Vocational Studies Enrollment Surges with a 20% Increase, Says UBTEB

The Uganda Business and Technical Examinations Board (UBTEB) has disclosed a notable 20% rise in candidates enrolling for vocational studies, as revealed during the release of the Uganda Community Polytechnic Certificate (UCPC) results in Kampala.

According to Mr. Onesmus Oyesigye, the UBTEB Executive Secretary, 4,344 candidates participated in the November/December 2023 UCPC examinations, compared to 3,742 in the 2022 examinations. Of these candidates, 93% successfully acquired all competencies in their respective trades.

The breakdown showed that 89.5% of the 832 female candidates and 94.4% of the 3,512 male candidates acquired all competencies. In total, 97% of the candidates turned up for the examinations, while 3% were absent.

Despite the majority of trades being dominated by male candidates (80%), certain trades like Garment Design and Construction, Hair Dressing and Body Therapy, and Food Preparation and Processing remained predominantly female.

Mr. Oyesigye highlighted the challenges of high assessment costs for practical-dominated courses and on-spot practical assessments. He recommended the use of low-cost and community-centered development material for practical assessments to address funding gaps.

Education minister Janet Museveni commended the 20% increase in UCPC program registrations, emphasizing the government’s commitment to encouraging TVET as a preferred career choice. She mentioned affirmative actions, including scholarships for persons with special needs and girls, to support TVET programs.

Ms. Museveni attributed the good results to recent reforms, such as modularized TVET delivery and assessment. She urged TVET institutions to prioritize the 2023 graduates for admission in 2024 for national certificate programs.

Dr. Silver Mugisha, the UBTEB chairperson, urged the government to expedite the enactment of the TVET law to regulate and monitor all TVET players for quality delivery and assessment.