The Chairperson of the Uganda National Examinations Board (Uneb), Professor Celestino Obua, has commended the Competency-Based Curriculum (CBC) as a transformative framework for Uganda’s education system.
Prof Obua, who was speaking during the release of the 2025 Uganda Certificate of Education (UCE) results at State House on Friday February 13, noted that the board’s recent study, which consulted school administrators, teachers, and learners, confirms that the CBC equips students with essential skills for socio-economic development.
“Learners under the CBC research and construct knowledge, demonstrate creativity and innovation, and communicate more effectively,” he said.
The study, initiated to evaluate how learners under the CBC differ from those taught under the previous content-based curriculum, also highlighted areas needing improvement.
Key challenges include inadequate library and internet facilities, large class sizes, high project work expenses, limited time for research, and concerns over the integrity of Continuous Assessment (CA) scores.
Strengthening CA Processes
Prof Obua said Uneb takes the integrity of CA scores seriously. To address irregularities, the board plans rigorous monitoring and evaluation exercises across schools to ensure compliance with assessment guidelines.
Schools that submit scores late or fail to submit them will face appropriate sanctions.
According to the chairperson, delays are often attributed to limited internet access or lack of technical expertise.
The board also urged teachers, alongside Chief Administrative Officers and District Education Officers, to actively monitor CA processes and ensure timely submission of accurate scores.
Prof Obua congratulated all candidates who qualified for the award of the UCE certificate and assured those who wish to re-sit exams that their Senior 3 CA and project scores will be carried forward, eliminating the need to repeat the year.
He also praised teachers for adapting to the CBC despite limited specialized training. “The majority of teachers have done extremely well in implementing the CBC, even with the little training received,” he said, acknowledging their dedication. Parents and guardians were also thanked for their continued support of learners.
The release of the 2025 UCE results marks another milestone in Uganda’s efforts to implement the CBC fully, with Uneb taking proactive steps to maintain assessment standards while nurturing learners’ competencies for the nation’s growth.
