SINGAPORE: The official visit to Madrasah Al-Junied Al-Islamiah here has opened new opportunities for Sarawak to strengthen its Islamic education system through strategic collaboration and the adaptation of learning modules from the prestigious institution.
The visit was led by Dayang Norjihan, daughter of Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg, who said it was a continuation of her mother’s 2019 visit, aimed at exploring ways to adapt Singapore’s Islamic education model to further strengthen Sarawak’s education system.
“This visit is a continuation of my mother’s visit in 2019. At that time, she expressed her wish to see how the Islamic education approach at Al-Junied could be brought to Sarawak to further improve our existing system, particularly in the Islamic aspect,” she told TVS today.
She said the Sarawak Government is currently studying the potential adaptation of several learning modules from Madrasah Al-Junied, particularly in the areas of Arabic language teaching and Islamic education, for use in international schools across the State.
“The education system here is somewhat different from ours in Malaysia. Therefore, we hope to adapt suitable modules to complement the existing system in Sarawak,” she added.
According to her, the initiative will first involve private international schools under the Sarawak Government’s education programme before potentially being expanded to government schools if the pilot project produces positive outcomes.
“For now, it is still in the planning stage. However, if this trial proves successful, we hope the state government will implement it in state-administered schools,” she explained.
Although no specific timeline has been set, Dayang Norjihan expressed optimism that the adaptation process could begin soon as part of Sarawak’s efforts to build a more holistic and internationally recognised Islamic education system.
Upon arrival, Dayang Norjihan and members of the MAKSAK Women’s delegation were welcomed by Madrasah Al-Junied Al-Islamiah’s Principal, Herman Cher Ma’in, along with the school’s teaching staff.
The delegation also toured the madrasah’s science laboratory, which was officiated by the late Puan Sri Datuk Amar Juma’ani Tun Tuanku Bujang, and attended a tahlil ceremony held in her memory, followed by a donation presentation to the madrasah.
