Considering Madrasah Education for Your Child?

MADRASAH EDUCATION Nurturing Tomorrow’s Religious Leaders Considering Madrasah Education for Your Child?

As your child enters the age eligible for primary school in the coming year, you may have started thinking about the educational pathway which you may want for your child. For Muslim parents, madrasah education may be a possible option besides enrolling into an MOE national primary school.

This booklet serves to provide key information on madrasah education to help parents who wish to enrol their child in the madrasah make an informed decision on their child’s educational journey based on the child’s needs.

While madrasah education offers the kind of Islamic learning environment which most Muslim parents would prefer, the demands of the curriculum and the educational pathways may not necessarily suit the child. Thus, it is important to consider the various factors before making the decision to choose madrasah education for your child. CONTENTS Preserving our Islamic Legacy & Heritage 04 Faith-inspired & Values-centred Education 05 Foundational Development of Future Religious Leaders 07 Choosing the Right Madrasah 11 Financing Your Child’s Schooling 12 Parents and Madrasahs as Partners 14 Registering Your Child for Primary 1 14 Preserving our Islamic Legacy & Heritage

Madrasahs are full-time Islamic religious schools with the aim of developing religious scholars, leaders and educators for the Singapore Muslim community. Madrasahs in Singapore have been in existence since early in the 20th century, and have a long illustrious history.

Madrasahs are key institutions which have contributed in preserving the Islamic legacy and heritage of the Singapore Muslim community. Successive generations of religious scholars, leaders and educators were graduates of our madrasahs who had imparted knowledge and tradition, built Islamic institutions and inculcated moral values in the community.

By enrolling your child in a madrasah, your child’s educational journey will not be just a personal one but also a part of the community which will continue to build the Islamic legacy and heritage for the future.

0604 Faith-Inspired & Values-Centred Education

Presently, there are six full-time madrasahs:

Madrasah Type Programme Madrasah Irsyad Zuhri Al-Islamiah Co-Ed Primary Madrasah Wak Tanjong Al-Islamiah Co-Ed Primary to Pre-U Madrasah Al-Maarif Al-Islamiah All-Girls Primary to Pre-U Madrasah Alsagoff Al-Arabiah All-Girls Primary to Pre-U Madrasah Al-Arabiah Al-Islamiah Co-Ed Secondary Madrasah Aljunied Al-Islamiah Co-Ed Secondary to Pre-U

Each of the madrasahs has its own suitable pathway for your child within unique history, identity, vision and madrasah education. focus. However, all of them share a common philosophy of education In 2008, the Joint Madrasah System which is rooted in the Islamic tradition was formed with Madrasah Irsyad and values with a forward-looking Zuhri Al-Islamiah serving as the and progressive modern outlook. primary feeder school to Madrasah Aljunied and Madrasah Al-Arabiah Madrasahs have adapted and Al-Islamiah. evolved with the national education landscape. Today, madrasahs have Madrasah Aljunied Al-Islamiah will significantly progressed in the delivery provide the pathway for those who of Singapore’s national curriculum wish to pursue further education in academic subjects like English, in Islamic studies and eventually Mathematics, Science and Mother become asatizah. Since 2019, Tongue from primary up to the Pre-U Madrasah Aljunied Al-Islamiah level. The Islamic studies curriculum has offered the International have also changed with the times Baccalaureate Diploma for selected taking into consideration the context students in addition to its existing of Singapore’s socio-cultural realities. Aliyah programme which meets the requirements for entry into Islamic With the varied offerings by each tertiary institutions such as Al-Azhar madrasah, there are now more University and University of Jordan. options for parents in deciding the

05 Madrasah Al-Arabiah will provide the pathway for those who wish to pursue other academic fields in national post-secondary institutions like junior colleges, polytechnics and ITEs.

Madrasah Alsagoff Al-Arabiah, Madrasah Al-Ma’arif Al-Islamiah and Madrasah Wak Tanjong Al-Islamiah offer primary education up to Pre-U level. Students of these madrasahs will sit for national examinations (PSLE, GCE O levels and GCE A levels) in addition to their Aliyah/Diploma programme to meet entry requirements into Islamic tertiary institutions.

