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Uganda Nurses and Midwives Examinations Board

NEWS LETTERUphold examination standards

Edition 1 ........... June 2014

THE REPUBLIC OF UGANDA

FOREWORD

Welcome to the first edition of Uganda Nurses and Midwives Examinations Board (UNMEB) newsletter. This issue has come out at a very crucial time when UNMEB is implementing many innovations, restructuring and implementing procedural changes, all geared towards delivery of quality service to our stakeholders and improvement of quality of Human resource for health in Uganda.I am proud to mention that the newsletter will be a biannual publication released on every Examinat ions re lease date. Information contained will feature; updated number of cadres per discipline, update on student’s performance, activity schedule for the following examinations cycle, Secretariat’s innovations, procedural changes in Examinations M a n a ge m e nt , S u m m a r y o f research results, new staff among others. As UNMEB delivers its mandate, I would like to commend all our stakeholders for contributions

made especial ly Ministry of Education and Sports, Ministry of Health, Intrahealth, Uganda Nurses and Midwifery Council (UNMC), Uganda Business and Technical Examinations Board (UBTEB), Uganda Allied Health Examinations Board (UAHEB), Directorate of Industrial Training (DIT), Private Not For Profit (PNFP) schools, Private For Profit (PFP) schools, Teaching Hospitals, Uganda Police among others. My special thanks and appreciation go to the Secretariat staffs who diligently serve the Board, stakeholders and the nation so that the purpose, Mission, Vision and objectives of UNMEB are met in a timely manner. As the country strives to realize its vision 2040 and Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), UNMEB pledges to maximally contribute to the delivery of quality human resource to the health sector and MDGs 4 & 5 that address infant and maternal mortality rates.With pleasure, I invite you to read and keep record of the information in this newsletter as it is vital to every stakeholder.

Helen Mukakarisa KataratambiExecutive Secretary, UNMEB

Mrs. Helen M. KataratambiExecutive Secretary UNMEB

Prof. Wilton S. KezalaChairman UNMEB

INSIDE THIS ISSUE

About UNMEB

Performance of candidates in may 2014

Health cadre ouput May 2006 -May 2014

Changes in the examinations management processes

Accredited examination centres

UNMEB achievements

Future plans

Quality assurance measures

Exploitation of IT

“UPHOLD EXAMINATION STANDARDS”

For Nurses and Midwives

I acknowledge technical and moral support granted by fellow Board members

towards UNMEB success.

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Table 1: Performance of Certificate Candidates in May 2014 PROGRAMME DISTINCTIONS CREDITS PASSES UN-GRADED TOTAL

Certificate in Comprehensive Nursing 08 (0.5%) 514 (34.6%) 807 (54.3%) 157 (10.6%) 1486Certificate in Nursing 03 (0.5%) 283 (45.5%) 293 (47.1%) 43 (6.9%) 622Certificate in Midwifery 01 (0.2%) 119 (26.1%) 302 (66.2%) 34 (7.5%) 456Certificate in Mental Health Nursing 00 (0.0%) 58 (65.2%) 26(29.2%) 05 (5.6%) 89TOTAL 12(0.5%) 974(36.7%) 1428(53.8%) 239(9.0%) 2653

Table 2: Performance of May 2014 Diploma Candidates

DISCPLINE PASSED UNGRADED TOTALDiploma in Nursing 38 10 48Diploma in Comprehensive Nursing 15 00 15Diploma in Midwifery 71 14 85Diploma in Mental Health Nursing 02 02 04Total 126 26 152

2414 (91%) of certificate candidates

passed the May 2014 examinations compared to 1467 (85.4%) candidates that passed in May

2013. An increase of 5.6 % performance.

Uganda Nurses and Midwives Examinations Board (UNMEB) is a semi-autonomous Government body that was established in December 2005 by Government of Uganda under Ministry of Education and Sports (MoES) with a cardinal objective of streamlining, regulating and coordinating examinations and awards for Nurses and Midwives in Uganda. The Nursing and Midwifery assessment is defined in the Business, Technical, Vocational Education and Training (BTVET) Act No. 12 of 2008 and was operationalised

.......ABOUTUNMEB

by Statutory Instrument No. 4 of 2009;

VISION: To be a reputable, effective and innovative Board that conducts quality examinations and Award credible Diplomas and Certificates in Nursing and Midwifery profession

MISSION: To manage and administer quality examinations using skilled examiners and Award credible Diplomas and Certificates to successful candidates in the Nursing and Midwifery profession for improving human resource for health.

