KUCHING: Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg has assured that the state government will continue to assess the people’s needs in planning education, including the expansion of religious schools.
He said the government recognised the increasing demand for such schools, particularly in Samarahan, but allocations would depend on the State’s financial capacity.
“As mentioned by the President of the Sarawak Islamic Council (MIS), Datuk Misnu Taha, areas such as Samarahan still require additional religious schools. However, I cannot promise the amount of allocation to be channelled this year.
“God-willing, if the allocation is sufficient, we will carry out the development of religious schools in the areas that need them,” he said when officiating at the opening of Sekolah Agama Datuk Haji Mohamad Mortadza here today.
Abang Johari noted that Islamic education in Sarawak has been developed since the 1960s through BINA (now Harakah Islamiah, HIKMAH).
“Now, the religious schools under the MIS umbrella have successfully expanded not only in Kuching but across the State.
“The feedback received from the Muslim community has been very positive as they prioritise these schools for their holistic and pragmatic syllabus,” he added.
Meanwhile, Misnu said 12 religious schools under the council are currently operating across nine divisions, comprising 10 primary and two secondary schools.
“The establishment of the latest school, Sekolah Agama Datuk Haji Mohamad Mortadza in February, was an important initiative to accommodate the growing demand in Kuching and its surrounding areas.
“The addition of this school aligns with parents’ hopes for formal Islamic education for their children,” he said.
Abang Johari added that 6,630 pupils are now enrolled in MIS schools guided by 587 teachers, with emphasis on Arabic, English and Mandarin, as well as STEM subjects.
“For example, at Sekolah Datuk Haji Abdul Kadir Hassan, two Mandarin classes have been introduced to nurture confident and multilingual students,” he said.
Demand for places continues to rise, with Sekolah Kebangsaan Agama Datuk Haji Abdul Kadir Hassan receiving 775 Year One applications this year, while Sekolah Agama Ibnu Khaldun at Samarahan received 196 applications despite only being able to admit 90 students.
“A similar situation is happening in Sadong Jaya, and MIS has also submitted a request for a new primary religious school in Saratok, which would be the first of its kind in the Betong Division.
“This proposal is an important step to ensure fair access to religious education throughout the State,” Misnu added.
“As mentioned by the President of the Sarawak Islamic Council (MIS), Datuk Misnu Taha, areas such as Samarahan still require additional religious schools. However, I cannot promise the amount of allocation to be channelled this year.
“God-willing, if the allocation is sufficient, we will carry out the development of religious schools in the areas that need them,” he said when officiating at the opening of Sekolah Agama Datuk Haji Mohamad Mortadza here today.
Abang Johari noted that Islamic education in Sarawak has been developed since the 1960s through BINA (now Harakah Islamiah, HIKMAH).
“Now, the religious schools under the MIS umbrella have successfully expanded not only in Kuching but across the State.
“The feedback received from the Muslim community has been very positive as they prioritise these schools for their holistic and pragmatic syllabus,” he added.
Meanwhile, Misnu said 12 religious schools under the council are currently operating across nine divisions, comprising 10 primary and two secondary schools.
“The establishment of the latest school, Sekolah Agama Datuk Haji Mohamad Mortadza in February, was an important initiative to accommodate the growing demand in Kuching and its surrounding areas.
“The addition of this school aligns with parents’ hopes for formal Islamic education for their children,” he said.
Abang Johari added that 6,630 pupils are now enrolled in MIS schools guided by 587 teachers, with emphasis on Arabic, English and Mandarin, as well as STEM subjects.
“For example, at Sekolah Datuk Haji Abdul Kadir Hassan, two Mandarin classes have been introduced to nurture confident and multilingual students,” he said.
Demand for places continues to rise, with Sekolah Kebangsaan Agama Datuk Haji Abdul Kadir Hassan receiving 775 Year One applications this year, while Sekolah Agama Ibnu Khaldun at Samarahan received 196 applications despite only being able to admit 90 students.
“A similar situation is happening in Sadong Jaya, and MIS has also submitted a request for a new primary religious school in Saratok, which would be the first of its kind in the Betong Division.
“This proposal is an important step to ensure fair access to religious education throughout the State,” Misnu added.