KUALA LUMPUR: The proposal to increase the quota of Quran and Fardu Ain (KAFA) teachers by 1,500 people in the 2025 Budget is proof that the government is serious about improving Islamic education in the country, the Dewan Rakyat was told today. Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Religious Affairs) Datuk Mohd Na’im Mokhtar emphasized that the quota increase would address the shortage of KAFA teachers, accommodate the rise in student numbers, and support the opening of classes for Students with Special Educational Needs (MBPK).
According to BERNAMA News Agency, Mohd Na’im highlighted the necessity of maintaining a teacher-student ratio of 1:30 to ensure effective teaching and learning. Currently, there are 35,000 KAFA teachers as of 2024. He was responding to a query from Sabri Azit (PN-Jerai) concerning the government’s strategies to enhance KAFA classes, ensuring they evolve with the times to cultivate high-quality human capital imbued with noble values.
Mohd Na’im reiterated the government’s ded
ication to bolstering Islamic education through KAFA’s empowerment, ensuring it remains pertinent with current advancements aligned with the educational philosophy of nurturing a virtuous generation of the ummah. He outlined various initiatives and approaches aimed at elevating the quality of KAFA education, including governance and coordination enhancements, teacher competency training programs, periodic curriculum and co-curriculum reviews, and the improvement of student performance evaluation systems.
Starting next year, Mohd Na’im announced the introduction of pre-tahfiz examinations at selected KAFA premises, offering participating students a pre-tahfiz KAFA certificate as an additional credential alongside the existing KAFA Class Assessment Test (UPKK) certificate. He affirmed that the Department of Islamic Development Malaysia (JAKIM) would continue to support the MADANI government’s ambitions to keep KAFA education dynamic and competitive.
In response to a further inquiry from Manndzri Nasib (BN-Ten
ggara) regarding the filtering process for KAFA teachers to ensure their adherence to Ahli Sunnah Wal Jamaah, Mohd Na’im assured that JAKIM would conduct a thorough evaluation process to guarantee that appointed KAFA teachers adhere to the sect.