The following diagram illustrates the pathways from primary, secondary up to Pre-U level:

Al-Azhar & Local & Local & Al-Azhar & Other Islamic Overseas Overseas Other Islamic Universities Universities Universities Universities

IB & Aliyah Aliyah (Pre-U) GCE A Level / Aliyah (Pre-U) / Exams Exams Diploma Pengajian Islam (DPI) JC / Examinations Poly / IB Islamic Studies Academic / + ITE PU1 - PU2 Islamic Studies Islamic GCE O Level Studies Academic(Exp) GCE O / N Level + Islamic Studies GCE O / N Level Internal Assessment Academic Academic (Express/NA) (Express/NA) Academic(Exp) + Dirasat + Islamic Studies Dineeyah

S1 - S4 +

Islamic Studies Madrasah Madrasah Aljunied Al-Arabiah

PSLE & Islamic Studies PSLE & Islamic Studies Examinations Placement Examinations

Primary Level Madrasah Madrasah Alsagoff P1 - P6

Madrasah Al-Ma’arif Madrasah Irsyad Zuhri

Madrasah Wak Tanjong

OTHER MADRASAHS JOINT MADRASAH SYSTEM

06 Foundational Development of Future Religious Leaders

Madrasah Curriculum

Unlike MOE national schools, the six full-time madrasahs in Singapore do not have a shared religious education curriculum. As a private school, each madrasah adapts its own curriculum according to its own vision and mission.

The madrasahs will equip your child with the relevant knowledge, skills, competencies and values to thrive in the 21st Century. The madrasahs’ respective curriculum incorporates a strong foundation of Islamic teachings, rooted in the Qur’an and Sunnah, that promotes learning, thinking, creativity, akhlaq and khidmah through integrated and learner-centred approaches. Desired Outcomes

At the primary level, madrasahs aim to achieve the following desired outcomes of education and values: Shared Madrasah Primary Education- Philosophy, Desired Outcomes and Values

A strong foundation of Islamic Teachings, rooted in the Qur’an and Sunnah that promotes learning, thinking, creativity, akhlaq and khidmah; through PHILOSOPHY intergrated and learner-centered approaches.

Language, Moral-Spiritual Cognitive & Learning Literacy & Arts An honest Attitude A confident practicing Muslim A resilient, cooperative, communicator who who is able to curious and creative has an awareness distinguish right thinker who upholds the of the arts. from wrong adab of learning

DESIRED Citizenry & Physical & Mental Social-Emotional OUTCOMES Leadership Well-being Learning A responsible citizen who An active and A considerate student helps others, cares for healthy student who builds positive the environment and who leads a well- relationships and leads by example balanced lifestyle habits

God-conscious Caring Excellence Contributive (Taqwa) (Ihsan) (Itqan) (Khidmah) We are conscious We are caring We strive for We are of Allah by and respectful excellence by contributive being grateful, to others and being resilient by acting VALUES upholding courageous and creative responsibly good and in doing right in facing and being forbidding evil actions challenges helpful to others

07 The madrasahs’ curricula generally practise the use of such skills either cover three main aspects of individually or collaboratively as education: a team.

1. Subjects in Both Religious 3. Character and Spiritual and Academic Disciplines Development

These include subject areas such This is purposefully facilitated as languages (English, Malay, and through madrasahs’ school culture Arabic), Islamic theology (Tauhid), and environment through the Islamic jurisprudence (Fiqh), Islamic exemplary modelling of teachers etiquettes (Akhlaq), Prophetic and peers in their daily interactions, traditions (Hadith), Islamic history congregational worship activities (Sirah) and Islamic scripture (Al- and collective learning within and Qur’an), mathematics and sciences. outside the classrooms. Your child They are designed to provide your will be inculcated with values as child with a strong foundation to taught by the Holy Prophet p.b.u.h. enable their future pursuit of learning and internalise the meaning of Iman, at the secondary and tertiary level. Islam and Ihsan.

2. Life Skills Mastery

The learning experience will support your child’s development in their cognitive and practical skills essential for life and civic responsibility. This is achieved through daily interactions, projects and exposure through various learning modes provided by the madrasahs. Your child will

08 For the academic subjects, madrasahs only offer Standard level subjects at primary school. For students who require learning at Foundation level, they are encouraged to consider transferring to a national school where they are better supported. This is also similar for those who require learning support due to learning disabilities or other special needs.

At Secondary level, madrasahs are only able to offer the Express stream. Students who are eligible for Normal Academic stream can still be accepted to continue their learning at Secondary 1 on a case by case basis. Nonetheless, for such students who are accepted, madrasahs will cater to the students’ individual needs and offer differentiated learning according to the students’ ability levels. For students in need of additional support, targeted intervention will be provided through small group learning sessions to help them keep up with the standard pace of learning. For higher ability students, they will also be given the opportunities to be challenged through participation in additional programmes which will help to maximise their potential.

