The integration of mandatory religious subjects into general education reduces the time spent in school from seven hours a day to six. However, religious teachers remain under the jurisdiction of the Ministry of Religious Affairs (MoRA) while the subjects under the Ministry of Education.
This was said by Permanent Secretary (Core Education) at the Ministry of Education (MoE) Dr Shamsiah Zuraini Kanchanawati binti Haji Tajuddin during a press conference at the Prime Minister’s Office yesterday.
She also said with the integration, the curriculum is based on the age and level of the students.
Asked why the system is introduced in November and not January, Dr Shamsiah Zuraini Kanchanawati said pre-school to Primary 3 students in religious schools have already completed their end-of-year examinations for 2023, adding that schools typically arrange the timetable for next year in November, providing an avenue for students, teachers and parents to adapt to the change.
Permanent Secretary at the MoRA Haji Mohammed Rosli bin Haji Ibrahim added that the new system will not impact the exam season as most students be done with exams by October 30. – Azlan Othman
