The Uganda National Examinations Board (UNEB) has released new guidelines allowing Senior Four (S.4) repeaters and learners affected by transition challenges under the Competency-Based Curriculum (CBC) to continue their studies.
In a circular dated March 17, 2026, and signed by Executive Director Dan N. Odongo, the Board directed headteachers across the country to admit learners who sat for the Uganda Certificate of Education (UCE) in 2024 and 2025 but wish to repeat, as well as those who completed Senior Three (S.3) but were unable to transition to S.4.
The move comes amid a growing number of learners seeking a second chance within the new curriculum framework, which emphasises continuous assessment alongside final examinations.
Strict conditions for admission
UNEB said schools must ensure that all eligible learners meet specific requirements, particularly in relation to Continuous Assessment (CA), which forms a key component of the CBC grading system.
Under the new guidelines, repeaters will be required to attend S.4 classes throughout 2026 and participate in regular school-based assessments. Schools must also compile and submit CA scores for Activities of Integration (AOI) and subject achievement for the first two terms of the year.
In addition, learners repeating S.4 will be expected to review and complete their project work, while those resuming from S.3 must continue with their ongoing projects for submission to UNEB.
The Board further emphasised that candidates must maintain consistency in the subjects they registered for while in S.3.
Addressing transition challenges
Education stakeholders say the directive provides clarity for schools that have been uncertain about how to handle repeaters under the CBC system, which relies heavily on cumulative assessment records.
UNEB clarified that only learners who were assessed during their S.3 year, with scores already submitted to the Board’s system, will qualify under the new arrangement.
Headteachers have also been reminded to adhere to submission timelines issued earlier in February 2026 to ensure that all eligible candidates are properly registered for the upcoming examination cycle.
The new guidelines are expected to ease the transition into the CBC while ensuring that no learner is left behind during the ongoing education reforms.