ADMINISTRATION OF MUSLIM LAW ACT AND TEACHING OF ISLAMIC RELIGIOUS KNOWLEDGE

Encik Mansor Haji Sukaimi asked the Acting Minister for Social Affairs what steps are being taken by his Ministry and the Majlis Ugama Islam Singapura (i) to implement the entire provisions of the Administration of Muslim Law Act; (ii) to prepare for the introduction of the Islamic Religious Knowledge subject to secondary school students; and (iii) to promote the use of better and appropriate syllabi and text books for the teaching of Islam for primary school students in mosques, "madrasahs" and other relevant institutions.

Dr Ahmad Mattar: (i) All sections of the Administration of Muslim Law Act except two have been brought into operation. The two exceptions are sections 81 and 82 which relate to the control of religious schools and the giving of grants to religious schools respectively.

The proper implementation of the provisions of these two sections would require the setting up of a special unit in MUIS made up of at least two trained teachers to supervise and inspect religious schools, and a Board to conduct tests for teachers employed by the religious schools. It is the intention of the Ministry to bring these two sections of the Act into force as soon as suitable personnel can be found to staff the special unit and the Board.

(ii) The teaching of Islamic Religious Knowledge in secondary schools is the responsibility of the Ministry of Education.

To ensure that the subject is taught only by qualified Muslim teachers, the Ministry of Education has enlisted the help of the Majlis Ugama Islam Singapura in:

a. identifying suitable Muslim teachers to teach Islamic Religious Knowledge;

b. providing a properly structured training course for these teachers;

c. drawing up a training programme relevant to the needs of the teachers; and

d. identifying suitable teachers for the training course.

MUIS has also been asked to recommend, and where possible prepare, textbooks and teaching materials.

MUIS set up a special committee headed by the Mufti of Singapore to deal with the Ministry of Education's requests.

145 teachers were selected to attend a training course in teaching Islamic Religious Knowledge. This 45-hour-long course was completed on 30 October 1982. The teachers were required to sit for an examination at the end of it to test their competence. Those teachers who successfully completed the course by attending at least 90% of the lectures and passing the end-of-course examination will receive a Certificate of Participation issued jointly by the Ministry of Education and MUIS.

(iii) The following steps had been and are being taken to promote the use of better and appropriate syllabi and textbooks for the teaching of Islam for primary school students in mosques, madrasahs and other relevant institutions:

Syllabi

After a detailed study of the religious education conducted in madrasahs, MUIS set up a committee to prepare a set of syllabi for primary school students. The syllabi prepared by this committee were distributed to all madrasahs and mosques in Singapore for implementation.

Textbooks

The Committee also carried out a survey of the textbooks used by madrasahs in Singapore. The survey disclosed that the schools were using different textbooks obtained from various sources. The Committee, however, was of the view that the textbooks were acceptable and it therefore recommended their continued use. The Committee will soon start a project to write textbooks to suit the Singapore context.

Training Course for religious teachers

MUIS has organised three training courses since 1973. All religious teachers from madrasahs, mosques and other relevant institutions were invited to attend these courses. The last course, which was held at Masjid Al-Muttaqin from 22 to 30 November 1982, was attended by 120 religious teachers. Syllabi and textbooks for use by pupils in the madrasahs were among the topics discussed in the course.

Future Plans

In the long term, the following steps are being considered by the Committee:

a. Courses/Seminars

More courses and seminars will be organised from time to time to meet the needs of the religious teachers.

b. Review

The textbooks and syllabi will be subjected to periodic reviews by the Committee which will submit its recommendation for consideration by MUIS.

c. Visits

The Committee will organise a series of visits to madrasahs and mosques to see how religious classes are being conducted. Dialogues with the teachers will be arranged during such visits.