Schools in Jinja City have recorded impressive results in the 2024 Uganda Certificate of Education (UCE) examinations, marking a successful start for the new curriculum.
Jinja College emerged at the top, with 81% of students excelling with As and Bs. This was followed by Goodhearted SS Jinja with 80%, and in third place, Holy Cross Lake View with 71%. Viva College School Wairaka came in fourth with 70%, while St. Mary’s Masese rounded out the top five.
At Jinja College, out of 230 students, 185 achieved As and Bs, performing exceptionally well in subjects such as English, CRE, History, Geography, Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry, Biology, Kiswahili, CST, Agriculture, Entrepreneurship, IPS, PE, and Project Work.
Mr. Michael Dhikusooka, the Head Teacher of Jinja College, expressed heartfelt gratitude to all stakeholders who contributed to the school’s outstanding performance. He extended special thanks to the supportive parents, the dedicated teachers, and the students who exceeded expectations.
Willy Nkumalwoto Wambwa emerged as the best student at Jinja College, with an exceptional performance of 8 As and 2 Bs.
At St. James Senior Secondary School, all 148 candidates achieved top grades, with English, Geography, History, Physics, and Mathematics being the best-performing subjects. Mr. Waapali Ivan, the school’s Director of Studies, expressed pride in the students’ performance, highlighting the significance of this being the first group to sit for exams under the new curriculum.
“We are thrilled with the results. Despite the challenges of adapting to the new curriculum, our students performed exceptionally well. This success is a testament to the hard work of the parents who kept their children in school,” Mr. Waapali said.
Similarly, St. Peter’s High School Magwa reported strong performance, with 52 out of 55 registered candidates sitting for the exams. Twenty students achieved grade A, while 33 scored grade B. Headmistress Madam Mary Olive Siima praised the new curriculum for its focus on equipping students with practical skills to address unemployment.
“The new curriculum is transformative. It trains students to become job creators rather than job seekers, which is crucial for tackling unemployment. The future looks bright,” Madam Siima stated.
The success of these schools highlights the potential of the new curriculum to reshape Uganda’s education system. Parents, teachers, and students have been lauded for their collective efforts in adapting to the changes and achieving remarkable results.
As Jinja City celebrates these achievements, educators are optimistic that the new curriculum will produce excellent graduates capable of addressing the country’s socio-economic challenges.
However, there have been many misinterpretations regarding the new grading system. ‘Result 1’ does not mean First Grade or Division One, as has been widely misunderstood in WhatsApp groups and some schools. Instead, it indicates that the student has qualified to receive both a certificate and a transcript. Pay attention to the letter grades, as they describe what the student can do in each subject. The transcript, once available, will provide detailed descriptions to help you understand the results better, and UNEB will communicate when the transcripts and certificates are ready.
Learner achievement in each subject is represented by a letter grade: A, B, C, D, or E, which reflects their competency level:
- A = Exceptional: Demonstrates extraordinary competency by applying knowledge and skills innovatively and creatively in real-life situations.
- B = Outstanding: Demonstrates a high level of competency by effectively applying acquired knowledge and skills in real-life situations.
- C = Satisfactory: Demonstrates an adequate level of competency in applying knowledge and skills in real-life situations.
- D = Basic: Demonstrates a minimum level of competency in applying knowledge and skills in real-life situations.
- E = Elementary: Demonstrates below the basic level of competency in applying knowledge and skills in real-life situations.
Learners who scored ‘A’ have demonstrated exceptional competency in that subject and can confidently choose it for further study, provided other factors remain favorable. Letter grades were determined by combining continuous assessment (20%) and end-of-cycle assessment (UNEB – UCE 2024) (80%).
A candidate qualifies for the UCE Certificate if they obtain at least a grade D in one subject. If the SMS (school) result displays ‘Result 3’ or ‘Result 2’ after entering the candidate’s index number, it means the learner does not qualify for a certificate but can still obtain a transcript. These learners need guidance on the next steps, and parents should seek advice from career teachers and mentors.
Schools should guide parents correctly without misleading them. Some children have received genuine grades, while for others, their grades may not fully reflect their true potential. Guide them based on your understanding of the child’s abilities, but do not impose decisions. Support them with the belief that, with the right mindset and opportunities, anything is achievable. As teachers, you play a crucial role in helping these learners reach their goals.
Parents should carefully analyze their child’s results and engage them in discussions about their next steps. Consider their results, passion, attitude, mindset, available resources like school fees, and the school environment.
If a child has scored A or B in a subject, they are competent to take it at A-Level. If they scored C or D and still wish to take that subject, they can, but they will require extra guidance and support.
