The schools in Uganda tested their students in a new way this year. Some students took the old test for the last time, and others took a brand new test that helped them learn better things. Many young people took these tests. There were more girls than boys who wrote the tests.
The person in charge of testing, Mr Dan Odongo, said most students did well. They learned good things in subjects like Art, History, and Math. The students had some problems with Science and English. When they did science experiments, many students found it hard to understand what they needed to do. In English class, many students needed help using better words and writing better summaries.
Teachers caught some students cheating on their tests. This happened mostly in science classes, where teachers gave students the answers before the test. The people who checked the tests said this was wrong and they would look into it.
The schools changed how they mark the tests. Instead of using words like "distinction" or "pass," they use letters like A, B, C, D, and E. Students need to score at least a D in one subject to pass their tests. Students must take eight or nine subjects to finish school.
Mrs Janet Museveni, who runs all the schools in Uganda, asked everyone to like these new changes. She said the old system made schools compete poorly. She also told schools not to show everyone's test scores because it might make some students feel bad.
The schools will pick new students for the next class on February 20 and 21. All these students will start their new school year on March 3, 2025. Anyone who thinks there might be a mistake in their test scores can ask the testing office to check within 15 days.
The person in charge of testing, Mr Dan Odongo, said most students did well. They learned good things in subjects like Art, History, and Math. The students had some problems with Science and English. When they did science experiments, many students found it hard to understand what they needed to do. In English class, many students needed help using better words and writing better summaries.
Teachers caught some students cheating on their tests. This happened mostly in science classes, where teachers gave students the answers before the test. The people who checked the tests said this was wrong and they would look into it.
The schools changed how they mark the tests. Instead of using words like "distinction" or "pass," they use letters like A, B, C, D, and E. Students need to score at least a D in one subject to pass their tests. Students must take eight or nine subjects to finish school.
Mrs Janet Museveni, who runs all the schools in Uganda, asked everyone to like these new changes. She said the old system made schools compete poorly. She also told schools not to show everyone's test scores because it might make some students feel bad.
The schools will pick new students for the next class on February 20 and 21. All these students will start their new school year on March 3, 2025. Anyone who thinks there might be a mistake in their test scores can ask the testing office to check within 15 days.
