The 2024 Primary Leaving Examination (PLE) results indicate improved overall performance compared to 2023, with 91.8% of candidates passing compared to 88.0% last year.
“However, there was a notable drop in the number of candidates achieving Division 1,” said UNEB Executive Director, Dan Odongo, while releasing the results at State House, Nakasero.
The majority of candidates scored aggregates between 11 and 30, with the highest aggregate being 4 and the lowest 36. Despite the overall improvement, Division U (Ungraded) was awarded to candidates who failed to reach the minimum Division 4 level, making them ineligible for admission to Senior One.
Performance by Subject
Candidates excelled in Social Studies & Religious Studies, Integrated Science, and Mathematics. However, English performance declined compared to 2023. Distinction scores dropped across all subjects, attributed to challenges in answering higher-order application questions.
An item response analysis revealed: fewer than 20% of candidates exhibited higher ability levels in any subject and higher ability was more prevalent in Mathematics and English (17%) compared to Integrated Science and Social Studies (14%).
About two-thirds of candidates demonstrated medium ability in Mathematics, English, and Social Studies, while 60% showed the same in Integrated Science. Lower ability was most pronounced in Integrated Science (24%) and English (17.2%).
Examination Malpractice
The Uganda National Examinations Board (UNEB) reported incidents of malpractice in four centers where headteachers and invigilators aided candidates by opening envelopes prematurely and solving questions.
A total of 68 suspects have been arrested, with 12 convictions secured. UNEB commended judicial officers for appropriate sentencing, which has deterred malpractice. Odongo said many of the perpetrators of examination malpractice are finding the habit very costly.
“In accordance with Section 5(2) (b) of the UNEB Act, Cap 259 the Board will withhold the results of the affected candidates pending completion of investigations. Where there will be a prima facie case, the Board’s Tribunal (Examinations Security Committee) will accord all the affected candidates a fair hearing before making final decisions.”
Challenges in Learning Areas
The analysis highlighted difficulties candidates faced, particularly with: solving word problems and applying concepts in Mathematics, drawing inferences and writing structured compositions in English, practical competences, such as creating electromagnets, in Integrated Science and explaining the influence of human activity on climate and population census benefits in Social Studies.
Results Collection
Schools can access results through the UNEB portal starting January 27, 2025. Parents and candidates may use the SMS service to obtain individual results. Queries regarding name spellings and other details must be submitted within two weeks of the release date.
Instructions to get PLE Results by SMS
- Go to Messages on the phone menu
- Type PLE
- Leave space
- Type the full index number of the candidate
- Send to 6600 on the MTN and Airtel networks.
Despite the challenges in achieving higher distinctions and Division 1 results, Odongo praised the progress and expressed gratitude to stakeholders for ensuring smooth examination delivery.
The focus now shifts to addressing learning gaps and bolstering teaching strategies to enable candidates to better tackle higher-order questions and practical competences in future examinations.