In the 2023 Primary Leaving Examination (PLE) in Uganda, a higher percentage of candidates achieved Division 3 and above compared to the previous year, reflecting a performance level similar to 2022.
Dan Odongo, Executive Director of the Uganda National Examinations Board (Uneb), highlighted concerns about the significant number of candidates receiving U-grades, emphasizing the need to prevent them from becoming school dropouts.
The total number of candidates who sat for the exams decreased by 83,400 compared to 2022, with 749,254 pupils registered across 15,859 school centers.
Uneb attributes the surge in candidature in 2022 to the delays caused by the Covid-19 pandemic.
Minister of Education Janet Museveni announced the selection dates for S1 learners and the adoption of a full primary school curriculum and revised O’Level curriculum from 2024 onwards.
Notably, U-grade results render candidates ineligible for admission to Senior One, underlining the importance of addressing this issue within the education system.