Victoria University Vice Chancellor, Prof. Dr Lawrence Muganga, says Uganda’s new Competency Based Education (CBE) system is being misunderstood. Speaking on NTV Uganda, he explained that what many people call “poor exam results” does not mean learners are failing, but that exams are now measuring different things.

Dr Muganga said the old system rewarded memorisation and cramming, while CBE focuses on skills, problem solving, values, and what learners can actually do with what they know. Under CBE, a learner may score average marks but still be competent and capable.

He added that the new system is more inclusive, allowing learners to move at their own pace and supporting those with different abilities. According to him, society should stop panicking over exam results, especially for young learners, and instead understand that education is shifting from marks to real-life skills.