The Uganda National Examination Board (UNEB) has unveiled its roadmap for the registration of candidates for the 2024 Primary Leaving Examination (PLE), Uganda Certificate of Education (UCE), and Uganda Advanced Certificate of Education (UACE). The announcement, made through a press release, also highlighted strict penalties for schools and headmasters engaging in malpractices.
Penalties for Charging Unauthorized Fees
According to the UNEB Act 2021, section 33, it is illegal for schools to charge fees not prescribed by UNEB and label them as ‘UNEB Fees. “Heads of Centres and School Directors who violate this provision face penalties of up to 40 million shillings or a maximum of ten years in prison, or both,” according to the release. They will also be required to refund the overcharged amount to the affected students or their sponsors. UNEB will withdraw the examination centre of any offending school, and deregister the head teacher if they are a registered teacher.
Misappropriation of Registration Fees
UNEB has warned that all registration fees must be remitted to the Board, ensuring that students are duly registered. “Failure to do so is an offense under section 32 of the UNEB Act 2021,” the release states, and carries similar penalties as charging unauthorized fees. Convicted individuals will also be required to compensate the affected students.
Fraudulent Registration Practices
Heads of government-aided schools are cautioned against registering privately sponsored candidates as government-sponsored ones, a fraudulent practice causing financial loss to the government. Offenders will be required to pay twice the defrauded amount and will face penalties under relevant fraud laws. The examination centre number of such schools will also be withdrawn.
Candidate Verification and Registration
Schools are mandated to display the register of candidates and ensure the accuracy of their biodata. Candidates must verify their details, including name spelling, birthdate, gender, photograph, and subjects offered, and sign off on them. UNEB will facilitate verification by allowing parents and guardians to check their children’s registration status via SMS to 6600.
Upcoming Examinations
UNEB will conduct four sets of examinations this year: PLE, UCE (Old and New Curricula), and UACE. For the first time, the UCE will include examinations based on the New Lower Secondary Curriculum (NLSC). The UCE-Transitional Examination (UCE-TE) will also be offered as a one-off opportunity for those wishing to be assessed under the old curriculum.
Continuous Assessment and Project Scores
Continuous Assessment (CA) is a crucial part of the NLSC, contributing 20 percent to the final grade. Schools must submit CA scores between June 4 and October 4, 2024. UNEB is currently training secondary school teachers in Competency-Based and Continuous Assessment Skills and data collection using the Assessment Management Information System (AMIIS) tool.
Registration Deadlines and Fees
Normal registration for all candidates closes on May 31, 2024, with a late registration period attracting a surcharge. The government will cover the registration fees for candidates under Universal Primary Education (UPE), Universal Secondary Education (USE), and the Universal Post O-Level Education and Training Program (UPOLET).
Fees for Privately Sponsored Candidates
- PLE: 34,000 UGX
- UCE: 164,000 UGX
- UACE: 186,000 UGX
UNEB’s new measures and penalties underscore its commitment to maintaining the integrity and fairness of Uganda’s examination system, ensuring that all candidates are treated equitably and transparently.