On 25th July, 2019 FAWE Uganda in partnership with the National Council for Higher Education launched the Higher Education Access Certificate Programme in Uganda. The certificate is aimed at enabling economically disadvantaged young women and men from rural communities of Uganda, who have not attained sufficient grades at Senior Six to enroll for a degree course at University or tertiary level. The programme serves as an alternative route to increase access to Higher Education by A-level students who did not attain the two principal passes as the current requirement for admission.
The Chief Guest Prof. Mary Okwakol, the Executive Director of National Council for Higher Education said that, “A student who fails to attain sufficient grades at A-level will now be able to join any university offering that programme, study for one year and later proceed to study a degree course of their choice using the certificate they attained. This will include students with one principle pass at A-level; they will not have to repeat senior six now.”
She added that, “This will increase the enrollment level ratio of Ugandan students at University which currently stands at 6.9% in Uganda compared to East Africa’s 9%, 15% for Africa and 25% globally.”
Mrs. Martha Muhwezi, the Chief Executive Officer of FAWE Africa expressed that, “Under the certificate programme we directly partner with three universities i.e. Busitema University, Gulu University and Mbarara University of Science and Technology. As FAWE we are targeting 70% of girls doing sciences especially girls in rural areas but fail to attain sufficient grades to do science courses directly and under the Higher Education Certificate they are able to enroll for university and pursue degree courses of their choice. We are hopeful that the certificate programme will increase university enrolment in science courses especially for female students.”
Mrs. Susan Opok Tumusiime, the FAWE Uganda Executive Director expressed that, “Education is key, and we partnered with NCHE to put in place mechanisms that could improve enrolment for Higher Education in Uganda among vulnerable children especially girls to pursue science courses of their choice. As FAWE Uganda and with support from mastercard foundation we are directly partnering with three institutions of Higher Learning; Busitema University, Gulu and Mbarara University of Science and Technology where we are directly sponsoring a total of 60 learners to undertake the certificate programme and later pursue their university courses.”
The Higher Education Certificate Programme will be implemented by all Universities in Uganda for as long as they have secured accreditation from the NCHE. FAWE Uganda and FAWE Africa with support from mastercard foundation will directly support 60 beneficiaries from economically disadvantaged regions – districts of Uganda including; Adjumani, Amudat, Amuru, Bukwo, Bullisa, Bundibugyo, Buyende, Kaabong, Kanungu, Katakwi,Mayuge, Ntoroko and Pader to enroll for the certificate programme and pursue their University Education.
The launch that took place at NCHE offices was attended by representatives from all Universities of Uganda both public and private, representatives from Ministry of Education and Sports, National Curriculum Development Center, Civil Society Organizations and Media. It was preceded by the Television talk show focused on creating awareness about the certificate programme and the qualification process.
