MUIS' $6-$8 Million Expenditure On Madrasahs' NEW curriculum

(First published: 2007)
(Last updated: 21.1.2009)

I believe many have their own reservations on this issue. I was personally surprised too with MUIS' intention to 'standardised' the LANGUAGE of the religious curriculum like Tauhid, Fiqh and Sirah to ENGLISH. There are madrasahs who have been more than comfortable using Arabic medium in their religious curriculum while some are using Malay medium curriculum(Irsyad's previous Ukharawi's curriculum).

It's good to have the English versions for parents who do not want to pressure their kids to too much Arabic especially with daily Akhlaq or Fiqeh studies where it is more convenient to absorb the contents in languages we are comfortable with. So the kids are left to focus the studying of Arabic Language in terms of 'nouns),'nahu & saraf' (Arabic grammar usage) and other terms relating to the learning of Arabic Language.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
WHY NOT JUST PUBLISH BOOKS FROM ANDALUS?

Wondering if MUIS had initially considered to just using our high quality locally published religious books like those from Andalus instead of relying on external sources IQRA' (Chicago-based). *Note the super-high costs involved.

I believe direct language translations of Andalus' books to English would be a breeze and definitely low in costs! Also, MUIS would just need to print these books only to madrasahs which agree on using them without compromising other madrasahs which prefer to continue using Arabic books.

To this, MUIS would just need to focus on improving the standard of English Language of our madrasahs in other forms. Example, like getting expert advices or services from English language specialists like those that I had mentioned in my post above.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
MUIS' LUGHAHTUL AL-A'RABIAH BOOKS

However, in my very personal opinion, the 'Lughahtul Al-Arabiah books printed by MUIS with the help of IQRA organisation are... not good enough. The colourful pictures are the only things that make up the non-systematic approach and that includes the 'not-much-effective-practices-workbook' as well. Even an ustadz with whom I learnt my Arabic Language even commented the non-qualitiness of the books.

I have 2 kids in different madrasahs who are using MUIS's Lughahtul Al-Arabiah books. And it seems that their teachers are supplementing super-extra worksheets,cds and exercises in their exercise books on top of using these books. Come to think of it.. Are the books really good and effective enough to be used despite the huge expenditure involved?

Has MUIS consulted ENOUGH Arabic Language experts for the usage of these books for our LOCAL students who are generally non-Arabic speakers themselves? In addition to this, there are even long reading texts in it. Does MUIS bear in mind that there are students,generally the P1s and P2s who may not be proficient yet in their Arabic reading?

My kids do not have any problems on this as they are able to read surahs and Quran as early as K2. But there may still be some of the P1s/P2s who may not be proficient yet in their Arabic reading.(**Tip: Mr Razak mentioned that since Irsyad is the best madrasah ~based on 2008 PSLE results within madrasahs~ in Singapore and hence will only take in the best students to join the Irsyad's family)
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

And who says Arabic is not relevant in Singapore's context( as mentioned by a MUIS official years ago)? Wondering if MUIS has really2 discuss the matter on publishing English Ukhrawi books in-depth and whole-heartily with all parties involved? Still I wonder why there are refusals from some madrasahs to use the new books but continue using the Arabic versions. I believe they have their personal reasons e.g long-term benefits for their students using Arabic medium at an early age. ( Currently, only Madrasah Wak Tanjung, Madrasah Alsagoff and Madrasah Aljunied(the current P3 and above) are using Arabic medium language for their Ukhrawi subjects)

I understand MUIS's good intentions in improving the standard of English in madrasahs. Could be one of the strong reasons for implementing the English Ukhrawi books. Very good indeed, I must say.

However,I wish MUIS would not overlooked to improve and standardise all madrasahs' secular subjects particularly English in terms of grammar,vocabulary, comprehension (including graphic stimulus type for P5-P6), cloze passages (grammar and vocabulary cloze passages),oral (English and Malay) as well as composition writing(namely continuous writing and situational writing for P5-P6). These must be done on a regular basis to achieve mastery.

There have been good assessment books on the market now that should be included into the madrasahs curriculum which I believe would benefit our madrasah students. I meant.. to be used together on top of the madrasahs' textbooks. Just to rely solely on the textbooks and workbooks say MY PALS ARE HERE series is undoubtly insufficient.

I have spoken to a Mr Adnan from MUIS over the phone some years ago giving some suggestions for the remaking of madrasahs's curriculum including this local company's site click here on their expertise in composition writing and others... Wondering if any actions had been taken prior to that call I made....