As a concerned parent, I want to share my thoughts on the current state of religious education in our schools, particularly as my youngest son prepares to enter Year 2 next year.
Traditionally, by the age of eight, students would begin their religious studies in Darjah Pra, but with the new integrated education system, children are now required to stay for lunch and are dismissed at 3pm. While the implementation of this system has generally been smooth, it has raised valid concerns among some parents.
One key issue is that many children still struggle to identify Jawi letters. This is hardly surprising, given that they only receive a fraction of the school day dedicated to their religious studies.
One parent I spoke to mentioned that her son’s class has 30 students, making it difficult for teachers to provide the individual attention each child needs.
Additionally, some schools lack adequate facilities, such as proper ablution areas. It is disheartening to see students rushing to the washroom just to be first in line to perform ablution. With minimal supervision, children being children, some end up in scuffles, with a lot of pushing and shoving.
Even some religious teachers express concern that time for teaching is limited, as they often have to squeeze multiple topics into a single lesson.
The foundational years of education are crucial for a child’s development, and since the integrated system seems to be a permanent fixture, why not let the older students in Darjah 4, 5, and 6 stay until 3pm?
This change would allow the younger students to sit for their religious lessons in a manner similar to the previous system, where they had ample time for focused learning.
Our beloved monarch in a recent titah emphasised the importance of ensuring that all Bruneian children can read Al-Quran with Tajwid, particularly in primary school. Yet, how can we expect this to happen when many eight- and nine-year-olds struggle to recognise basic Jawi letters? While some families can afford private Al-Quran classes, this option is out of reach for the majority.
I urge the authorities to collaborate and develop a more effective solution that prioritises our children’s educational needs without causing undue inconvenience to families.
Many parents, including some of my colleagues, express frustration over the current schedule, especially those living far from the school and have to leave work early to pick up their children. It’s time for us to ensure that our children receive the comprehensive religious education they deserve.
Concerned Mum
