EDUCATION : St. Peter’s Secondary School Nalya has celebrated outstanding performance in the 2025 Uganda Certificate of Education (UCE) examinations, awarding its top candidates with scholarships and cash prizes in recognition of their academic excellence.
During a brief ceremony filled with praise, the school community gathered to honor the best-performing students and thank God for a successful academic year that recorded no failures in any subject.
Top Performers Recognized
Divine Bella Kebirungi, emerged as the overall best candidate. She received a full scholarship and a cash prize of Shs 2.5 million.
The second-best candidate, Julie Carina, was also awarded a full scholarship along with Shs 1 million in cash.
Other top achievers included:
Nalubega Lillian – 50% scholarship and Shs 500,000, Kebirungi Sayon – 50% scholarship and a cash award, Wakoli Rachel – 30% scholarship and a cash prize, Namata Maxensia – 30% scholarship and a cash prize
Certificates of Appreciation and Merit were presented to the outstanding learners as applause filled the ceremony grounds.
Eight-Year Trend: Girls Leading the Way
In her address, the Director, Josephine Kavutse, highlighted a notable trend: for the past eight consecutive years, girls have dominated the top positions at the school.
While emphasizing that the institution provides equal treatment, resources, and opportunities to both boys and girls, she expressed concern over the widening performance gap.
“We do not separate girls from boys. They receive the same notes, the same attention, and follow the same rules. But we must ask ourselves—what is happening?” she said.
Ms. Kavutse challenged teachers, parents, and school leaders to reflect on the issue and work together to ensure that boys rise to the challenge and compete favorably.
She suggested that societal expectations may play a role, noting that responsibility and discipline often begin at home. She encouraged boys to step forward in academics, debates, sports, and leadership roles, expressing optimism that next year’s results could reflect a more balanced performance.
A Shift in Academic Performance
The school principal, Mr. Katongole John, described the 2025 results as a “paradigm shift,” especially under the new lower secondary curriculum.
He noted that unlike the pioneer candidates of the new curriculum, the 2025 class demonstrated remarkable mastery, attributing the success to a more interactive, learner-centered approach.
According to Mr. Katongole, the new curriculum emphasizes:
Critical thinking, Interpretation and synthesis, Practical application, Collaboration among learners
“This curriculum allows learners to think, reason, and try things out. It is practical in nature, and that is why performance is improving,” he explained.
He added that St. Peter’s Nalya’s strong science exposure and daily practical engagement have positioned the school well under the reformed system.
Impact of COVID-19 on Boys’ Performance
Addressing the broader national trend of girls outperforming boys, Mr. Katongole observed that the COVID-19 period may have influenced learner focus.
He suggested that during and after the pandemic, many boys shifted attention toward income-generating activities and personal ventures, while girls remained more academically focused due to closer supervision and structured care.
“As a result, the girl child appears more focused on academic progression, while the boy child is often thinking about earning quickly,” he noted.
Call for Government Support
Despite the success, Mr. Katongole outlined challenges affecting smooth implementation of the new lower secondary curriculum.
He appealed for government support in three key areas:
Infrastructure Expansion – The practical curriculum requires smaller class sizes and adequate demonstration space, which many private schools lack.
ICT Support – Subsidized computers would significantly boost digital learning, with schools ready to handle internet connectivity.
Teacher Retooling and Supervision – Continuous training and stronger supervisory frameworks are needed to ensure effective curriculum delivery.
He expressed confidence that with increased support, all schools implementing the practical curriculum would shine.
A Celebration of Excellence
The ceremony concluded on a high note, with administrators reaffirming their commitment to academic excellence and holistic learner development.
As St. Peter’s Nalya celebrates yet another year of outstanding results, the school community now looks ahead—determined to maintain excellence while inspiring both girls and boys to achieve their fullest potential in 2026 and beyond.