OBJECTIVES:• To develop a pool of competent

examiners

• To establish adequate test items question bank

• To develop and implement the research agenda for student Nurses and Midwives

• To develop an information management system

• To monitor and evaluate progress of examination management

• To strengthen collaborations with stakeholders

• To mobilise adequate resources for the Board.

• To strengthen capacity of the secretariat and the Board

• To develop a quality assurance system of examinations for Nurses and Midwives

• To develop educational materials to facilitate efficient and effective management and administration of quality Examinations.

PERFORMANCEOF MAY 2014 CANDIDATES

A total of 2805 candidates from 52 Nursing Training Schools were registered and presented for the May 2014 examinations as compared to One thousand eight hundred and fifty (1,850) candidates from 40 accredited Nursing Schools that were presented for May 2013 UNMEB State final examinations.

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Table 3........HEALTH CADRE OUTPUT FOR THE PERIOD MAY 2006 – MAY 2014

Discipline 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014

Month May Nov May Nov May Nov May Nov May Nov May Nov May Nov May Nov May Total

DCN 31 79 4 86 2 235 9 264 8 246 41 273 15 262 27 202 15 1799

DN 268 26 400 39 317 47 302 24 278 59 342 38 2140

DM 212 5 256 16 255 4 235 5 249 16 252 71 1576

DMHN 14 5 41 1 39 39 4 43 2 188

DPN 9 1 10 0 14 1 0 0 6 0 41

RN 168 187 92 444 29 114 1 1035

RM 68 230 9 287 11 58 663

RPN 2 7 6 7 22

RMN 14 32 2 24 11 61 6 48 3 202

CCN 16 168 35 501 158 806 961 272 1308 224 1811 1155 994 78 1052 1204 1329 12072

CN 313 237 140 154 146 45 121 82 55 28 97 174 125 268 237 526 579 3327

CM 183 141 52 59 133 25 97 45 120 20 77 151 21 208 75 471 422 2300

CMN 44 5 27 26 93 7 2 84 1 85 121 2 122 2 103 6 84 814

TOTAL 839 1086 361 1587 583 1838 1228 1474 1556 1226 2199 2345 1307 23 84 1573 3052 2540 27178

Registration of new students: Due to use of the Examinations Management Information System (EMIS), UNMEB will only capture students data in the first semester of the first year of enrollment. Registration of new students will not be permitted in any other period. This facilitates tracking of students from enrolment to practice.

Verification of students: Non verified students will not be captured on the EMIS. Only 3 weeks are granted to students to follow up on verification after the exercise.

Participation as state f inal Examiner: This is only open to nurses with valid practicing licenses. Principals and Principal Nursing Officers (PNOs) will approve the

list of examiners at every sitting. All examiners are requested to renew their practicing licenses with the UNMC.

Format of Nursing Student I d e n t i f i c a t i o n N u m b e r : Beginning with May 2013 intake, UNMEB changed the format of NSIN to reflect the month of enrolment, year of admission, school code, course, and the official student number. Please note that the NSIN number is not the same as examination number.

Reduction in size of Examination Card: Noting that the examination card contained details issued on the timetable, UNMEB reduced the size of examinations card to maintain information that is relevant to the examination

room monitoring.

Features on the Certificate: To match the international standards, UNMEB has removed details of the school code and examination number from the certificate but maintained them on the results s l ip . The NSIN number has been maintained but changed positioning to immediately below the students photo to enable individual tracking.

