The 2023 PLE results show a mixed picture of performance, with some subjects improving while others remain stagnant. Overall, there is a need to continue efforts to improve the quality of education in Uganda, particularly in rural areas and for girls.
Performance in Core Subjects
The 2023 PLE results show a slight improvement in performance in English, Integrated Science, and Mathematics compared to 2022.
The percentage of candidates who scored at the Distinction 2 level increased in all three subjects, while the percentage of candidates who scored at the Credit 6 level also increased in English and Integrated Science. However, the improvement in Mathematics was marginal.
| Subject | Distinction 2 (%) | Credit 6 (%) | Pass 8 (%) |
|---|---|---|---|
| English | 7.8 | 60.6 | 52.6 |
| Integrated Science | 9.4 | 70.4 | 52.7 |
| Mathematics | 5.3 | 52.6 | 52.6 |
Performance in SST
Performance in Social Studies and Social Skills (SST) remained comparable to 2022. The percentage of candidates who scored at the Distinction 2 level remained almost the same, while the percentage of candidates who scored at the Credit 6 level decreased slightly.
| Subject | Distinction 2 (%) | Credit 6 (%) |
|---|---|---|
| SST | 9.4 | 70.4 |
PLE Registrations and UPE Beneficiaries
The number of PLE registrations has been increasing steadily over the last five years. In 2023, there were 749,254 registered candidates, an increase of 11.6% from 2022.
The proportion of UPE beneficiaries has also been increasing, reaching 66.9% in 2023. This suggests that the Universal Primary Education (UPE) program is having a positive impact on access to primary education.
| Year | PLE Registrations | UPE Beneficiaries (%) |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 749,254 | 66.9 |
Gender Differences
There are some notable differences in performance between male and female candidates. Males performed better than females in Division 1 and Division 2, while females had a slightly lower failure rate in Division U.
There were also some subject-specific differences, with females outperforming males in English and males outperforming females in Mathematics, Science, and SST.
| Gender | Division 1 (%) | Division 2 (%) | Division U (%) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Male | 13.26 | 46.09 | 10.72 |
| Female | 9.99 | 43.83 | 12.75 |
Conclusion
The 2023 PLE results provide some positive indicators, but there is still room for improvement. The Ugandan government should continue to invest in education, particularly in rural areas and for girls.
Additionally, efforts should be made to improve the quality of teaching and learning in all subjects.