Economics is a subject offered at ‘A’ level. The subject is conceived as the study of how wealth is generated for improvement of human welfare. The main purpose of the study of Economics is to enable the individual to know the nature of economic problems and apply this knowledge for solving those problems. The subject is beneficial to students pursuing such related disciplines as Accounting, Banking, Marketing, Agriculture, Education, Business and so on.

Students who have passed Mathematics, Commerce, Accounting, Entrepreneurship Education, and Agriculture at ‘O’ Level are allowed to pursue Economics at the ‘A’ Level.

Message to Students of Economics

Economics is certainly an interesting subject, but it is by no means an easy one. It requires hard work and determination on the part of the learner. A student will encounter both factual and statistical information and will be faced with many practical issues. Various graphs and tables must be studied carefully as they are necessary in the understanding of many economic principles.

Economics is a very important and beneficial subject, especially in understanding one’s current and future situation, and the ordinary business of life.

Examination format:

Two papers, with code numbers P220/1 and P220/2, are set. Paper 220/1 tests students’ knowledge of the theories and principles of Economics, while Paper P220/2 tests students’ ability to apply these theories, principles and knowledge to solve economic problems in their situations.
Examination performance by students in National Examinations has varied from year to year. In general, performance has been average and many students have gone on to university, especially those with good grades (A, B and C).
Between 1996 and 2004, students performed fairly well. This is attributed to the fact that student enrolment was low (between 15 and 35). Subsequent years have seen enrolment increasing in large numbers, affecting the quality of the examination results.

Year A B C D E O F NO. OF Candidates Position
2005 00 04 14 20 08 18 05 69 6th
2006 00 05 12 24 09 19 01 70 6th
2007 00 00 10 13 09 14 08 54 8th
2008 04 17 22 19 06 12 03 83 1st
2009 01 09 15 18 05 20 02 70 8th
2010 01 07 17 28 13 24 04 94 12th
2011 00 04 05 19 19 42 06 95 13th
2012 00 00 10 21 09 35 10 85 12th
2013 05 07 19 15 05 06 02 59
2014 03 08 15 15 01 07 01 50
2015 01 03 18 14 20 10 00 66
2016 00 05 05 13 10 17 03 53 9th
2017 02 06 17 15 11 03 02 56 6th
2018

DEPARTMENT OF ECONOMICS 2015 UACE RESULTS ANALYSIS TO THE ACADEMIC COMMITTEE MEETING ON 18TH MARCH, 2016

Comparison is made for the result of the last three years as seen below:

Year A B C D E O F Total
2013 05 07 19 15 05 06 02 59
2014 03 08 15 15 01 07 21 50
2015 01 03 18 14 20 10 02 69
2016
2017
2018

Staffing

Since 1996, the Economics Department has been facing an unstable situation regarding its staff. Many qualified teachers of Economics have left teaching to work in greener pastures. Mr. ONYAIT Charles, Mr. AJANGA M. and Ms. ALUBO Annet Ojuman have joined other organizations, leaving the department to be run by two people.

Due to changes in government policies and the introduction of new subjects, such as Entrepreneurship Education, teachers of Economics have shifted to teach new subjects. Mrs. EDOKU Ibiara Elizabeth is now full-time in the Entrepreneurship Department. Currently the department is run by two teachers – OPEDED Simon Bernard and Ms. Betty Chebet.

Recommended Economics Textbooks for students and teachers:

1 Akampurina G Certificate Economics (Books 3 & 4)
2 Dduma Ssetamu Basic Economics
3 Hanson J. L. 3. Hanson J. L.
4 Jhinghan M. C. Advanced Economic Theory
5 Lipsey R. G An Introduction to Positive Economics for Eastern Africa
6 Todaro M.P Economics for a Developing World
7 Tayebwa B. M. B Basic Economics
8 Other Economics literature, budget speeches, newspapers, BOU annual reports and so on

Challenges and recommendations

  1. Inadequate textbooks.
  2. Not enough staff and instability affecting syllabus coverage (this is partly due to the government’s poor remuneration policy)
  3. Students’ concentration and mastery of concepts is low
  4. Low funding of the department affects availability of reading materials
  5. Increasing number of students
  6. In-service and refresher courses (similar to SESEMAT) are lacking

Based on the above challenges, the performance in the Economics Department can be improved through implementation of the following:

  1. Recruitment of permanent teachers of Economics and a deliberate government policy to attract teachers to the profession by increasing the pay
  2. Increase funding for textbooks and departmental activities
  3. Encourage workshops and seminars for teachers and students, including refresher courses
  4. Intensive career guidance for students, especially on the important of the subject of Economics

Final Message

The world is full of people who do their work half-heartedly, grudgingly and poorly. Don’t be like them. Whatever is your duty, do it as fully and perfectly as you can. And when you have finished your duty, go on and spare some time and talent in service to the less fortunate, not for any “Economic” reward, but because it’s the right thing to do.

When you follow this advice, your lives will be happy and successful.

Opeded Simon Bernard

Head of the Department of Economics

Tel. 0782 – 261904