THE
Islamic Studies Department, Ministry of Religious Affairs yesterday launched
the establishment of its Special Religious Education Unit, seven years after
the Special Religious Education programme was first established in 2004.
Minister of Religious Affairs Pg Dato Seri
Setia Dr Hj Muhammad Pg Hj Abd Rahman said awareness on the importance of
religious education among parents had increased, with parents, including those
of special needs children, sending their children to attend religious schools.
"Based on this, it is appropriate that the
Islamic Studies Department take a responsive and innovative approach to fulfil
the needs of these students so that their presences at the religious schools
are not wasted. This effort is also one of our contributions towards 'Zikir
Nation'," he added.
The minister said 22 religious schools
implemented the special education programme: 18 religious schools in
Brunei-Muara District and four in Tutong.
"However, as there was no unit to monitor
the implementation of the programme, its execution was not properly planned and
not systematic," he said.
There are 670 special needs students referred
to Special Education Unit under the Ministry of Education. Every student has
the right to education according to their suitability and needs, and special
needs students are not excluded, he added.
The main focus of the programme were basics
skills in reading (Jawi reading), writing, practical as well as life skills.
When the programmme was introduced, there were
only six special education teachers. Until last year, the teachers were
supervised under their areas and district Islamic Education branches.
Currently, the programme has 26 teachers
qualifed in special needs education attached to 15 religious schools.
The department expects the number to increase,
as there are plans to provide opportunities for more teachers to take long-term
or short-term special education courses.
The Special Religious Education Unit will
manage the affairs of special needs students in religious schools, hence
realising the concept of inclusive education in religious schools. In addition
to that, it is aimed at strengthening the students' teaching and learning and
updating the implementation of special religious education.
The unit will also be a source of reference
for schools in matters related to special needs education, and be in charge of
evaluating and assessing for the students.
Special rooms were also provided to facilitate
the teaching and learning process in accordance with students and teachers'
needs. Religious schools also set up 'Komiti Peringkat Sekolah (KPS) or School
Level Committee, to help design, carry out and assess the effectiveness of the
programmes.
The minister officiated at the launch of the
unit yesterday at Darul Huda, Islamic Da'wah Centre.
RASIDAH HAB
The Brunei Times
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