Pahang: Pahang is committed to further strengthening its state-owned religious secondary schools, to be on par with elite mainstream schools through a comprehensive, focused, and high-impact educational paradigm shift.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Wan Rosdy Wan Ismail stated that eight resolutions were formulated at the State-Owned Religious Secondary Schools Education Paradigm Shift Workshop. The workshop was organized by Yayasan Pahang, the state Islamic Religious Department (JAIP), and Akademi Pahang 1st, and involved nearly 70 participants, including JAIP officers, school principals, and administrators.
Wan Rosdy emphasized that these schools should not be complacent with their existing achievements. He highlighted the need for students to be nurtured to compete with the best from other schools, while teachers should continue to be empowered as the main pillar of educational success. He further noted that the success of the workshop should be assessed through tangible improvements in teaching quality, student performance, and sustained school excellence, rather than documentation alone. The state government is committed to providing full support through teacher professional development, facilities, curriculum, staffing, and quality educators.
He mentioned that the Pahang government allocates nearly RM75 million annually for the operating costs of all state-owned religious secondary schools, with an additional RM1.4 million allocated for hostel meal expenses. A total of RM116.58 million is provided for the operation of all religious schools statewide.
Furthermore, Wan Rosdy revealed that RM17.4 million has been allocated for the construction and maintenance of religious schools. Initiatives are also in place to increase allowances for hostel-based Quran and Fardhu Ain teachers, as well as daily Quran and Fardhu Ain (KAFA) teachers. Efforts to reduce school and hostel fees and further strengthen Islamic education institutions are also underway.
He expressed hope that the federal government would continue to support religious secondary schools implementing the national curriculum. Wan Rosdy noted that strong cooperation from all parties would help elevate these schools to be on par with the nation's leading educational institutions.