Religious schools are a vital part of the Malay Islamic Monarchy (MIB) and they are deeply cherished as part of the country’s identity, His Majesty Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Mu’izzaddin Waddaulah ibni Al-Marhum Sultan Haji Omar ‘Ali Saifuddien Sa’adul Khairi Waddien, Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam said.
The integration of religious subjects into the general education system is not intended to abolish religious schools, His Majesty said in a titah during an unscheduled visit to the Ministry of Religious Affairs (MoRA) yesterday.
During the visit, His Majesty expressed concern on matters pertaining to the integration of religious subjects into general education.
In the titah, the monarch emphasised that the integration of religious subjects into the general education system, specifically for preschool to Primary 3 of religious schools, is carried out with the best intentions. The intention is to adapt the system in a way that it will not burden or stress the students.
His Majesty explained that if it continues to be a burden, it is a concern that the matter can lead to emotional or mental disturbances. However, it is important to note that this does not imply that religious education is mentally damaging. The Government of His Majesty will continuously observe the progress or implementation of the system.
His Majesty has entrusted the MoRA and the Ministry of Education to collaborate in monitoring and conducting equal assessment of the integration’s impact.
His Majesty also emphasised on the need to update and improve religious schools’ systems. It is crucial that religious school subjects, which are now part of the primary school subjects, to be professionally refined.
His Majesty also urged that this process should not be taken complacently.
The Sultan views the integration as a significant step forward and for proper development. – Rokiah Mahmud