Issuance of Certificates and Results Slips: Starting May 2014, all certificates and results slips are issued on date of results release date;

Contact Secretariat for further details or Email: info@unmeb.go.ug, www.unmeb.go.ug

...........CHANGES IN EXAMINATIONS MANAGEMENT PROCESSES

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SCHOOL CODE TRAINING INSTITUTION Exam. Centre. No.

U001 Arua School Of Comprehensive Nursing 001U002 Butabika School Of Pschiatric Nursing 002U003 Ibanda School Of Midwifery And Comprehensive Nursing 003U005 International Institute Of Health Sciences Jinja 004U006 Ishaka Adventist School Of Nursing 005U007 Jinja School Of Nursing And Midwifery 006U008 Kabale School Of Comprehensive Nursing 007U009 Kagando School Of Nursing And Midwifery 008U010 St. Mary’s Midwifery School Kalongo 009U012 Kampala University School Of Nursing 010U013 Kamuli School Of Midwifery 011U014 Kibuli School Of Nursing And Midwifery 012U015 Kisiizi School Of Nursing 013U016 Kiwoko Hospital School Of Nursing 014U017 Kuluva School Of Nursing 015U018 St. Mary’s Lacor School Of Nursing 016U019 Lira School Of Enrolled Comprehensive Nursing 017U020 Masaka School Of Comprehensive Nursing 018U021 St. Kizito Hospital- Matany School Of Nursing 019U022 Mengo School Of Nursing And Midwifery 020U023 Mulago School Of Nursing And Midwifery 021U024 Mutolere School Of Nursing And Midwifery 022U025 Ngora Hospital- School Of Nursing And Midwifery 023U026 Nsambya School Of Nursing And Midwifery 024U027 St. Karoli Lwanga School Of Nursing And Midwifery- Nyakibale 025U028 Rakai Community School Of Nursing 026

In partnership with stakeholder organisations, UNMEB developed a c c r e d i t a t i o n g u i d e l i n e s

to facilitate uniform assessment of examination centres. Prior to application for accreditation, the following must be in place; The School must be legally registered and licenced to conduct nurses and midwifery training (Name, Physical address, landline, Mailing address)headed by a professional tutor and in possession of a valid practicing certificate. In addition to the above, the school

must have permanent structures in good condition, equiped skills labaratory, well resourced library, practical models, Student : tutor ratio not above 1: 50, well furnished classes, dining, dormitory and administration block, at least one transport vehicle, less than five kilometers away from teaching hospital OR health centre and communities, well trained teaching staff among others.

Table 4: UNMEB Accredited Examinations Centers

UNMEB ACCREDITED EXAMINATION

CENTRES

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Table 5: Provisionally licenced Schools without examination centre numbers

U011 Kampala International University- Western Campus Depart. Of NursingU037 Florence Nightingale Nursing School- ApacU038 Good Samaritan International School Of NursingU039 St. Eliza School Of Nursing- KayungaU043 Gulu School Of NursingU045 St. John School Of NursingU046 Fort portal International School Of Nursing U048 Kalungi School Of Nursing- LukayaU049 Alice Anume Memorial School Of Nursing And MidwiferyU051 Ntungamo Health Training InstituteU053 Mountains Of The Moon University- Department Of NursingU054 Mukono Diocese School Of Nursing And MidwiferyU055 Uganda Christian Institute School Of Nursing And MidwiferyU056 Bishop Stuart University -Department Of Nursing- MbararaU057 Dr. Alele Foundation School Of Nursingand MidwiferyU058 Lugazi School Of Nursing And MidwiferyU059 Uganda School Of Nursing- BwindiU060 St. Gertrude School Of Nursing- BomboU061 Kyetume School Of Nursing -LwengoU062 Jerusalem School Of Nursing And MidwiferyU063 Agule Nursing And Midwifery SchoolU064 Anne Nehema Memorial Intern. School Of Nursing And MidwiferyU052 Tumu Medical Training Institute

