Kampala, Uganda — The Uganda National Examinations Board (UNEB) has released detailed figures on candidate registration, special groups, and performance trends for the 2024 Primary Leaving Examination (PLE). The report, which covers the last five years, provides a comprehensive overview of the number of candidates, the inclusion of special needs groups, and the overall examination performance. Additionally, UNEB has presented an item response analysis that highlights the ability levels of candidates in key subjects.
Registration Figures for the Last Five Years: An Overview of Trends
Over the last five years, the total number of candidates registered for the PLE has seen a steady increase, reflecting both demographic growth and improved access to education across Uganda. The 2024 PLE registration reached a record 797,444 candidates from 14,883 centres (schools), marking a 6.4% increase from the 749,347 candidates in 2023.
The breakdown for the last five years is as follows:
| Year | UPE Candidates | Non-UPE Candidates | Total Candidates | Number of Centres |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 524,025 (65.7%) | 273,419 (34.3%) | 797,444 | 14,883 |
| 2023 | 501,602 (67.0%) | 247,652 (33.0%) | 749,254 | 14,859 |
| 2022 | 583,672 (70.1%) | 248,982 (29.9%) | 832,654 | 14,691 |
| 2021 | 513,085 (68.4%) | 236,677 (31.6%) | 749,762 | 14,300 |
| 2020 | 473,893 (68.0%) | 221,911 (32.0%) | 695,804 | 13,475 |
This data reveals that the number of candidates has increased annually, with 2024 showing the highest registration numbers. The proportion of Universal Primary Education (UPE) candidates remains dominant at 65.7%, though the number of non-UPE candidates has also risen, constituting 34.3% of the total.
Registration of Special Groups: Inclusion of Vulnerable Populations
The 2024 PLE continued to prioritize inclusivity, with special groups receiving focused attention. UNEB has highlighted the increased registration of Special Needs Education (SNE) candidates, demonstrating significant progress in ensuring that learners with disabilities have access to examination opportunities.
- Special Needs Candidates: A total of 3,328 candidates with special needs registered for the 2024 PLE, compared to 2,652 in 2023. This marks a 25.5% increase. Among these candidates, 52.1% were male, and 47.9% were female, reflecting continued efforts to ensure gender inclusivity in special education.
- Prison Inmates: UNEB also registered candidates from Uganda’s correctional facilities, with 71 candidates from Uganda Government Upper Prison, Luzira (70 males and 1 female) and 37 candidates from Mbarara Main Prison (all males). This initiative underscores the importance of education for all, regardless of circumstances, allowing inmates to sit for the PLE while serving their sentences.
The inclusion of special groups, including students with disabilities and prisoners, reflects Uganda’s commitment to ensuring educational opportunities for marginalized populations.
Overall Numbers of Candidates Registered and Those Who Sat the Examination
The 2024 PLE saw 797,444 candidates officially registered, of whom 786,981 candidates sat the examination. This results in an absentee rate of just 1.3%, the lowest in the last five years, as indicated in the table below:
| Year | Total Registered | Total Sat | Absentees | Absentee Rate (%) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 797,444 | 786,981 | 10,463 | 1.3 |
| 2023 | 749,254 | 736,931 | 12,323 | 1.6 |
| 2022 | 832,654 | 811,810 | 20,844 | 2.5 |
| 2021 | 749,762 | 736,942 | 12,820 | 1.7 |
| 2020 | 695,804 | 683,302 | 12,502 | 1.8 |
The absentee rate has significantly decreased, which is a positive indicator of the increasing engagement and preparedness of candidates.
Response Analysis of 2024 PLE Candidates
UNEB’s item response analysis provides a deeper look at the proficiency levels of candidates in the four core subjects of the PLE: Mathematics, English, Integrated Science, and Social Studies & Religious Studies. The analysis categorized candidates into three performance levels: higher ability, medium ability, and lower ability.
Mathematics
- Higher Ability: 17.4% of candidates demonstrated strong proficiency in Mathematics, indicating an ability to solve complex problems and apply mathematical concepts.
- Medium Ability: The majority of candidates, 67.9%, exhibited medium ability, showing basic understanding but struggling with more challenging tasks.
- Lower Ability: 14.7% of candidates struggled with Mathematics, often facing difficulties in applying knowledge to unfamiliar problems.
English
- Higher Ability: 17.0% of candidates demonstrated a high level of proficiency in English, particularly in reading comprehension and composition.
- Medium Ability: 65.8% showed an adequate understanding, while some struggled with higher-order language tasks.
- Lower Ability: 17.2% of candidates were classified as lower ability, indicating significant challenges in language skills.
Integrated Science
- Higher Ability: 14.3% of candidates displayed strong understanding and application of scientific concepts.
- Medium Ability: 61.8% demonstrated satisfactory knowledge, with room for improvement in applying scientific principles.
- Lower Ability: 24.0% of candidates faced challenges with Integrated Science, often struggling with more complex scientific concepts.
Social Studies & Religious Studies
- Higher Ability: 14.7% of candidates exhibited advanced comprehension in Social Studies and Religious Studies.
- Medium Ability: The majority, 69.5%, showed basic proficiency, with some difficulty in applying their knowledge.
- Lower Ability: 15.8% of candidates struggled with understanding key concepts in Social Studies and Religious Studies.
Key Takeaways
- Overall Increase in Registration: The 2024 PLE saw an increase in the total number of candidates, particularly in the UPE category, which reflects ongoing educational improvements and outreach efforts.
- Inclusivity: UNEB’s commitment to including special needs candidates and prison inmates is evident in the increased participation of these groups in the examination.
- Performance Levels: The analysis indicates that a majority of candidates fall within the medium ability category across all subjects, with significant room for improvement in Mathematics, English, and Integrated Science.
- Positive Absentee Trend: The low absentee rate of 1.3% in 2024 is a positive indicator of increased participation and commitment to the examination process.
These findings suggest that while Uganda’s education system continues to make strides in access and inclusivity, focused efforts are still required to improve performance in key subjects, especially Mathematics and Integrated Science. The ongoing support for special groups and the continual increase in overall registration figures are crucial to achieving more equitable education outcomes.
