Rédaction Africa Links 24 with Shabibah Nakirigya
Published on 2024-01-31 11:42:34
During the release of the November/ December 2023 Uganda Community Polytechnic Certificate (UCPC) results, Uganda Business and Technical Examinations Board (UBTEB) executive secretary, Mr Onesmus Oyesigye, expressed concern over the high cost of conducting practical assessments. He pointed out that insufficient equipment such as computers, high internet connectivity costs, and inadequate human resources in some training institutions have affected the smooth conduct of examinations.
Out of the 4,344 candidates who sat for the exams, 93% successfully acquired all competencies in their respective trades. Furthermore, despite low enrollment of females in technical TVET programs, the few who enroll perform very well and acquire all the competencies. Mr Oyesigye commended the affirmative interventions by the Government and TVET stakeholders aimed at attracting more females to skilling centers.
He also urged the government to fast-track the enactment of the Technical, Vocational Education and Training (TVET) law to regulate, monitor, and hold all TVET players accountable for the quality of TVET delivery and assessment. Additionally, Dr. Silver Mugisha, the UBTEB chairperson, emphasized the need to prioritize the development of the TVET Qualifications Framework to provide guidance on the recognition of prior learning and called for deliberate intervention to admit more TVET trainees to UCPC programs.
Dr. Mugisha highlighted the importance of ICT in the TVET sector to improve operational effectiveness, transparency, and accountability in the examinations management processes. He urged a shift from analog to ICT, emphasizing the importance of adapting to the digital age for efficiency.
The First Lady and Minister of Education and Sports, Janet Museveni, commended the board for the timely release of examination results and encouraged more trainees to make TVET their preferred career choice. She also praised the role of the world of work in supporting TVET delivery and assessment. Minister Museveni attributed the good results obtained in the 2023 exams to recent reforms such as modularized TVET delivery and assessment.
She directed principals of TVET institutions to give 2023 graduates priority in 2024 admission for national certificate programs and urged all Primary Seven Leavers to consider TVET as their first career choice. Overall, the release of the UCPC results highlighted the achievements and challenges in the TVET sector, emphasizing the need for continued support and improvement.
Read the original article on Uganda Monitor
