Halcyon High School Soroti, Center 1376, has reaffirmed its position as one of Uganda’s top academic institutions, securing a place among the top 50 schools in the 2024 Uganda Certificate of Education (UCE) examinations.
The Schools has been ranked number 42 and with its exceptional performance has also positioned it as the leading school in the Teso Sub-region.
The institution achieved an impressive breakdown of results, with 340 As, 2,163 Bs, 1,674 Cs, 200 Ds, and only 4 Es.
This outstanding performance reflects the school’s strong academic culture, rigorous preparation, and a commitment to excellence.
The Head Teacher of Halcyon High School, Mr. Paul Mark Onyait, expressed gratitude to the students, parents, and teachers for their combined efforts in ensuring success.
“I want to thank the parents for raising such well-mannered children. Their good values played a significant role in this achievement,” Onyait remarked.
Parental involvement has been a cornerstone of the school’s success, with families actively engaging in their children’s academic progress through regular communication with teachers and participation in school programs.
Onyait highlighted how discipline, focus, and moral guidance have contributed to the students’ outstanding results.
Beyond academics, Halcyon High School places strong emphasis on spiritual growth, a factor that Onyait believes played a vital role in the school’s remarkable performance.
“We prayed as a school, as classrooms, and as teachers. I believe God played a role in our success. Where God says yes, no man can say no,” he added.
The 2024 UCE exams marked the first full implementation of Uganda’s new competency-based curriculum, which replaces the traditional division grading system with letter grades.
Under this system, students’ performances are assessed based on their ability to apply knowledge in real-life situations.
Onyait expressed pride in the school’s ability to successfully transition to this new system while maintaining high academic standards.
“I remember telling the public that we had 487 candidates sitting for UCE 2024. Today, I am proud to announce that all 487 students have received their results, and they have all passed in Result One,” he stated.
This means that all students met the required competency level to earn the UCE certificate.
The school’s top performer, Ariam Gerald, led the class with an exceptional seven As and two Bs, setting a benchmark for excellence.
He was closely followed by several other students who also secured impressive A and B grades.
Halcyon High School attributes its performance to a combination of highly trained teachers, modern teaching methods, and strategic benchmarking with other top-performing schools.
“We have invested heavily in training our teachers on the requirements of the new curriculum. If a teacher is competent, they will produce competent students. You can never have students of a higher quality than their teachers,” Onyait emphasized.
“We believed that we were not the best, so we decided to invest in benchmarking. We learned from other schools that have excelled before us, and that has helped us improve significantly,” Onyait noted.
Understanding the New UCE Grading System
The Uganda National Examinations Board (UNEB) Executive Director, Dan Odongo, provided clarity on the new grading system, explaining how students are now assessed based on their ability to apply knowledge.
Grade A (Exceptional): Extraordinary competency, demonstrating innovative and creative application of knowledge in real-life situations.
Grade B (Outstanding): High competency, effectively applying acquired skills in real-life scenarios.
Grade C (Satisfactory): Adequate competency, demonstrating the ability to apply knowledge in practical contexts.
Grade D (Basic): Minimum competency, showing foundational application of acquired knowledge.
Grade E (Elementary): Below basic competency, indicating a need for further improvement.
To qualify for the UCE certificate, a student must achieve at least a grade D in one subject.
According to UNEB’s report, 98.05% of candidates nationwide qualified for the UCE certificate, with their transcripts marked as Result One.
However, candidates who failed to meet the minimum competency level in all subjects received Result Three on their transcripts and do not qualify for a UCE certificate.
Halcyon High School’s achievement in the 2024 UCE exams is not just a moment of celebration but a testament to the institution’s commitment to academic excellence.
As the school continues to adapt to the evolving education landscape, its success story serves as an inspiration for other institutions in Uganda.
With a strong foundation in academic excellence, character development, and spiritual guidance, Halcyon High School remains poised to maintain its legacy as one of Uganda’s leading educational institutions.
By setting high standards and continuously improving its teaching methodologies, the school is ensuring that its students are not just passing exams but are also being equipped with the skills necessary for future success.
Halcyon High School Soroti’s recognition among the top 50 schools in Uganda is a testmony to dedicated leadership, quality teaching, and a disciplined student body. Its achievements in the 2024 UCE examinations set a new benchmark for excellence, reinforcing its reputation as the best school in the Teso Sub-region.
With all 487 students passing and the institution embracing a competency-based education approach, Halcyon High School is well-positioned to continue shaping the future of Uganda’s education sector.
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