In 2005 when my primary leaving examinations (PLE) results were released, there was confusion at home since both my parents had different schools of thoughts about my post primary education. This is how I got two admission letters in a day, one from Iganga Parents in the morning and another one from Bugembe Islamic Institute in the afternoon as preferred by my mother and father respectively.
The usual trend of every student picking results after examination releases should be stopped since many students and families have no access to quality and free careers education services that would guide them make informed decisions about post primary education and training choices and pathways.
Just like the briefing by Uganda national examination board before examinations, the same is needed after the release such that candidates and their families can have unbiased and heart to heart conversations about post primary education and training choices and this can be multi-sectoral with training institutions,industries,assessment bodies, recruitment agencies.
For example out of 640,833 candidates that sat PLE in 2016 only 330,592 sat Uganda certificate of education with repeaters in mind and 4,895 sat Uganda Community Polytechnic Certificate after four and three years respectively.This makes it clear that a large share of 205,602 candidates did not continue with their education even if we consider work based learning options.
The Primary Leaving Examinations (PLE) results of 2022 released indicate that 700,000 candidates qualify for post primary education and 117,953 don’t qualify, how as a country we make transition inclusive for all is key to our national development and progress.
I strongly believe and propose that we introduce transition briefing into our academic calendar for all levels to enable those disadvantaged to access free and quality careers education, information, advice and guidance that will improve our transition rates either within the education/training cycle or from training to employment.
MULIHI BUMALI
TVET CHAMPION & MEMBER NATIONAL CAREERS WEEK UK.
0789411425
mulihib@gmail.com
