Ministry revises admission requirements for nursing programs

The ministry of Education and Sports has introduced new admission requirements for certificate and diploma programs in nursing, midwifery, and other health-related fields.

According to the ministry, the revisions were prompted by the rollout of the new lower secondary curriculum and corresponding changes to the Uganda Certificate of Education (UCE) grading system.

“The decision to review was particularly centered on UNEB scores under the new lower secondary curriculum,” stated the ministry in a recent circular signed by Dr Safinah Kisu Musene, commissioner for health education, and Dr Kedrace Turyagyenda, permanent secretary.

Under the updated guidelines, senior four leavers aspiring to enroll in health-related certificate programs must have attained at least a grade C in Biology, Chemistry, and Physics. At least a grade D in Mathematics and English.

The new UCE grading system categorizes grades as follows: A – exceptional achievement, B – outstanding performance, C – satisfactory performance, D – basic proficiency E – elementary understanding. Applicants must therefore demonstrate at least satisfactory performance in the sciences and basic proficiency in English and Mathematics to qualify.

Additionally, all applicants must be at least 18 years old and medically fit, as clinical certificate programs typically run for two and a half years. The revised admission criteria apply to seven certificate-level programs: nursing, midwifery, medical laboratory, science pharmacy, theatre technology, environmental health, psychiatric nursing.

These programs will now be regulated and assessed by the Uganda Health Professionals Assessment Board (UHPAB), a newly formed body resulting from the merger of the Uganda Nurses and Midwives Examination Board (UNMEB) and the Uganda Allied Health Examinations Board (UAHEB), as stipulated by the recently enacted TVET (Technical Vocational Education and Training) Act.

Under the new framework, applicants for diploma programs must possess a certificate in a relevant health training discipline and must have met the minimum entry requirements at the time of joining the certificate program.

This measure is designed to curb the growing trend of students enrolling in certificate programs in other jurisdictions despite not meeting Uganda’s academic standards and returning later to pursue diploma studies.

Students who completed their UCE under the now-phased-out curriculum will still be eligible for admission based on the previous entry standards. Previously, certificate applicants were only required to pass five core subjects: Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics, English, and Biology, along with meeting the age and physical fitness criteria.

The updated standards now place greater emphasis on performance quality, not just subject passes. Commenting on the development, Dr Musene noted that the revised standards are intended to ensure that health trainees possess the academic rigor required for the profession.

She emphasized that the changes were implemented after wide consultations with key stakeholders across the health and education sectors.

“These reforms are part of our broader efforts to align health training with the evolving education system and to maintain the integrity and quality of Uganda’s health workforce,” she said.