'To build a new building beside primary schools owned by the Ministry of Education will not be appropriate at this moment, based on the current economic situation'

Bandar Seri Begawan - Attention will be given to religious school periods in creating a proper scheduling for students and parents; and the construction of a separate building for religious schools next to primary schools under the Ministry of Education is unsuitable at current time.

Construction works for religious schools in both Kg Keriam and Kg Kupang will start in the near future, while some areas in the Brunei-Muara District will see reconstruction works.

This was stated by YB Pengiran Dato Seri Setia Dr Haji Mohammad bin Pengiran Haji Abdul Rahman, while addressing the issue in relation to religious schools, as raised by YB Datin Paduka Hajah Salbiah binti Haji Sulaiman, YB Awang Haji Jumat bin Akim and YB Orang Kaya Jaya Putera Dato Paduka Awang Haji Muhammad Taha bin Abdul Rauf.

The reason why some primary schools under the Ministry of Education are being used by the Ministry of Religious Affairs for conducting religious schools is based on His Majesty the Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam's titah, which stressed on utilising existing institutions. Discussions have been held between the Ministry of Religious Affairs and the Ministry of Education to use their buildings for religious schools and so far, it has not affected either systems in both ministries.

"To build a new building beside primary schools owned by the Ministry of Education will not be appropriate at this moment, based on the current economic situation.

"This will burden our economy if each school under the Ministry of Education has a separate building for religious school at the moment. However, this concept may be plausible in the future," said YB Pg Dato Seri Setia Dr Hj Mohammad.

Both YB Awg Hj Jumat and YB Orang Kaya Jaya Putera Dato Paduka Awang Haji Muhammad Taha also asked regarding the status of the construction works of religious schools in the respective areas.

YB Pehin Orang Kaya Maharaja Kerna Dato Paduka Seri Awg Hj Yaakub bin Pehin Orang Kaya Maharaja Diraja Dato Paduka Awg Hj Zainal also suggested for religious school to be continued into the secondary level, similar to the Ministry of Education's system.

To this, YB Pg Dato Seri Setia Dr Hj Mohammad responded that there is IRK in the primary and secondary level; Syariah and Usuluddin (religious subjects) in the sixth form under the MoE education system which students can pursue and sit for in O-Level and A-Level examinations up to university level. He added that the Arabic language should be promoted. With the establishment of the Arabic school, it gives students a chance to pursue religious studies.

--Courtesy of Borneo Bulletin