2024 PLE results: Inmates excel

The Uganda National Examinations Board (UNEB) on Thursday reported a significant increase in the number of learners with special needs who registered for the 2024 Primary Leaving Examinations (PLE).

According to UNEB Executive Director Dan N. Odongo, 3,328 students with special needs applied for the exams, up from 2,652 in 2023.

These included those who were blind, deaf, physically disabled, or dyslexic, demonstrating UNEB’s ongoing commitment to inclusive education.

Odongo also noted that candidates had improved their performance in key subjects such as Social Studies and Religious Education, Integrated Science, and Mathematics.

However, the ED noted a drop in English performance compared to 2023, indicating areas that require additional focus and support.

The 2024 PLE results confirmed a positive trend in which more girls completed the primary education cycle than boys. Of the 797,459 candidates, 52.5% were female (418,750), and 47.5% were male (378,709).

Overall, he said the performance improved, with 91.8% of candidates passing the exams, compared to 88.0% in 2023. In addition, the number of candidates achieving Division 2 or higher increased, indicating that educational outcomes have improved overall.

In terms of individual performance, 84,301 candidates (10.7%) passed in Division 1, 397,589 in Division 2, 165,284 in Division 3, and 75,556 in Division 4.

A total of 64,251 candidates failed the exams, rendering them ineligible for Senior One admission.

While there was an overall increase in the number of candidates passing in Divisions 2 and above, there was a slight decrease in the number of Division 1 compared to the previous year.

Notably, male candidates performed better than females, with a lower overall failure rate. However, more girls competed in Division 2 and lower divisions, most likely due to the greater number of female candidates who registered for the exams.

Candidates at Luzira Upper Prison School have made significant progress in prison education. Of the 51 candidates, four passed in Division 1, 36 in Division 2, 13 in Division 3, and six in Division 4.

There were no ungraded candidates, even though 12 did not take the exam.

Similarly, at Mbarara Main Prison Inmates Primary School, 37 candidates took the exams, with four achieving Division 1, 20 in Division 2, 10 in Division 3, and 3 in Division 4, and no ungraded candidates.

These results reflect significant progress in Uganda’s education system, particularly in fostering inclusivity and improving overall performance.

However, the decline in English performance emphasizes the importance of targeted interventions to ensure consistent growth across all subjects.

UNEB says it is still committed to improving educational equity and quality, as well as supporting diverse learners while addressing emerging challenges.

Janet Museveni, Minister of Education and Sports and First Lady, officially released the PLE results at the State House in Nakasero.

She announced that senior one classes would begin on February 17, 2025.

Selections to senior one (S1) classes, she says, are beginning on January 30 to 31.