By Sofia Nasir
SHAH ALAM, July 7 – The Selangor government is determined to enhance technical and vocational education, address the issue of passing grades in Science and Mathematics subjects, and empower Islamic education if entrusted to continue governing the state.
Menteri Besar Dato’ Seri Amirudin Shari said although technical and vocational fields are highly valuable at present, they still require further improvements at all levels.
“In the future, we will focus on secondary schools to encourage excellent and interested students to pursue technical and vocational studies,” he said at the handing over ceremony of the Selangor State School Assistance Program 2023 at the Shah Alam City Council Convention Centre, here, today.
He added that Selangor has faced a shortage of skilled and expert workforce in the engineering field for the past 10 years due to a lack of new talents nurtured at the school level.
“We need to take action. We will increase our involvement with schools because we are in the era of science and technology.
“We want to assist students, including our children, who lack foundation in science and mathematics. Otherwise, the progress of our development will be overtaken by others, and we will be left behind,” he explained.
Amirudin, who is Gombak MP, also announced the introduction of a new Islamic studies curriculum that will be implemented by early next year, following the successful organisation of the Festival Turath Islami recently.
He added that the state government aims to improve facilities, management methods, and approval processes for all private religious schools in Selangor.
“I assure the consortium of private education institutions that after completing the tahfiz school, we will assist them (students) in obtaining certification.
“We have no intention of closing down schools that have not completed their registration. Instead, we will strengthen religious education and ensure the safety and education of our children,” he said.
Amirudin reassured that the state has no plans of shutting down Islamic schools despite purported claims by political detractors.
This is evident in the fact that Selangor has the highest number of religious schools in Malaysia, with more than 20,000 students currently enrolled, he noted.
“We have more than 400 religious schools and tahfiz centres, which is the highest number in Malaysia. We also have a substantial number of secondary religious schools, including private schools.
“Despite some voices questioning our intentions to impede or close these schools, I want to make it clear that there has been no notice of closure issued based on my investigation,” he said.
Amirudin further emphasised the state government’s commitment to ensuring that religious schools and tahfiz centres meet essential requirements, particularly regarding students’ safety.
“We cannot ignore safety concerns. I have been educated with the principle of fiqh, which stresses that after preserving religion, we must prioritise safeguarding lives,” he reiterated.
In order to address operational requirements, including safety issues, the registration period for 55 private religious schools was extended last month until at least next year. This extension aims to provide these schools with sufficient time to meet the necessary criteria.
ENDS