U029 Rubaga Hospital- School Of Nursing And Midwifery 027U030 Soroti School Of Comprehensive Nursing 028U031 Villa Mariaschool Of Nursing 029U032 Virika School Of Comprehensive Nursing 030U033 Kabale Institute Of Health Sciences 031U034 Mayanja Memorial Medical Training Institute 032U035 Salem School Of Nursing- Kolonyo 033U036 Nyenga School Of Nursing 034U040 Busoga University School Of Nursing 035U041 Iganga School Of Nursing And Midwifery 036U042 Mbale School Of Nursing And Midwifery 037U044 Hoima School Of Nursing And Midwifery 038U047 Islamic University In Uganda School Of Nursing 039U050 Public Health Nurses College –Kyambogo 040

EXAMINATIONS REGISTRATION

DATES

May candidetes1st Feb - 4th Mar.

research submission18th Mar. - 18th Apr.

November candidates

1st Aug.- 1st Sept.Research

submission18th Sept. - 18th Oct.

Late registartion and submission

of research reports attracts a sur-charge of

50% of the total registartion OR research fees.

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................................................SOME OF

UNMEB ACHIEVEMENTS• Development and on course implementation of a

five year Strategic Plan (2010-2015),

• Development and implementation of Rules for the conduct of UNMEB Examinations,

• Successful conduct of two series of national promotional examinations. This has enhanced

rigour in heath training schools, ensured adherence to curriculum implementation , increased student’s search for knowledge and improved skills acquisition in the practicum sites,

• Development of a databank of test items,

• Development and implementation of a Human Resource Manual. This has enabled UNMEB employ and maintain quality staff to deliver its mandate,

• Development and operationalisation of an examinations Management Information System (EMIS) to facilitate Information accuracy, Reduction in data processing time, provision of timely

feedback to a wide spread platform, widening of UNMEB partnerships and networks, Implementation of research agenda and enabling secure storage and controlled access to UNMEB information.

• Development of a simplified backup system that has facilitated reduction of need for storage space by over 35%

• Institutionalization of quality assurance measures in examinations management processes that are innovatively improved on day to day basis,

• Development of student tracking system from enrolment to practice. achived through allocation and tracking of Nursing student identification numbers,

• Working in good relation with over 500 health education examiners and other stakeholders.

• Good working relationship with stakeholders (MoES, MoH, UNMC, DIT, Examiners, Principals, DES, etc)

• Conduct training of school registrars in preparation and capturing of student data in formats compatible with the EMIS

• Implementation of a stakeholder’s conference as a forum for information sharing, feedback collection, provision

Some of UNMEB staff and UCP facilitator (Inset) after MIS training

of updates and networking,• Inclusion of promotional examinations data

management component on the EMIS• Strengthening of research component• Acquisition of a permanent home for the

Secretariat

FUTURE PLANS

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.......................

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General

• All staff are well qualified,• Full compliance to the Strategic

Plan;• UNMEB Board is composed

o f c o m p e t e n t m e m b e rs from reputable stakeholder institutions;

• Presence of Security, Research, F i n a n c e , E x a m i n a t i o n s , Procurement, and appointment/recruitment committees;

• A l l s ta f f s we a r a n o at h upon recruitment to ensure confidentiality and integrity;

• All circulars and updates are published on UNMEB website,

• An online feedback mechanism was developed for quick response.

Pre examination• Test items are generated by

senior tutors;

• Moderation is done by highly techinical and specialised personnel in the various examinable disciplines;

• Students are registered on the EMIS in first semester of enrollment for tracking;

• Students are allocated Unique Nursing Student Identification Numbers (NSIN) used to track them upon enrolment, studying and practice. These reflect month and year of enrolment, school code, program code and a unique serial number.

During Examination• Each Student must be dressed

in full uniform and in possession of a valid examination card;

• Examiners are provided with students’ albums that presents students bio and identification data;

• Students do not add names to the scripts;

• S t u d e n t s a p p e n d t h e i r signature sagainst their names in albums to confirm those who sat for each paper. The record is bound in one booklet for reference during results

compilation and in event of claims.

