The 2020 Uganda Advanced Certificate of Education (UACE) examination results show that female candidates outshone their Male counterparts.
According to UNEB statement on results released today, a total of 97,490 candidates sat for the examination compared to 103,429 in 2019, a decrease of 5,989 candidates (5.8%). However, the rate of absenteeism of candidates at UACE in 2020 remained about the same at 1.0% in 2019, but has been reducing over the last five years.
Of the 97,490 who sat in 2020, 41.9% (40,848) were females while 58.1% of the total candidates who sat were males. The total number of candidates with special needs were 208 as compared to 205 in 2019.
Overall, 2020 UACE results showed a better performance of candidates than that of 2019 with a very high percentage of candidates (99.2%) qualified for the award of the UACE, more than the 98.6% of 2019.
As was the case last year, female candidates although fewer, performed better than their male counterparts did.
In terms of percentages, female candidates performed better than their male counterparts at the principal level pass (A-E) in Arts (Humanities), Mathematics and Physics.
In terms of overall performance, 68,013 candidates (69.8%) attained a of minimum two Principals level required for University admission which is 2,290 more than in 2019. In cases where one Principal and two Subsidiary passes levels are considered for admission to other tertiary institutions, 89.3% of the candidates will qualify.
The percentage passes at the upper levels (3P and 2P) are higher, while percentage passes and at the lower levels and failure rate among female candidates are lower than for the males.
Male candidates were better in Agriculture, Chemistry, Biology, Art, and General Paper. Female entries for the Sciences and Mathematics have remained far lower than that of the males. Only 26.7% sat for Mathematics, 6.9% for Physics, 13.2% for Chemistry; and 12.3% for Biology.
The released UACE results for 2020 also show overall improvement in all the subjects apart from Literature in English. Although there is a drop in the number of candidates registered this year, entries for the Science subjects and Mathematics increased significantly compared to entries for 2019. Entries for Sciences are, however, much lower than for the Arts subjects.
UNEB notes that Candidates who scored grades A and B demonstrated high levels of knowledge of the subject matter and were able to handle tasks that required high order skills. Their work in the practical examination papers also showed ability to manipulate apparatus, ability to record observations correctly reflecting the accuracy level of the instruments used, and ability to manipulate the data generated correctly.
Candidates at lower levels demonstrated adequate to basic mastery of the subject matter. Their performance was undermined by misunderstanding of questions, inability to explain, interpret, offer logical arguments or illustrations and specific examples to qualify their answers. Better answers were seen in parts of questions that are more direct. Some zero scores were recorded in many papers.
In Economics and Entrepreneurship Education, candidates showed lack of knowledge in the vital concepts of Taxation and the Stock market. There is evidence that many teachers are either also deficient in these areas, or do not teach the
topics due to inadequate syllabus coverage.
The number of candidates registered under the UPOLET programme was 17,647 (17.9%) of total candidature compared to 19,361 in 2019 (18.5% of total candidature). The decrease of candidature at this level has been much more than at UCE.
MALPRACTICE AND IRREGULARITIES
UNEB noted that cases of malpractice at this level have remained low. The reported ones, according to UNEB, have been mainly external assistance in Mathematics, Biology and Computer studies. The candidates whose results have been withheld will be accorded a fair hearing before passing a final verdict.
ACCESS TO UACE RESULTS AND COLLECTION OF RESULTS SLIPS
UACE results have been uploaded on each centre portal and heads of centre can download the results. Hard copies of the results will be available from UNEB Ntinda offices when the situation becomes more favourable. All centres will be informed accordingly.
A number of heads of centre have not been keen on cross-checking the results of their candidates and sending queries/amendments in time. We advise them to do so and personally submit their queries/amendments to the Board electronically through their portals not later than fifteen working days after the release of the results.
Interested persons may access the results of individual candidates through SMS. Please go to the Message menu, then type UACE, leave a space then type the correct index number of the candidate, e.g. U0000/501 and send to 6600.
The service is available on MTN and AIRTEL networks.