(Kampala) – Uganda’s Technical Vocational Education and Training (TVET) exam results for the July/August session showed that 82% of candidates successfully completed their programmes, achieving the competencies required to enter the workforce or pursue further studies. The results were announced on Thursday, October 24, 2024, by Onesmus Oyesigye, executive secretary of the Uganda Business and Technical Examinations Board (UBTEB), at a ceremony presided over by First Lady and Minister of Education and Sports Janet Museveni at State House, Nakasero.
Out of 1,926 candidates who sat for the exams, 1,562 met all requirements. Oyesigye reported that 285 candidates (15%) earned Class I Distinction, 1,107 candidates (57%) scored Class II Credit, and 170 candidates (9%) achieved a Class III Pass. The event, also attended by Dr. Joyce Moriku Kaducu, the state minister for primary education, highlighted the government’s ongoing commitment to strengthening technical education in Uganda.
| Category | Number of Candidates | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| Class I (Distinction) | 285 | 15% |
| Class II (Credit) | 1,107 | 57% |
| Class III (Pass) | 170 | 9% |
| Total Passed | 1,562 | 82% |
The results further indicated a higher completion rate among female candidates, with 84% passing compared to an 80% pass rate among male candidates. Oyesigye attributed this to a strong commitment from female students in vocational programs, particularly at the diploma level. Female candidates outperformed their male counterparts in disciplines like Fashion and Garment Design, Mechanical Engineering, Architecture, and various business diplomas.
Candidates who attained full competencies are now expected to either join the workforce or continue with further education in their fields of study. The remaining 340 students, making up 18%, did not acquire all required competencies but will have the opportunity to improve by retaking the relevant modules in the next exam cycle.
According to Oyesigye, certain technical subjects such as Thermodynamics, Computer-aided Design, Engineering Surveying, and Engineering Mathematics contributed to the lower pass rates, primarily due to challenges in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) education at secondary levels. “Poor performance in STEM subjects at the high school and secondary levels remains a major challenge even when students join technical colleges,” Oyesigye noted.
The event also brought attention to the progress in Uganda’s technical education sector. There are now over 600 TVET institutions across Uganda, up from 173 in 2011, with approximately 70% of them privately owned. The expansion aims to foster a skilled workforce to meet Uganda’s economic needs.
The Ministry of Education and Sports has supported this growth with initiatives under the 2019 TVET Policy. This policy seeks to ensure that technical skills are recognized as essential to personal growth, economic productivity, and national income generation, moving beyond the sole focus on academic certification to practical competencies essential for the modern job market.
