THE government will continue upgrading the education system to ensure tahfiz graduates can secure jobs.

Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department in charge of religious affairs Mujahid Yusof Rawa said tahfiz schools are encouraged to follow the guidelines set by Darul Quran, which falls under the Malaysian Islamic Development Department (Jakim).

“Many tahfiz schools have a rather loose curriculum. They follow their own style.

“Jakim, through Darul Quran, has many years of experience. We are not forcing them to do so, but we hope that they follow the guidelines, so as to produce students who are not left out of the mainstream, including in the job market,” he told reporters at the Putrajaya Islamic Complex today.

“Most importantly is the ultimate purpose of tahfiz schools. What do they want to produce?

“We don’t want to produce people who only know how to memorise (the Quran). We want people who can contribute to the country.”

He said the government recently signed a memorandum of understanding with Universiti Sains Islam Malaysia on producing hafiz graduates who hold degrees.

“The best model we have is the Darul Quran model, as it not only provides for a tahfiz diploma, but also a degree.

“It covers not just imam work (after graduation), but also TVET (Technical and Vocational Education and Training), among others.” – July 30, 2018.