Trilingual Mastery

Your child will be exposed to English, Malay and Arabic Languages at Standard level. English is the lingua franca used internationally, Malay is the lingua franca used regionally, and Arabic is the language of al-Qur’an and Hadith of the Prophet (p.b.u.h). Arabic language is fundamental to the understanding of many of the Islamic concepts and terms, as much of Islamic knowledge and disciplines were developed and documented drama, robotics. Madrasahs have in Arabic. Competency in Arabic is also provided opportunities for their thus critical to Madrasah education. outstanding students by linking them up to attachments and internships at Student Development organisations such as mosques, non- profit organisations and companies, Beyond the academic curriculum, as well as programmes run by madrasahs offer a comprehensive external organisations. Madrasahs co-curricular programme to nurture also frequently send their most the holistic development of their talented students to participate in students. These would include a local and international competitions wide range of co-curricular activities and tournaments in areas such covering sports such as archery, as the Mathematics Olympiad, fencing, soccer and track & field as Quranic tilawah and tahfiz, debates well as others like angklung, coding, and Science.

09 Mental Health & Student Well-Being

Madrasahs take seriously the social and psychological well-being of their students. Since 2018, Club HEAL has been appointed by Muis to provide basic counselling support to our full-time madrasahs. At present, two full- time counsellors will visit the madrasahs at least once a week to provide counselling treatment and support. Club HEAL has facilitated referrals to specialised services such as REACH, collaborated with the madrasahs for the students’ treatment plan as well as provided relevant information and training on mental health and well-being to students, teachers and parents. It is hoped that with such support provided, more mental health issues are prevented and addressed early.

Multi-Measure Assessment System to Support Learning

Madrasahs adopt various assessment strategies to evaluate the quality of teaching and students’ learning. These would include:

• Achievement tests • Embedded assessments • Performance assessments • Portfolios • Field Observations

Recognition of Students’ Performance

Achievements of madrasah students in both academic and religious subjects are recognised to inspire them to continue to excel.

Similar to the Edusave Awards in the national schools, the Madrasah Student Awards (MSA) is a yearly award meant to uplift madrasah students’ overall performance.

The top 5% of Singaporean madrasah students are given awards for good performance and improvement in results in both academic and religious subjects.

The award quantum for the different levels is as follows:

LEVEL PRI 1-4 PRI 5-6 SEC 1-5 PRE-U

Award Quantum $200 $300 $350 $400

10 Choosing the Right Madrasah The most pertinent question to ask yourself before you consider enrolling your child in the madrasah is whether your child and yourself as parents, are ready to be a part of this demanding but ultimately, fulfilling madrasah education experience. You will need to assess whether your child has the aptitude to undertake the heavy dual curriculum load and has the aspiration and passion to pursue a possible career in the religious field.

You will need to be prepared to give extra support in view of the demanding learning experience, should you decide to enrol your child in the madrasah. In deciding on the specific madrasah, you may consider the unique offerings of each madrasah as well as other factors like distance, school leadership and culture, fees, etc based on your child’s learning needs. The following is relevant information on each madrasah offering primary education for your consideration.

MADRASAH IRSYAD ZUHRI WAK TANJONG AL-MA’ARIF ALSAGOFF Subjects • Arabic Language English Language Malay Language Al-Quran Mathematics Science • Tarbiyah • Fiqh • Islamic Religious • Akhlak • Physical • Hadith Knowledge • Fiqh Education • Sirah • Islamic • Hadith • Tauhid Social Studies • Jawi • Information and • Information • Sirah Communications Technology • Tauhid Technology

Selected • Archery • Green Club • Google Applied • Archery CCAs • Art • Library Club Digital Skills • Baking/Cooking • ICT • Netball • Gym • Kalam Jama’ie • Entrepreneurship • Performing Arts • Silat • Netball • Fitness • Robotics • Sustainable • Qasidah Programme • Soccer Gardening • Sewing • Gymnastics • Visual Arts • Swimming • Swimming • Khat Calligraphy • Volleyball • Martial Arts • Tahsin Quran • Traditional Arts Co-ed / Co-ed Female only Female Only Eligibility Open to all with a percentage cap Only Singapore Citizens for non-Singapore Citizens

Madrasah https://irsyad.sg/ https://mwti.edu.sg/ https://almaarif.edu.sg/ https://alsagoff.edu.sg/ Website

11 Financing Your Child’s Schooling

Fees

MADRASAH LEVEL FEES (2021)

Singapore Singapore Foreigners Citizen Permanent Resident

Irsyad Zuhri Primary $130 $200 $360

Wak Tanjong Primary $110 - -

Al-Ma’arif Primary $100 - -

Lower Primary $170* - - Alsagoff Upper Primary $180* - -

*including meals

Edusave Pupils Fund

Every Singapore Citizen student Once your child reaches 16 years at primary or secondary level will old, his Edusave balance will be receive an annual contribution transferred to his Post-Secondary into their Edusave account. Each Education Account (PSEA). Your student receives an annual Edusave child can use their PSEA to pay contribution of $200 at primary level for approved fees and charges in and $240 at secondary level. The approved educational institutions. Edusave account can be used to pay for approved fees and enrichment programmes. The madrasah will seek the parents’ consent to deduct from their child’s Edusave account to pay for enrichment programmes organised by the school.

