UMSC Flags Off IPLE.
Uganda Muslim Supreme Council (UMSC) has officially commenced the Islamic Primary Leaving Examinations (IPLE) in a brief ceremony presided over by the Secretary-General, Hon. Hadji Abbas Sekyanzi Muluubya. The event took place mid-morning at the UMSC headquarters in Old Kampala on November 15th, 2023.
In his speech, Hon. Muluubya expressed deep gratitude to the UMSC Education Department under Sheikh Bakhit Cucu and the Islamic Primary Leaving Examination Board led by its secretary, Sheikh Ismail Kazibwe. He highlighted the significant progress made in Muslim education, emphasizing it as a key goal of the current UMSC administration under the leadership of H.E Dr. Sheikh Shaban Ramadhan Mubaje, the Mufti of Uganda.
Hon. Muluubya extended thanks to school proprietors, headteachers, teachers, parents, and students, urging the learners not to panic or lose focus during the examinations. He emphasized that these examinations, covering seven years of teachings, are rooted in Islamic theology and are intended to promote moral values. “These examinations are drawn from our Islamic theology and meant to promote morality. So we don’t expect to hear anybody to get involved in any malpractices,” he said. Addressing misconceptions about Madrassa Schools, Hon. Muluubya rebuffed false claims associating them with the promotion of terrorism. He said that UMSC is committed to ensuring that such activities do not manifest in Madrassas.
Sheikh Juma Bakhit Cucu, the UMSC Secretary for Education and Sports, expressed gratitude to the government, school proprietors, headteachers, teachers, parents, and learners for the substantial improvement in Muslim education across the country. He highlighted the rise in registrations of Muslim-based schools offering dual curricula in both secular and Islamic theology, reaching a total of 291.
He reiterated the constitutional right to freedom of worship and emphasized that Madrassas are established to cater to the spiritual needs of passing on Islamic religious knowledge to the young Muslim generation. He pledged to collaborate closely with government authorities to ensure that Madrassas follow approved learning materials.
Sheikh Ismail Kazibwe, the IPLE Board Secretary, revealed the examination timetable starting on Thursday, November 16th, and concluding on Friday, November 17th, 2023. A total of 5,255 candidates are expected to sit for four papers covering Holy Quran & Figh, Lugha, and Tarbiyah, respectively, across 291 examination centers nationwide. He urged headteachers to coordinate and collect examination papers from designated police stations, strictly adhering to regulations enforced by invigilators for a seamless examination process. The event saw the presence of notable figures including Sheikh Ali Lukyamuzi, Chairman Link of Islamic Schools, and Ms. Sumaya Kiggundu, Assistant Secretary, IPLE.