Islamic Primary Leaving Exams Commence Nationwide; Schools Advocate for Calendar Adjustment

The Islamic Primary Leaving Examinations (IPLE) have officially commenced nationwide, with candidates from various Islamic schools across Uganda participating. Organized by the Uganda Quran Schools Association Examination Board (UQSAEB), these exams assess primary-level students in Islamic studies alongside the core primary curriculum.

Reports from examination centers in Kampala, including ZamZam Islamic School in Wakiso District and Tawhid Islamic Centre in Kisenyi, indicate a well-organized start. School officials expressed confidence in the candidates’ preparedness, noting that all registered students reported on time and were ready to tackle their papers, starting with Arabic.

Institutions like Kibuli Demonstration Primary School and Bukhaary Junior School also reported high attendance and readiness among their candidates. The latter, participating for the ninth consecutive year, shared optimism about their students’ performance.

However, a point of contention raised by Hajji Ismail Wagudde, director of Bukhaary Junior School, concerns the current timing of the IPLE. He highlighted that holding the examinations during school holidays imposes significant financial strain on schools, requiring them to extend operations for accommodation, feeding, and supervision. Hajji Wagudde proposed adjusting the examination calendar to alleviate these costs and provide a more conducive environment for students.

Mr. Rayan Katabalwa, Head of Education at the Uganda Quran Schools Association (UQSA), confirmed the successful nationwide rollout of the exams. He emphasized the importance of maintaining the integrity of the examination process and cautioned all involved parties, including candidates, officials, and administrators, against any form of malpractice.

The two-day examination period is set to conclude on Thursday with a paper on Fiqhu (Islamic jurisprudence).