Temburong - Religious schools nationwide opened their doors for a registration session on pre-school religious education yesterday.

A total of 1,714 students are registered this year in the Brunei-Muara District, while 625 are registered in Belait, 951 in Tutong and 106 in Temburong.

The Compulsory Religious Education Order 2012 was enforced on January 1, 2013.

The Ministry of Religious Affairs through the Islamic Education Institute will ensure that all individuals concerned comply with the newly-implemented order.

According to the Ministry of Religious Affairs, it is obligatory for every Muslim child aged seven years and above until the age of 15 residing in Brunei Darussalam to be enrolled in pre-school and primary religious education.

Parents who fail to comply are deemed to have committed an offence under Section 5 (2). If found guilty, they could face a fine of not more than $5,000 and/or imprisonment term not exceeding one year.

The order is a milestone for the government through the Ministry of Religious Affairs and Islamic Education Institute in realising the importance of religious education in the country.

The Tanah Jambu Religious School, Brunei II in the Brunei-Muara District yesterday recorded a total of 46 pre-school religious students this year. According to the Headmaster, Norhamdaney bin Md Zain (Education Officer), a total of 371 religious students comprising pre-classes have registered for the 2013 academic year. The school currently has 14 religious teachers.

The headmaster highlighted that the number of preschool students has risen compared to previous years attributing it to the increase in residents especially at the new and nearby housing scheme.

The religious subjects taught are similar to other religious schools in the country that include Al-Quran, Rencana Jawi, Arabic language, Asuhan and Jawi reading for pre-school students. With the Compulsory Religious Education Order 2012, parents realise the importance of a religious education for their children. This is also in line with the country's vision to mould Brunei as a 'Zikir' nation.

--Courtesy of Borneo Bulletin