Entry requirements for residential, religious schools loosened, says Zahid

KUALA LUMPUR: The entry requirements to enrol in fully-residential (SBP) and religious secondary schools (SMKA) will be loosened for excellent Ujian Pencapaian Sekolah Rendah (UPSR) students, said Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi.
He said this would give students from state primary religious schools (SRAN) and the people's primary religious schools (SRAR) to apply for these schools.
He said this in a statement after chairing the High-Level Committee on Islamic Education at Parliament House today.
This was proof of the government's concern on the direction and future of Islamic Education in Malaysia, he said.
Ahmad Zahid also said that the government had agreed to review the requirement for A- to B for the Arabic Language subject in the Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia as a condition for students to apply for and enter public universities in Jordan.
In a related development, he stressed that the government also agreed to develop a Preparatory Foundation Programme for Arabic Language and implement the Arabic Language Qualifying Test in Malaysia.
He said a special pass would also be given to degree holders of the Maahad Qiraat al-Azhar in Shoubra, Egypt, and graduates of the Maahad Tahfiz al-Quran Pulai Chondong, Kelantan, as a first degree for Tahfiz Studies. — Bernama