What You Need to Know About 2024 PLE Results

Fewer candidates made it to Division 1 this year, which raises questions about how we’re preparing our learners for the tougher questions.

The much-anticipated 2024 Primary Leaving Examination (PLE) results are finally out! Released on Thursday by the Uganda National Examinations Board (UNEB), they paint a fascinating picture of Uganda’s education landscape.

This year’s exams were conducted with the theme “Embracing Security and Holistic Assessment of Learners in a Dynamic Environment” a reminder of how much our education system is adapting to the times.

On the numbers that matter, they’re quite something. Over 797,000 pupils sat for the exams in 2024. That’s a 6.4% jump from the previous year, and guess what?

Girls are still leading the way, making up a solid 52.5% of the candidates. It’s always inspiring to see more girls completing their primary education, isn’t it?

Inclusivity also stood out for 2024. There were 3,328 learners with special needs who sat the exams—a 25% increase compared to 2023. And it doesn’t stop there!

UNEB also extended education opportunities to inmates, with 71 from Luzira and 37 from Mbarara prisons taking part. It’s amazing to see how education is being used to uplift everyone, no matter their circumstances.

Social Studies was the standout subject, while English took a bit of a dip compared to the previous year.

Boys seem to have the upper hand in Mathematics and Science, but the girls held their ground in English.

Interestingly, 91.8% of the pupils passed, with about half scoring Division 2.

But here’s the catch—fewer candidates made it to Division 1 this year, which raises questions about how we’re preparing our learners for the tougher questions.

And let’s talk about accessibility. UNEB continues to make it it super easy for schools and parents to access results.

Schools can download them from portals, and parents can even get them via SMS. No more waiting forever to find out how your child did.

Of course, it wasn’t all smooth sailing. Some exam malpractice cases were reported, but UNEB acted swiftly, with arrests made and strong action taken to uphold integrity.

Overall, the results show progress and resilience in our education system, but they also remind us of areas that need a little more attention.