Educators laud move to amend Education Act 1996

SHAH ALAM: The proposal to amend the Education Act 1996 (Act 550) that could pave the way for the requirement to register private religious schools, including tahfiz centres, could help to ensure that the inadequacy faced by the institutions be addressed by the Federal government. Persatuan Institusi Tahfiz Al-Quran Negeri Selangor (PITAS) secretary Mohd Zaharudin Hussain said this was especially on the aspects of safety and infrastructure of tahfiz centres where a majority are set up at wakaf (endowment) surau or houses. "Tahfiz schools have everything to benefit when they also come under the purview of the Federal government, apart from the state. There are times when endowment properties are unsuitable, aging and needs to be renovated to be turned into a school. "That is when the Federal government, through its various agencies such as the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health as well as the Fire and Rescue Department could offer their expertise in ensuring safety requirements is in place and monitored. "I believe it would make the coordination with the relevant agencies and departments much easier when tahfiz schools are registered. It also means that tahfiz schools can be upgraded to be on par with national schools," he told the New Straits Times today. Meanwhile, Maahad Tahfiz An-Nabawi principal Mohamad Najmi Inchik Hashim, in welcoming the suggestion, also called for the consideration of religious schools to be given special allocation, on par with other national schools. "I do not see a problem with tahfiz schools having to register because we want to be seen as legal in the eyes of the Federal government and the authorities. With the registration, we hope that we are given annual funds to ensure the operations of the schools are smooth. "The Federal government could render assistance in terms of funding to maintain the tahfiz schools, which more often than not, faces financial difficulties. "We depend heavily on the students' school fees as well as contributions from the public. Contributions, however, are inconsistent and may disrupt the school's operations," he said. Meanwhile, International Islamic University Malaysia (IIUM) lecturer Ustaz Abdul Khair Jalil said the panel supervising registration of tahfiz schools must be someone familiar with the inner workings of religious schools. "They must be someone who knows how these schools operate and things that suits their study environment. "These schools cannot be standardised like conventional schools as their nature of education is different, including the background of the students," he said. As for National Union of The Teaching Profession, its president Kamarozaman Abdul Razak lauded the government's suggestion to register tahfiz schools, saying that it was long overdue. "It will be very hard for the government to monitor these schools safety-wise if they are not registered. "When a problem arises, the government will be blamed for inaction." he said. Kamarozaman said religious school administrators should not worry about the Federal government's interference in their operation as the focus would be on safety of the schools and the students. "The Education Ministry has never interfered in tahfiz school curriculum. What's important is to keep track of the well-being of the school, whether religious or conventional," he said. Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi had yesterday announced that aside from ensuring the registration of the religious schools, the Act may be amended to enable the Federal government to coordinate the administration of tahfiz schools and enable easier distribution of financial aid. Zahid announced it after chairing a two-hour meeting of a special task force on tahfiz schools. Reporting by DAWN CHAN, SOO WERN JUNE and ALIA MIOR © New Straits Times Press (M) Bhd