Post Examination

• Each Examiner swears an oath to ensure integrity and confidentiality;

• UNMEB conceals all student examination numbers and are not visible to examiners;

• Use of Conveyor Belt System. Each candidate’s script is marked by several examiners;

• All scripts are re-checked by Senior Examiners to confirm the marks awarded per question;

• Compilation is done by UNMEB Secretariat in an isolated environment;

• All scripts of failed students are remarked by senior examiners;

• UMEB uses an Examinations Management System to compile examinations data and generate reports;

• All principals append their signatures against each student whose certificate is picked.

.....QUALITY ASSURANCE MEASURES

In the bid to uphold examination standards for nurses and mid-wives, Investment in IT infrastruc-ture remains at the forefront of UNMEB strategy as a mechanism for quality service delivery.

Cognisant of UNMEB mandate and the time limits within which

EXPLOITATION OF TECHNOLOGY AT

UNMEB

examinations conduct and feedback delivery to stakeholders must be achieved. It is a necessity that IT is adopted in order to save on costs and time as well as minimize errors during examinations management. UNMEB’s Engagement of technology is evident in the following areas;-

• Use of Internal Examination Management Information System• Electronic generation of UNMEB mandatory outputs (Examination

cards, student’s album, certificate and results book) ,• Generation of electronic and paper backup system of examina-

tions data,• Implementation of UNMEB research agenda through utilization of

secondary system generated data,• Engagement of online discussions as a platform for networking

and information sharing,• Timely dissemination of information.

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Table 6: Activity Schedule for June 2014 - January 2015

DATE ACTIVITY CONTACT PERSON(S)

21st /7-1st/8/2014 Registration of candidates for promotional examinations EO (Irene) & PRO

28th-30th/7/2014 Processing of pass slips and certificates PRO31ST/7/2014 Release of May 2014 state final exams results ES, PAO,PRO1st/8-5th/9/2014 Registration of candidates for state final examinations EO(Natalia) & PRO4 - 22/8/2014 Setting & Moderation of test items for promotional examinations Private18th -nd/8/2014 Printing of Promotional examination papers Private25th-29th/8/2014 Packing and routing of promotional examinations Private1st-5th/9/2014 Photography and data capture for finalists Nov. 2014 PRO & SAO8th-19th/9/2014 Setting and moderation of test items for state finals Private10th/9-3rd/10/2014 Systems data validation of finalists Nov. 2014, processing of

albums/ examination cards.PRO & EO (Natalia)

15th-19/9/2014 Accreditation of examination Centres ES, PAO & PRO22nd-23rd/9/2014 Packing materials for schools EO (Irene)24th-26th /9/2014 Routing of examinations to police stations Private29th/9-3rd/10/2014 Conducting of promotional examinations ES and Examiners30th/9-3rd/10/2014 Proof reading of state final examinations Private4th-5th/10/2014 Delivery of scripts to marking centres Private6th-10th/10/2014 Marking of Promotional examinations at centres and

compilation of resultsExaminers

6th-17th /10/2014 Issuance of examination materials for state finals EO (Natalia)13th-24th/10/2014 Data entry of Promotional examination results Private20th-26th/10/2014 Printing and packaging of state final examinations Private27th-30th/10/2014 Routing of state final examinations to the police stations Private3rd-7th/11/2014 Conducting UNMEB state final examinations for Nov. 2014 ES 10th-14th/11/2014 Collection of scripts from police stations Private17th-14th/11/2014 -Preparations for marking of state final examinations

-Writing of reports for promotional examinations resultsDES, PEO, EOs

24th-28th/11/2014 Marking of state final examinations Examiners 1st-3rd/11/2014 Compilation of state final examination results Private3rd/12/2014 Presentation of promotional results to the examination

committee & release ES, DES,PEO PAO and PRO

4th-8th/11/2014 Feedback reports to schools,Data entry for state final examination results

Private

7th /1/2015 Awards committee meeting PAO9th /1/2015 Examination committee meeting PAO15th/1/2015 Full Board meeting PAO