BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN – The government will overhaul the Islamic education curriculum as part of the integration of religious education into mainstream schools, the minister of religious affairs said on Wednesday.
The education and religious affairs ministries are revising the curriculum at every level, from primary and secondary schools to religious schools, Pehin Dato Ustaz Hj Awg Badaruddin PDP Hj Awg Othman said in his budget readout at the Legislative Council (LegCo).
He said the syllabus revamp will involve experts from higher education institutions in the country.
Education minister Datin Paduka Hjh Romaizah Hj Md Salleh Thursday said the syllabus and assessment committee has prepared a “balanced curriculum” between depth and breadth of learning to ensure students gain a deep understanding of subjects and an appreciation of various fields of knowledge based on their age level.
The government is still ironing out issues on the integration of religious education into mainstream schools, which was implemented in schools last November to shorten the number of school hours and promote mental health.
The integration currently involves all Year 2 to 5 Muslim and non-Muslim students, allowing them to learn religious subjects at their primary schools.
However, the move has caused teething problems as the religious affairs ministry said it was only informed of the decision three weeks before its implementation.
Acknowledging public concerns on the integration, Pehin Dato Ustaz Hj Awg Badaruddin said his ministry monitors public opinion and welcomes constructive feedback.
During the LegCo deliberations on Wednesday, LegCo member Hjh Safiah Sheikh Hj Abd Salam said there were no significant differences in the number of school hours following the integration, with students still spending over seven hours at schools.
She added that there were no ablution facilities and prayer halls, especially in private schools.
“In terms of long-term planning, these facilities should be taken into account in the construction of new schools,” she said.
On Thursday, LegCo member Zainol Hj Mohamed said different teaching approaches, such as the use of technology, should be used in religious education as the new generation of students are different from previous generations.
“The teaching methods of Islamic education need to be improved to be more relevant and in line with current developments. Change is not an easy thing, but we also want to improve the faith of the younger generation without using coercion,” he said.
He further said the government must ensure the well-being of teachers in the midst of implementing the religious education integration as they face challenges in keeping up with the changes.
“It is important for us to pay attention to their mental health. We need to make sure they do not feel isolated or forgotten in this new system, and not only think about parents and students who are affected by this reform,” he said.
In response, the religious affairs minister said he “sympathizes” with the teachers who are experiencing regional integration challenges, adding that they should stay patient and adapt to the changes.
Graduates of religious studies struggle to land jobs
The minister said a large number of graduates from religious higher education institutions are unemployed, including those from Seri Begawan Religious Teachers University College (KUPU SB) and Institut Tahfiz Al-Quran Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah.
Citing January 2024 figures from the Manpower Planning and Employment Council, Pehin Dato Ustaz Hj Badaruddin said some 40.7% or 352 graduates are hunting for a job.
He said there are currently 2,588 job vacancies in various sectors. “It is fair to say that we are facing an issue of not having enough jobs for higher education graduates.”
He added that this does not mean religious studies is not useful, or graduates in religious studies can only secure jobs in a specific field, as Institut Tahfiz graduates have managed to land a job in other areas.
O-level results worsen at Arabic schools
The minister said challenges remain in improving the academic performance of students at Arabic and religious schools.
Only 33.81% of Arabic school students obtained at least five O levels last year, down from 37.86% in the previous year and below the national average of 43.78 percent.
There was also a decline in Brunei Religious Education Certificate Examination students who achieved an aggregate 6 to 8, dropping from 16.24% to 10.7%. Students who obtained an aggregate of at least five decreased to 69.5% in 2023 from 76.62% in the preceding year.
In contrast, teachers who reached at least level three in the Assessment of Brunei Teachers Standards – Teacher Performance Appraisal improved to 94.2% last year from 91.7%.