PADANG TERAP: Private Islamic religious schools which yet to register with the Education Ministry should seriously consider in doing so.
Its minister Datuk Seri Mahdzir Khalid in reiterating the call today, said only by doing so, the government would be able to provide a better financial assistance to them.
He said this includes, improving the safety aspect of their school building, hostel and the students.
"We do not know ... (on whether the school was getting any financial aid) because it is not registered (with the ministry)...how many students they have and what is the curriculum that they are taught there ... more often than not, they only surfaced whenever they need help.
"By right they should register with the ministry because all Islamic religious schools which registered with ministry are getting aid from the government," he told reporters after handing over aid to Siamese community in Kampung Cheng Deng, Naka today.
Mahdzir was responding to the Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi which called for maahad tahfiz or religious schools to improve their safety features and procedures.
He said such move would also restore the good image of the Islamic education institution among the public.
Zahid said that following the tragic accident that claimed the lives of seven tahfiz students on Friday when their van skidded into a ditch and rammed into a house in Kampung Telekong, Kuala Krai-Kota Baru.
The victims were from Maahad Tahfiz Al-Hashimi at Kampung Telekong near Kuala Krai-Kota Bharu.
It was also reported that seven others were injured in the incident and being treated at the Kuala Krai Hospital.