12 PROMAS

The Progress Fund Madrasah Assistance Scheme (PROMAS) is meant to support the educational and developmental needs of Madrasah students from Zakat-receiving and low-income families. PROMAS application needs to be made annually. Zakat-receiving families and Singapore Citizen children of other low-income families whose per-capita income (PCI) does not exceed $500 will be eligible to apply.

Other Financial Support

Madrasah students can also consider financial support provided by other organisations, as well as the individual madrasah’s own financial support scheme.

The following is a non-exhaustive list of organisations that you may contact to seek financial assistance:

ORGANISATION ASSISTANCE WEBSITE OFFERED

Ministry of Social • Support for https://www. and Family Singaporeans msf.gov.sg/ Development affected by assistance/ (MSF) COVID-19 pages/default. • Student Care aspx?topicID=11 Fee Assistance • ComCare

Lembaga LBKM Bursary & http://lbkm. Biasiswa Scholarship org.sg/bursary- Kenangan scholarship/ Maulid (LBKM) lbkm-bursaries/ primary-to-pre- university-jc/

13 Parents and Madrasah As Partners

The primary education years are Prepare your child mentally before an important part of your child’s you child transits to the new madrasah education. As a parent, madrasah environment. This can you play a key role in your child’s be done by sharing with your child growth together with the madrasah. about the madrasah and what to This requires a strong partnership of expect, creating excitement about mutual trust and respect between new experiences of making new the madrasahs and parents. Through friends and learning new things and this partnership, you can see how guiding them on how to approach you can complement the education for help in madrasah. provided by the madrasahs to nurture your child holistically. This Support your child in their madrasah can be done through the provision learning journey by regularly of the necessary guidance, support communicating about their and reinforcement at home. You experiences, setting realistic goals are also encouraged to regularly for them to aim for and encouraging track the developments of your them if they are struggling to cope child so that the necessary support with their schoolwork. Provide and intervention can be provided your child with the space to learn early throughout your child’s independently and be responsible educational journey. for their own things.

Registering Your Child for Primary 1 at Madrasah Primary 1 2022 Joint Madrasah Admission Exercise (JMAE) The Primary 1 Joint Madrasah Admission Exercise for Year 2022 is a joint effort between Muis and the 4 full- time madrasahs offering primary level education.

If your child was born on or between 2 January 2015 and 1 January 2016, you are invited to apply to any one of the four Madrasahs between 20 March to 2 April 2021.

For more information on the P1 2022 JMAE, please visit: https://www.muis.gov.sg/madrasah/Services/ Primary-1-Joint-Madrasah-Admission-Exercise

14 Preparation for Madrasah parents, as well as responses to the Entrance Test (MET) survey in the online application form. This process is required due to high Due to the limited spaces available volume of interest to enrol into the in the madrasahs, the Madrasah full-time madrasahs compared to the Entrance Test (MET) was introduced spaces available. as part of the admission procedure. The respective madrasah will run the Compulsory Education Act MET to assess the readiness of your child to undertake a dual curriculum Under the Compulsory Education load programme as offered in the Act, Singapore Citizens born after full-time madrasahs. 1 January 1996 and residing in Singapore are required to attend Your child will be tested in 4 national primary schools regularly. subjects: English, Malay, Arabic Full-time madrasah students and Mathematics. Oral tests will are exempted from compulsory also be conducted for English, education. Malay and Arabic. The written tests include what they may have As part of your child’s enrolment learned in kindergarten, such as the process into the full-time madrasahs, introduction of letters, numbers and you will be required to submit your writing. The oral test includes reading child’s application for this exemption and conversation. The Arabic oral to the Compulsory Education Unit test is conducted to assess your through your madrasah. child’s ability to read and memorise common du’as and Qur’anic surahs. Student’s Pass for Foreigners The MET is a crucial phase of the JMAE, and no alternative dates will For foreigners enrolling their children be provided for your child if he/she into the madrasahs, you will need to is unable to sit for it. This includes obtain the approval of your child’s genuine reasons for missing the student pass from the Immigration test, such as being sick on that day & Checkpoints Authority (ICA). For proven with a valid Medical more information on the application Certificate or being late due to procedure, please check with the circumstances beyond your control. admin office of the madrasah you For those who have missed the MET, applied to. they will no longer be eligible to appeal for a place during the appeal window period.

Do note that your child’s scores from the MET will only be one of several means used by the madrasahs in selecting students for enrolment. Other means include interviews with