Kuala lumpur: The government will launch a comprehensive training programme to introduce information and digital technology to all religious schools, including pondok (religious boarding school) institutions, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim announced. This initiative follows discussions with educators and leaders of pondok institutions, who have agreed to modernize the curriculum by incorporating modern skills.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, the Prime Minister emphasized that the goal is not to alter the traditional manhaj tarbiah curriculum but to integrate essential skills relevant to today's digital age. "We are implementing significant changes by providing substantial support to reinforce and empower the education system, including the pondok education structure," Anwar stated. He suggested additional subjects like Malay language, history, and information technology to ensure the 300,000 to 400,000 children in religious and Arabic schools are not left behind.
Anwar made these remarks during the opening of the Mengkuang Titi Mosque and the Nuzul Quran 1447H celebration in Permatang Pauh. The event was attended by prominent figures including Penang Deputy Chief Minister I Datuk Mohamad Abdul Hamid, Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Dr Zulkifli Hasan, Education Minister Fadhlina Sidek, Youth and Sports Minister Dr Mohammed Taufiq Johari, and Chief Secretary to the Government Tan Sri Shamsul Azri Abu Bakar.
The event commenced with a tadarus (recitation of the) al-Quran 30 juz and Khatam al-Quran ceremony, engaging approximately 300 youths through the Rakan Masjid X Rakan Muda Ramadan Programme. This initiative, a collaboration between the Department of Islamic Development Malaysia (JAKIM) and the Ministry of Youth and Sports, aims to increase youth participation in mosque activities throughout Ramadan, focusing on spiritual, educational, and community service activities.
In conjunction with the event, the Prime Minister also inaugurated the Islamic Educational Institution (IPI) Digital Transformation Initiative. This initiative, a strategic partnership between the Malaysia Digital Economy Corporation (MDEC) and JAKIM, seeks to empower Islamic educational institutions by developing digital skills and fostering familiarity with future technologies. This aligns with Malaysia's vision of becoming an Artificial Intelligence (AI) Nation by 2030.