SINGAPORE — Teacher training will be a key focus to help Singapore’s Islamic religious schools, or madrasahs, cope with an enhanced curriculum.

Giving an update on the Enhanced Joint Madrasah System introduced in 2008, Minister-in-Charge of Muslim Affairs Yaacob Ibrahim said the roll-out is on track.

The system offers a multi-disciplinary and integrated curriculum which has been described as a major paradigm shift in madrasah education.

From this year, three madrasahs will come under the system: Madrasah Al-Irsyad Al-Islamiah , Madrasah Aljunied Al-Islamiah and Madrasah Al-Arabiah Al-Islamiah.

Dr Yaacob said the enhancements will require resources.

To this end, the Islamic Religious Council (MUIS) will grow the S$6.3 million Wakaf Ilmu to benefit part-time and full-time religious education.

To help parents with the increased costs, MUIS will also increase its disbursement to the Progress Fund Madrasah Assistance Scheme (PROMAS) by 5 per cent this year.

Dr Yaacob said madrasah students will also benefit from the Education Ministry’s (MOE) Edusave Fund, amounting to almost S$700,000.

Parents can use money from Edusave to pay for enrichment programmes.

“MUIS will work closely with MOE and the six madrasahs to implement this (Edusave) in the second half of the year. I have asked MUIS to co-ordinate efforts among the madrasahs to identify areas of focus and to use the funds strategically, for example, programmes that get our students more interested in weaker areas such as Mathematics and Science,” said Dr Yaacob. CHANNEL NEWSASIA