Uneb Boss’ Proposed New PLE Grading System: From Aggregate Scores to Total Marks

Assessment body Uganda National Examinations Board (Uneb) board chairperson Prof Celestino Obua has explained his proposed new PLE grading system which seeks a shift from aggregate scores to total marks.

Prof Obua had a suitable audience for his proposed new PLE grading system at the inauguration of the new Uneb board after taking the oath for his second term of office.

He said the current grading system was causing a lot of anguish among candidates, especially those who narrowly miss the top mark.

Prof Obua suggested that candidates should instead be ranked based on the actual scores obtained in all subjects, as was the case before 1983, when the current aggregate system was introduced.

“What if we used absolute marks? If four subjects are supposed to garner 400 marks, you grade the children according to what their total score is,” he said.

“There should be a certain ranking of students based on the actual scores obtained, so that if you want to admit 100 children in Senior One, you rank them according to their total score.”

In Prof Obua’s view, the current grading system is unfair. “I hope you appreciate the gap I’m talking about that exists between someone who scores an Aggregate 4 and an Aggregate 8.”

The professor illustrated the scoring difference. “For example, if the cut-off point for a distinction one is 80 marks, the person who scores 80 percent throughout will get 320 marks out of 400, which is equivalent to Aggregate of 4,” noting further that a candidate who scores 79 percent in all subjects gets 316 marks out of 400 or about gets Aggregate 8.

“The magical Aggregate 4 is giving a lot of anguish to children.”

He also cautioned teachers against derailing learners with questions obtained from examination bureaus, saying such questions were simply confusing learners and are not based on the syllabus.

“Examination bureaus are a problem. They are misguiding certain teachers. They disguise themselves by using the Uneb letterhead, and then they present as if it originates from Uneb, to make money,” he noted.

“Schools should not waste their time going for the so‑called examination bureaus. You find a pupil being marked and graded by a classroom teacher, and some of them are doing so to get favours from the school proprietors.”

He added: “Some parents are duped with the idea that their child is Aggregate 4 material, but when that does not happen, this becomes an issue.”

There have been questions on PLE 2025 grading system after most top schools failed to get aggregate 4s yet minister Muyingo’s school got so many, as reported Here.

You can see lists of best performing schools Here, There and Over There.