Tahfiz managements welcome move to amend Act 550

The proposal to amend the Education Act (Act 550) to enable the registration of private Islamic education institutions including private tahfiz schools under the act was well-received by the managements of various tahfiz schools.

Madrasah Tahfiz Al-Quran Sidi Ibrahim Ar-Rashid principal Mohd Muzlim Salleh said any amendments which could bring about benefits would be welcomed by madrasah (religious school) operators.

"When the amendments bring benefits and solutions, we will support. But if the amendments are aimed at closing down madrasah then it is not a solution, merely running away from the problems.

"To resolve the problems, we could amend a certain act which will give the best alternative solutions," he told reporters when met at the madrasah here Thursday.

He was commenting on the proposal of the Tahfiz School Special Task Force which met in Putrajaya two days ago on amending the Education Act 1996 (Act 550) to bring private Islamic education institution administration, including tahfiz schools under the act.

Mohd Muzlim added that any amendments should take into consideration the provision of assistance, grant or subsidy to private tahfiz madrasahs apart from giving advice in line with current education development.

Earlier, 111 students and staff of the madrasah attended a briefing on fire organised by Johor KPJ Specialist Hospital Fire Safety Unit here.

Madrasah students and staff were informed of the various types of fire, ways of using fire extinguishers and to escape in a fire.

-- BERNAMA