THE Education Ministry is ready to meet any party to clear up misunderstandings on the implementation of the “Imam Al-Nawawi’s 40 Hadith” appreciation module in schools nationwide.

Its deputy minister, Lim Hui Ying, said the confusion arose when some civil society groups expressed their concerns over the implementation of the module, thus creating various speculations.

She reiterated that the implementation of the module would only involve Muslim teachers and students.

“So they (including civil society groups) need not worry. I understand their concerns, but we at MOE are ready to meet them and talk about it,” she said.

“Everyone knows that this Hadith 40 module is only for Muslim students and teachers. We at the ministry hope that this issue will not continue to be played up,” she told reporters after visiting SJKC Cheng Siu 1 and 2 in Batu Pahat today.

When asked about the teacher shortage problem in Chinese and Tamil schools, Lim said the ministry was working to resolve it.

She said the ministry had obtained data in five states –, Negri Sembilan, Selangor, Penang, Kedah and Perlis – and Kuala Lumpur. It would begin collecting data in Johor on September 7.

“Actually, the teacher shortage problem does not only involve Sekolah Jenis Kebangsaan Cina and Sekolah Jenis Kebangsaan Tamil but also Sekolah Kebangsaan (national primary schools), especially in subjects such as English, Bahasa Melayu and Islamic Education,” she said. – Bernama, August 27, 2023.