Muslim SAP school in Singapore

score
40 popularity votes

Fariz
View ProfileFariz

brainy
0
votes
23/11/2007 9:02:48 PM

Possible, if the government and the interested muslim bod(ies) can come to terms and agreement. Problem will still arise of course, like below...

1) What are the national contribution and academic opportunity that can the SAP Muslim school contribute to Singapore as a nation, especially from the students in the long term run ? International prospects? Islamic prospects in the students furthering their education to local higher institution or university or Islamic foundations?

2) Social issue in the enrollment of Muslim SAP schools e.g. Tudung issue (again... hmm :) ). Can the mixture of muslim individual obligations affect the standing and, if possible, mixture with non-muslim students in the SAP school ?

3) How about course curiculum and organizational staff/appointments, of, or for the Muslim SAP school ? Will it conform with the educational standards; acceptable in both Islamic and national standards ?

Well, these are just the few. If only, there is a stronger muslim body or innovative muslim organization in Singapore implement as such, and it would be a huge step to start one. But the problem is...Muslims in Singapore are too conservative <sigh>...simply a difficult start, and plus the islamophebia around and the minority issue, our social 'backward' reputation in society insight..and on and on...

But who knows, the newer generation may prove a greater promise for a Islamic SAP school? I'll pray for such a time though...it will be a good step to a positive outlook to the Islamic side in our community in Singapore <sigh>

score
0 popularity votes

constant_searching
View Profileconstant_searching

rookie
0
votes
27/11/2007 12:07:24 AM

Assalamualaikum,

Excuse me for my ignorance, but what's SAP??

score
40 popularity votes

Fariz
View ProfileFariz

brainy
0
votes
27/11/2007 12:37:50 AM

If you're not Singaporean or just not sure, the SAP stands for Special Assistance Plan for schools. A link is given below for reference.

http://www.moe.gov.sg/parliame...

The purpose is to retain older schools in Singapore to maintain the mutil-cultural standards of other ethnic or groups in Singapore. Like Chinese schools, Christian school etc..

Strangely, as Mehboob as put in the post, there is NO (or not yet) Islamic schools or malay schools retained under SAP by local government, <sigh>. There is virtually no malay or indian school/higher institution around anymore except by name e.g. ahmad ibrahim school etc..but those are normal government funded school and standard curriculum as other local schools :( . There are (thank God) still Islamic schools, but there are not under SAP..Obviously...

Reason hmm?...well Islam have standards are their own. Probably that's why 'people' around make a 'talk' or 'deal' out of it (e.g. tudung issue blah blah blah). Islam is a way of life, to put it, in aspect of community and social. The fact we muslims, since 1ate 20th century, have close ourselves to be a conservative society, and that takes a toll on our side too if you've realized. Times changing brother, and we're still behind social and cultural achievements. Islam can never change as it's proven through Quran's existence, but the people's minds into to strive for national or social achievement (below par). <sigh>

score
40 popularity votes

Fariz
View ProfileFariz

brainy
0
votes
30/11/2007 3:14:16 PM

There is always pastoral talks during for example mondays or wednesdays in thee schools, where pastors deliver some inspirational talk that relates to religion. It's conducted in masses in hall during schooldays and children of other faiths will be tolerated to hear probably about an 1/2 hour during this time. Overall, the school stil runs in focus and vision in academic acheivement and meeting national standards.

Christian da'wa is there, but linked seperately from the academic curriculum and school hours. So integration of students of other faiths and staffs does not affect the standing of the school in terms of academic performance. Probably why their schools are accepted under SAP easily. Generally, they are still academic inclined schools under school hours, which is fair enough.

Well, as I explain above,far as muslims in singapore are concerned, all the religious schools are run in islamic environment and approved islamic curriculum. Even with the installation of national academic subjects, the schools' emphasis still leaning towards more islamic. That why I put in my previous post, that I hope there is a strong islamic body that would innovate the academically inclined Islamic school that could promote interreligious or intercultural school environment where academic is the emphasis, and at the same time, religious obligations is safely practised among everyone without causing unnecessary tensions or negative reaction in the school environent. Thats a challenge :) But note that I do not support secularism in Islam, which is very harmful and unhealthy in the faith.

SO it's hard at least for now. You must understand, the Singapore govt do not want to be accused of biasing the muslim religion da'wa over other religions in schools.Then, of course, we are allowed to have such schools run privately, its a freedom of belief and practise anyway.