SHAH ALAM, March 2 — The state government is giving strong attention to religious education institutions, including the provision of teacher emoluments, said Selangor Islamic Religious Department (JAIS) director Dato’ Mohd Shahzihan Ahmad.
“Of the approved allocation, 60 per cent is used to pay teachers’ salaries. This is a major step for the state’s religious education, even though these matters fall under the federal government,” he said.
Presently, more than 200 religious primary schools (SRA) and integrated religious primary schools (SRAI) in the state are under JAIS administration.
Shahzihan said JAIS also assists teachers in obtaining better career pathways in addition to developing the infrastructure of religious institutions in collaboration with various organisations.
“Additionally, around 23 Government-Aided Religious Schools (SABK) have become JAIS schools but still use the teacher scheme from the Education Ministry. All of this is to ensure proper teacher staffing,” he said.
According to him, the success of religious education institutions is also the result of cooperation among various parties, including the Selangor Islamic Religious Council (MAIS), Selangor Zakat Board, and Selangor Waqf Corporation.
Meanwhile, Shahzihan said the extension of mosque committee members’ tenure from three years to five years is meant to ensure better programme planning and implementation. This allows committee members to implement their plans more effectively without the disruption of frequent elections.
Appropriate action will be taken against members found to be ineffective. Elections can be held through meetings or referred to an arbitration committee for critical positions once a tenure ends.
“After five years, re-elections will take place. If the same members are reappointed, that is acceptable, but nominations and appointments must still be conducted,” he said.
He added that if there are suspected cases of misappropriation, they will be referred to the authorities.
