Latest news with #KEMAS
The Sun
4 days ago
- Politics
- The Sun
Quran as life and governance foundation, says Ahmad Zahid
KUALA LUMPUR: Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi has called for the Quran to serve as the foundation of life and governance to cultivate a spiritually and intellectually balanced generation. He stated that the Quran should influence policymaking, education, and economic strategies beyond mere recitation and memorisation. 'Today's fast-paced world sees unchecked technological growth, towering skyscrapers, and rapid economic progress, yet human souls grow restless, and morality declines,' he said. 'The Quran is a divine guide, a civilisational code, and the bond connecting humanity to Allah SWT,' he added during the World Quran Symposium 2025 opening at the Kuala Lumpur World Trade Centre. Minister in the Prime Minister's Department (Religious Affairs) Datuk Dr Mohd Na'im Mokhtar also attended the event. Ahmad Zahid stressed that while physical and technological advancements are crucial, Malaysia must also nurture a Quranic generation grounded in faith and noble values. The government supports this vision through initiatives like the TVET Huffaz programme and Pre-Tahfiz Programme in KEMAS preschools. 'From 100 preschools, the programme now spans 8,167 KEMAS preschools, targeting 140,000 young huffaz by 2026,' he said. MARA further supports this through its ulul albab concept in 57 MRSM institutions nationwide. 'MRSM ranks among the top-performing schools in recent SPM results,' he noted. Ahmad Zahid described the symposium as a strategic effort to position Malaysia as a leader in global Islamic discourse. 'Malaysia bridges intellectual heritage and modern innovation, serving as a hub for moderate Islamic dialogue,' he said. He urged participants to transform symposium discussions into actionable policies rooted in Quranic values. The event gathered 1,500 attendees, including scholars, students, and policymakers, to deepen Quranic appreciation in daily life. - Bernama
Barnama
4 days ago
- Politics
- Barnama
Al-Quran Should Be The Foundation Of Life And Governance
GENERAL KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 7 (Bernama) -- Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi has emphasised the need to make the Quran the foundation in all aspects of life and country governance to raise a spiritually and intellectually balanced generation. He stressed the Quran should shape policymaking, education, and economic strategies, rather than be limited to recitation and memorisation alone. 'Today, we live in a fast-paced world where technology advances without boundaries, with an abundance of skyscrapers, and a rapidly advancing economy. Yet behind all this progress, the human soul grows increasingly restless, and morals are eroding, weakening our sense of humanity. 'Here lies the role of the Quran, a divine manual for life, a guide, a code for building civilisations, and above all, a rope that connects humankind to Allah SWT,' he said when opening the World Quran Symposium 2025 in conjunction with the 65th International Quran Recitation and Memorisation Assembly (MTHQA) at the Kuala Lumpur World Trade Centre, today. Minister in the Prime Minister's Department (Religious Affairs), Datuk Dr Mohd Na'im Mokhtar, was also present. Ahmad Zahid, who also serves as the Minister of Rural and Regional Development, said that while physical and technological advancements are essential, Malaysia must also focus on nurturing individuals of a Quranic generation with strong faith, rooted in noble values, who excel in both this world and the hereafter. To support the aspiration, the government implements various initiatives, including the Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) Huffaz (Quran memorisers) programme and the Pre-Tahfiz Programme at Community Development Department (KEMAS) preschools. 'Starting with just 100 preschools, the programme has expanded to over 8,167 (KEMAS) preschools nationwide and aims to produce 140,000 young huffaz by 2026,' he said, adding that the aspiration is also supported by Majlis Amanah Rakyat (MARA) with its ulul albab (intellectuals with good character) concept at 57 MARA Junior Science Colleges (MRSM) nationwide. 'Alhamdulillah, MRSM ranks among the top-performing schools in the Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia (SPM) examination, whose results were announced recently,' he added.
Barnama
31-07-2025
- Politics
- Barnama
13MP: KEMAS Ready To Implement Steps To Make Preschool Compulsory From Age Five
KUALA LUMPUR, July 31 (Bernama) -- The Community Development Department (KEMAS) is prepared to implement crucial measures under the 13th Malaysia Plan (13MP), which makes preschool education compulsory from the age of five. KEMAS said the announcement also aligned with the efforts and commitment as instructed by Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, who is also the Minister of Rural and Regional Development, to the department. 'KEMAS also welcomes the tabling of the 13MP by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, which directly included KEMAS preschools in the initiative to build, repair and upgrade educational facilities. 'As the early education implementing agency that has been operating for the past 55 years, KEMAS will take immediate measures in line with several actions being taken to strengthen the preschool learning ecosystem," it said in a statement today. It added that KEMAS has mobilised comprehensive action plans to upgrade and repair all KEMAS preschool premises nationwide from early this year. The KEMAS registration process for preschool intake for the 2026 session is currently open and will close on Aug 31. 'So far, KEMAS handles 10,567 preschool classes and 546 childcare centres, involving over 200,000 preschool children under the guidance of nearly 11,000 trained educators. 'This effort is strengthened with the implementation of special early education programmes like 'Tunas Istimewa' and 'Pra Tahfiz', which continue to get positive response from the community,' it added. Meanwhile, the Ministry of Higher Education (KPT) said in a separate statement that, as the key leader in driving the country's higher education, the ministry is committed to playing a comprehensive role in achieving the 13MP goals.
