Kampala-The recently introduced modular assessment for business and technical studies is a success, the Uganda Business and Technical Examinations Board (UBTEB) has revealed. As a result, the board has decided to add more programs and expand the application of the modular assessment to the diploma level.
The board rolled out the modular assessment system this year in an effort to increase accessibility and flexibility in training and acquisition of employable skills. For certificate levels, the system drew learners from all backgrounds including those without formal qualifications.
Speaking at the release of the July/August 2022 series results, Onesmus Oyesigye, the UBTEB Executive Secretary, said that 74 percent of the first cohort of trainees who underwent modular assessment have been able to qualify for the award of Certificate of Competency in their respective skills and trades.
This represents 21, 931 trainees out of 29,466 who are now free to enter the workforce using the competency certificate issued by the board. Those who are interested can proceed with additional modules to complete the program as the board has packed it, depending on their needs.
With this new system, the UBTEB was also able to provide a conducive examination environment for 41 candidates with special needs. These include (06) candidates with hearing impairment, Visual impairment (06), dyslexia (12), Mentally challenged (03), and others (14).
Oyesigye noted by design, the traditional assessment has not been favoring such groups of people with many of them failing to attain certification yet they have the skills.
Dr. Silver Mugisha, the chairperson of UBTEB, also noted that the Board is changing in a phased manner from the traditional assessment to modularized assessment.
Dr. Mugisha further added that with the impressive results from the first cohort under the National Certificate and Uganda Communities Polytechnics Certificate category. The board has decided to roll out diploma programs in the incoming admissions.
John Chrysostom Muyingo, the minister in charge of higher education, also noted that the ministry was impressed to note the great strides made by the Board in implementing the priorities of the Government in skills development through the modular assessment.
Muyingo however noted that with these changes in training and assessment, employers should be also brought on board to ensure that those who might not create their own jobs can be easily absorbed.
In general, out of the 36,941 candidates who took the examinations across the board, including those on the traditional assessment system, 28,050 accounting for 76 percent effectively acquired all competencies in their respective trades.
Technical Higher Diploma programs showed very good performance with 99 percent competency levels. However, there were certain modules in which, candidates could not demonstrate the anticipated competencies, particularly in the technical certificate modular assessment in areas such as automotive, motor vehicle mechanics, Hairdressing and body therapy, and Building Construction among others.
Before the results were released, Oyesigye also observed that although there has been a reduction in examination malpractice, some cases are still being registered from different centers. According to Oyesigye, 33 cases were filed this year, and following investigations, the results of 28 candidates have been cancelled.
The fact that there is cheating in TVET exams shocked Minister Muyingo, who then called for action to stop it in order to eliminate any risk and harm that artisans and technicians of such could do in their various trades.
Source: URN
