200 schools excel in Islamic exams

Kampala. More than 200 students have excelled in the Islamic advanced exams (Idaad and Thanawi), according to the results released by the Islamic University in Uganda (IUIU) syllabus harmonisation board.
Dr Hassan Kiyingi, the secretary of the IUIU Idaad and Thanawi, yesterday said 231 students sat for the Islamic exams in 2018 with 210 doing Idaad while 21 did Thanawi.
“I am glad to inform you that all the students who sat for the exams excelled but the worst done subject at both levels was Islamic History,” he said.
The IUIU Rector, Dr Ahmed Kawesa Sengendo, warned Islamic teachers against reducing the years of teaching the syllabus, saying it is responsible for the poor performance.
“Some schools use two years to teach a syllabus that is supposed to be done in three years. Let us stick to three years if we want to get better results,” he said.
Dr Ssengendo tasked the Muslim-founded schools to ensure that students learn how to speak Arabic language before completing their studies.
Dr Ssengendo said IUIU came up with the Idaad and Thanawi syllabus harmonisation board to avoid producing half-baked graduates in Islamic studies.
“We have put a lot of attention on the teaching of Islamic theology and I have instructed our faculty of education to come up with certificate and diploma courses for theology teachers at all levels because we have few qualified teachers at the moment,” he said.
Dr Abdul Hafiz Walusimbi, the dean faculty of Islamic studies and Arabic language at IUIU, said they are set to revise the Islamic curriculum because they are the only consumer of the products.
“Today IUIU is the main consumer of the Idaad and Thanawi graduates. Therefore, it would be irresponsible for us not to take keen interest in it such that quality graduates are produced,” Mr Walusimbi said.

Adjustments
He said the curriculum has been in existence since 2005 to ensure quality education for the young generation at all levels because it is one of their core values as a religious-founded university.
“It is now 10 years since the curriculum was constituted and it needs to be amended to remove the ordinary guidelines,” he added.
Mr Walusimbi said IUIU is committed to ensure quality education for the young generation of this level due to the fact that its faculty of Islamic studies and Arabic language is the main consumer.