Malay Mail
31-07-2025
- Business
- Malay Mail
13MP: Malaysia allocates RM67b to build schools, boost STEM and early education
KUALA LUMPUR, July 31 — A total of RM67 billion will be allocated for the education sector under the 13th Malaysia Plan (13MP), including building new schools, repair and upgrade school buildings, KEMAS kindergartens, facilities and amenities of public higher education institutions. Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said the construction of schools would also be made a condition for Planning Permission for new large-scale housing projects while the construction of vertical schools would be expanded to address the issue of student density and the lack of suitable school sites. 'The government is determined to ensure that the enrolment rate of pre-school and secondary school students reaches 98 per cent, which is above the universal enrolment rate. 'For the record, by 2025, the government has upgraded 1,200 dilapidated schools nationwide,' he said when tabling the 13th MP at Dewan Rakyat here, today. Meanwhile, he said the Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia (SPM) which is the main benchmark at national level will continue to be used to assess the effectiveness of the education system's policies, curriculum and pedagogical approaches. Anwar said the quality of the country's education at the same time would be improved to be at the international average level based on the Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA) and Trends in International Mathematics and Science Study (TIMSS) assessments to ensure the education system remains competitive and relevant. 'To improve educational outcomes, the government is moving towards making pre-school compulsory starting at the age of five. At the same time, more preschool facilities in schools managed by the Ministry of Education (MOE) will be provided, especially in rural areas. 'The government will also conduct a review of optimal school hours, evaluate the effectiveness of special schools and improve the education model for gifted and talented students,' he said. He said focus would also be given to strengthening the mastery of the Malay language at all levels, in addition to making English part of the language of learning and communication, while additional language learning would also be expanded. 'Emphasis would also be given to strengthening STEM education and digital literacy, including the introduction of AI basics to produce a generation that is ready to meet the demands of the high-value future job market,' he said. He said the national education system would also be streamlined to be more integrated, effective and responsive to future challenges and for this, the MOE would be fully responsible for regulating preschool to secondary education. For pre-university and higher education, Anwar said it would be coordinated by the Ministry of Higher Education (MOHE) with the aim of clarifying jurisdiction and improving policy and implementation efficiency. — Bernama
Barnama
31-07-2025
- Business
- Barnama
RM67 Billion Needed For Education Under 13PM
GENERAL KUALA LUMPUR, July 31 (Bernama) -- A total of RM67 billion will be allocated for the education sector under the 13th Malaysia Plan (13MP), including building new schools, repair and upgrade school buildings, KEMAS kindergartens, facilities and amenities of public higher education institutions. Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said the construction of schools would also be made a condition for Planning Permission for new large-scale housing projects while the construction of vertical schools would be expanded to address the issue of student density and the lack of suitable school sites. 'The government is determined to ensure that the enrolment rate of pre-school and secondary school students reaches 98 per cent, which is above the universal enrolment rate. 'For the record, by 2025, the government has upgraded 1,200 dilapidated schools nationwide,' he said when tabling the 13th MP at Dewan Rakyat here, today. Meanwhile, he said the Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia (SPM) which is the main benchmark at national level will continue to be used to assess the effectiveness of the education system's policies, curriculum and pedagogical approaches. Anwar said the quality of the country's education at the same time would be improved to be at the international average level based on the Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA) and Trends in International Mathematics and Science Study (TIMSS) assessments to ensure the education system remains competitive and relevant. 'To improve educational outcomes, the government is moving towards making pre-school compulsory starting at the age of five. At the same time, more preschool facilities in schools managed by the Ministry of Education (MOE) will be provided, especially in rural areas. 'The government will also conduct a review of optimal school hours, evaluate the effectiveness of special schools and improve the education model for gifted and talented students,' he said. He said focus would also be given to strengthening the mastery of the Malay language at all levels, in addition to making English part of the language of learning and communication, while additional language learning would also be expanded.
