Summary

• UBTEB’s Modular Assessment Program, introduced in 2022, is transforming Uganda’s vocational education landscape under the Vision 2040 initiative. Aligned with NDP III and the NRM Manifesto 2021-2026, the program allows students to earn certifications progressively by completing modular courses tailored to industry needs. This innovative approach aims to bridge the skills gap, increase enrollment, and enhance graduates’ employability, contributing to Uganda’s socio-economic development goals.

In a transformative move aligned with Uganda’s Vision 2040, the Uganda Business and Technical Examinations Board (UBTEB) has launched a pioneering Modular Assessment Program, heralded as a game changer for the National Resistance Movement (NRM) government. This initiative, integrated into the National Development Plan III (NDP III) and the NRM Manifesto 2021-2026, aims to bridge the skills gap and boost human capital development.

UBTEB, mandated to regulate and conduct national examinations in vocational education, introduced modular assessments in 2022 under the Business, Technical, Vocational Education, and Training (BTVET) Policy of 2019. This approach allows learners to pursue certifications progressively by completing modules tailored to specific skills. For example, in fields like Building & Construction, learners earn certificates for each completed module such as Brick Work or Plumbing, culminating in a National Certificate upon finishing all modules.

According to Oyesigye Onesmus, UBTEB’s Executive Secretary, modular assessment has sparked increased enrollment and innovation among students, empowering them with specialized skills directly relevant to industry needs. This shift from traditional, rigid educational models to flexible, competency-based learning not only facilitates easier entry into the workforce but also promotes self-employment and academic progression.

Jalia Nasaza, Manager of Vocational Institutions at UBTEB, emphasized the program’s responsiveness to industry demands, ensuring that curriculum modules align precisely with real-world occupational requirements. This alignment enhances the employability of graduates and strengthens the linkages between educational institutions and industry stakeholders.

Furthermore, Herbert Wanda, UBTEB’s Principal Planning, Budgeting, and Investment Officer, highlighted the socio-economic benefits of modular assessment, noting its accessibility to students from diverse backgrounds and its potential to drive economic growth through a skilled workforce. Wanda underscored the need for increased government funding to optimize program implementation, including decentralizing assessment services to regional offices for enhanced supervision and support.

As Uganda strides towards its Vision 2040 goal of transforming into a modern and prosperous nation, UBTEB’s Modular Assessment Program stands as a beacon of innovation in vocational education, promising to equip the nation’s youth with the skills essential for sustainable development and global competitiveness.