Aziz Idris
The Ministry of Religious Affairs (MoRA) welcomes the idea of implementing a dual education system whereby general subjects will take place in the morning session while Islamic studies in the afternoon.
In a proposal by Legislative Council (LegCo) member Yang Berhormat Iswandy bin Ahmad during the 17th LegCo session yesterday, Minister of Religious Affairs Yang Berhormat Pehin Udana Khatib Dato Paduka Seri Setia Ustaz Haji Awang Badaruddin bin Pengarah Dato Paduka Haji Awang Othman said the matter has been largely discussed between the MoRA and the Ministry of Education. The minister explained that the modularity of the approach can be seen when religious teachings are practised in private schools, where students continue their learning in the afternoon.
“Two-thirds of schools in Brunei are equipped with the infrastructure to integrate both public and religious schools.
“In this way, integrating revealed knowledge (as the foundation) with acquired knowledge will produce a balanced individual who not only emphasises intellectual traits, but also has strong faith, is pious, and is of good character, to balance the life of the present world and the hereafter,” said the minister.
Yang Berhormat Iswandy said many parents working in the government and private sector claimed school runs are taking up their working hours, which in turn affect their productivity at work, especially when schools are located in staggered areas.
Hence, he added the concept will harmonise the two educational systems and help working parents save time in between school runs.
“This dual education system considers a whole day of school starting at 7.30am and finishing at 4.30pm. The arrangement is preferable to many working parents,” Yang Berhormat Iswandy said.
He added that the integrated education system was introduced few years ago, but was discontinued.
