DPM: Joint-effort required to ensure safety of tahfiz schools

PUTRAJAYA: A joint-effort between the Education Ministry, The Malaysian Islamic Development Department (Jakim), state Islamic enforcement agencies and tahfiz associations must be conducted to ensure that tahfiz schools nationwide register and implement the national curriculum under the ministry, said Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi.
Ahmad Zahid, who chaired the High Level Committee Meeting on the Task Force for Tahfiz Schools at the Prime Minister's Office, here, today, said the meeting was held to evaluate followup actions taken by the task force during its initial meeting held in September.
"The Cabinet meeting on Oct 4, has agreed to allocate an additional RM30 million to the present RM30 million allocation announced by the Prime Minister during the 2017 Budget to improve tahfiz institutions nationwide.
"This shows the government's concern and awareness to ensure that tahfiz schools are equipped with a conducive and safe environment," he said in a statement, here, today.
The one-off allocation, he added will be channeled through the Implementation and Coordination Unit (ICU) of the Prime Minister's Department to be distributed to the respective agencies to upgrade and improve security aspects of tahfiz institutions.
"One of the more serious improvement in safety aspects is to ensure the building upgrades are conducted in line with the specifications set by the Fire and Rescue Department," he said.
The Prime Minister, he said had also announced a RM50 million contribution to GiatMara to upgrade and maintain all wiring systems in registered tahfiz schools nationwide.
In addition, Ahmad Zahid also chaired the National Social Council meeting at the same time.
The future of tahfiz schools has been a subject of interest after the Darul Quran Ittifaqiyah in Kampung Datuk Keramat, Kuala Lumpur was set on fire on Sept 14, killing 19 students and two teachers.
The suspects had not only doused a door and walls of the building with gasoline, but also used a gas cylinder to accelerate the fire.
After investigations showed that the building had been deliberately set ablaze, the case was classified as murder.
Three youths have since been charged with murder, with the trial ongoing.