KAMPALA – The Uganda Business and Technical Examinations Board (UBTEB) has revealed plans to close the unemployment gap in Uganda through practical skilling initiatives.
Speaking at the 15th UBTEB examinations results release ceremony in Kyambogo-Banda, State Minister for Higher Education J.C Muyingo noted the role of UBTEB towards skilling of Ugandans.
He congratulated the new board and commended the new board chairman Dr. Eng Silver Mugisha for the strategic plans the board has set for UBTEB.
“I loved his commitment and strategic plans in his speech today. I assure you of maximum support from the Minister of Education and Sports and the entire sector at large.
He urged UBTEB to take lead in guiding the Government of Uganda, parents and student’s in drafting solutions to the unemployment challenges.
He discussed the government’s commitment towards skilling the people of Uganda
Commissioner BTVET who represented the P.S shared that the curriculum has been revised, making it a more competent based training in partnership with the world skills.
“The move will help define the content and training methods of the curriculum. We are also collaborating with industries i.e NWSC to create industrial training opportunities for our students.
UBTEB Board chairman Dr. Eng Silver Mugisha said that it is not helpful for the industry to continue complaining of inadequately trained students from vocational skills when there is scope to work together with the industry and training institutions in a mutually beneficial manner.
“Skills are not taught in school. They are acquired on the job. We need to allow students learn, be assessed and graduate with passion for what they studied.” he said
Dr. Silver added that the board will soon sign MOUs with; the Uganda Institution of Professional Engineers (UIPE), Uganda Small Scale Industries Association among others to leverage the acquisition of hands-on skills by the Technical Vocational Education Training institutions students in form of apprenticeships, industrial training and job placements
He committed the board’s focus on financial sustainability, staff development and engagement, robust managerial systems and stakeholder management
He reiterated UBTEB’s commitment as a center of excellence for comptence based assessment, examinations and awards
According to UBTEB Executive Secretary Onesmus Oyesiga, the number of accredited examination centres now stands at 562.
A total of 7,006 (2,638 Female & 4,368 Male) candidates registered for final year examinations. Out of this number, 5,656 sat the examinations while 1,350 missed to do some modules. Of these, 4,023 successfully completed the programmes.
In accordance with the Statutory Instrument 2009,No.9 on establishment of Uganda Business and Technical Examinations Board , UBTEB released the 15th end of programme examinations results.
Mr. Oyesigye added that Uganda Business and Technical Examinations Board (UBTEB) conducted the end of programme examinations series for over 7,006 candidates from 175 examination centres on 17th May 2019 to 17th June 2019. Of these candidates, a total of 2,638 are female and 4,368 Male.
The students completed their studies in the following academic programmes;
I. Technical Diploma programmes
II. Business Diploma programmes
III. Business Certificate programmes
IV. Physical and Biological Diploma programmes
V. Physical and Biological Certificate programmes.
The Board re-affirms its commitment to ensuring quality assessment for appropriate skills development for socio-economic transformation and national development.
