| Wani Roslan |
THE existing syllabus and co-curricular activities at Arabic schools are among the efforts being made by the Ministry of Religious Affairs to enhance Arabic Language skills among students, said Pehin Udana Khatib Dato Paduka Seri Setia Ustaz Haji Awang Badaruddin bin Pengarah Dato Paduka Haji Awang Othman, the Minister of Religious Affairs.
He made these comments during a working visit yesterday to the Raja Isteri Pengiran Anak Hajah Saleha Girls Arabic Religious Secondary School (SUAMPRIPAHS) in Kampong Katok.
“It is hoped that these efforts by local Arabic schools will enable the students to speak three languages fluently,” he said.
The minister also noted a positive reception to Arabic schooling among the populace, indicating that parents are confident about the standards of education in Arabic schools.
“The Islamic religious stream has been providing the opportunity for excellent overseas studies and scholarships for the last 15 years,” said the minister. “About 700 scholarships have been issued through the Islamic Studies Department, both within and outside of Brunei, while some are for PhD level.”
Earlier, the minister and his delegation were welcomed by Hajijah binti Haji Moktal, the Acting Director of Islamic Studies and Hajah Rusidah binti Haji Talib, the Principal of SUAMPRIPAHS.
The minister toured several classrooms, while interacting with the new students of Year 7 and their teachers.
Later, the minister held a dialogue session with the school administrators.
The minister’s visit was particularly intended to monitor the admission of
Year 7 students to SUAMPRIPAHS, following their graduation from the Arabic Preparatory School of Bandar Seri Begawan; and the admission of Year 9 students from the Temburong Arabic School and the Belait Arabic School.
A total of 410 students are enrolled in Year 7 in SUAMPRIPAHS this year. Currently, the school has 1,646 female students in Years 7-11.
The school has achieved various academic distinctions, such as the 95.89 per cent passing score in the Brunei Religious Education Certificate (SPUB) of 2017. It also ranked first in the ‘Pidato Sejarah’ competition, and third in the ‘Syarahan Melayu Islam Beraja’ competition.
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