By Nazli Ibrahim
PHNOM PENH, Oct 29 — The Cambodian government is confident that the use of the Islamic religious studies module introduced by the Selangor government would run systemically at the Islamic schools in its country.
Minister in the Cambodian Prime Minister’s Department Oknha Datuk Dr Othsman Hassan said its administration conveyed its appreciation towards the Selangor government over the latter’s efforts in strengthening the foundation of the Islamic studies institution in Cambodia.
“This programme shows that the spreading of Islam in Cambodia is supported by Malaysia, particularly the Selangor government, through the Selangor Islamic Religious Council (MAIS), the Selangor Islamic Religious Department (JAIS), Selangor Zakat Board (LZS), Selangor State Development Corporation (PKNS), and many other parties.
“This effort is lauded as previously we had not been able to arrange the Islamic studies system for our children. But now we would be able to fully utilise the existing system used in the Islamic schools in Selangor by adopting the same module,” he told Media Selangor at the announcement ceremony of the Cambodian Penilaian Sekolah Rendah Agama (PSRA) examination results and launch of the PKNS textbook contribution at Masjid Ammar bin Yasir, KM9 in Crang Comreh, here on Sunday.
Othsman said though the Muslim community makes up only five per cent of the 16 million Cambodian population, he said the programme is fully supported by its Prime Minister Hun Sen.
“Through its education ministry, the Cambodian government has allocated a monthly wage of US$330 (RM1,380) for 1,500 Islamic religious studies teachers, and US$264 (RM1,105) for contract teachers, as well as developing the Islamic religious schools here,” he said.
Earlier, Othsman had presented certificates and awards to students who had excelled in the Cambodian PSRA examination, which is equivalent to the assessment used in Islamic religious schools in Selangor.
This is the first time the examination was held in Cambodia after Selangor’s Islamic religious studies module was adopted in 12 of the former’s religious schools, involving 268 students.
The module would now be used in all 608 Islamic religious schools in Cambodia.
