Arabic Language Basic Preparatory Programme Among Efforts To Empower Islamic Education

PUTRAJAYA, Nov 22 (Bernama) -- Malaysia's Deputy Prime Minister Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said that the government had agreed to develop the Arabic Language Basic Preparatory Programme for Middle East-bound students and to implement the Arabic Language Aptitude Test in Malaysia. He said those were among the four mattes agreed to in the meeting of the High Level Committee on Islamic Education to ensure that Malaysia's Islamic education would remain parallel to and meet the mainstream demands. Ahmad Zahid said the committee also agreed to expand the requirements to enter full boarding schools (SBP) and religious secondary schools (SMKA) to enable more students from Sekolah Rendah Agama Negeri and Sekolah Rendah Agama Rakyat who excelled in their Ujian Pencapaian Sekolah Rendah examination, to apply and study at these schools. Besides, he said the government also agreed to give a special approval to the degree holders of Maahad Qiraat al-Azhar Shoubra, Egypt, who had graduated from Maahad Tahfiz al-Quran Pulai Chondong, Kelantan, to obtain the First Degree in Tahfiz Studies, based on the terms and conditions set by the Higher Education Ministry. "The committee also agreed to revise the minimum requirement of A- to B for Arabic Language at the Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia level to apply and enroll into public universities in Jordan," he said in a statement here Tuesday. The meeting chaired by Ahmad Zahid was also attended by Education Minister Mahdzir Khalid, Higher Education Minister Idris Jusoh and Minister in the Prime Minister's Department (Religious Affairs) Jamil Khir Baharom. -- BERNAMA