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President Yoweri Museveni shares a light moment with nurse trainees in the past. PHOTO PPU |
The Ministry of Education and Sports is revisiting the admission requirements for nursing, midwifery, and other health-related certificate programs in response to recent changes in the Uganda Certificate of Education (UCE) grading system.
Dr. Safinah Kisu Musene, the acting commissioner for Higher Technical and Vocational Education and Training (HTVET), explained that the new UCE grading system has made the previous academic entry criteria outdated. As a result, the Ministry, in collaboration with the Ministries of Education and Health, is working on developing updated admission standards, which are expected to be announced before July, ahead of the next student intake.
Dr. Musene reassured that students who sat for UCE exams under the old grading system will still be able to apply based on the previous entry requirements.
Historically, candidates seeking admission into nursing and midwifery certificate programs were required to pass five core subjects—Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics, English, and Biology. Additionally, applicants needed to meet physical fitness standards, be free from disabilities, and be at least 18 years old.
However, UNEB’s recent shift from the traditional division-based grading system to a letter-based system (A, B, C, D, E) has led to a reassessment of these requirements. Under the new grading system, a grade D in any subject qualifies a student for a certificate. For Senior Five applicants, a grade D in each subject is required for progression to A-Level, complicating the eligibility process for many students.
The Ministry of Education is addressing various challenges that have emerged since the introduction of the new curriculum and assessment system. Currently, more than 6,900 students who failed to meet the new grading requirements are left uncertain about their academic futures. Education experts have criticized the ministry for implementing the revised curriculum without fully assessing its impact, leaving the ministry to react to emerging issues instead of proactively planning solutions.
In the past, nursing and teaching were popular career options for Senior Four graduates who did not proceed to A-Level. However, following a 2019 restructuring that required all teachers to hold a degree, teaching programs became accessible only to those who completed Senior Six, narrowing options for Senior Four leavers. As a result, nursing became one of the primary career paths for these students, alongside other Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) programs. This has led to a surge in nursing and midwifery applicants, with many aspiring students flocking to interview centers during recent admission cycles.
The high demand for nursing programs has strained training institutions, many of which are operating beyond their capacity. Some institutions have been forced to admit more students than their designated limits, raising concerns about the quality of training. In response, the Ministry of Education has implemented new guidelines to ensure that institutions adhere to their enrollment capacities, taking into account factors such as available teaching facilities, space in training health units, and the tutor-to-trainee ratio.
Dr. Musene emphasized that institutions found exceeding their capacity will be required to comply with these regulations to maintain the quality of training.
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