SHAH ALAM: Over 500 privately-owned tahfiz schools in Selangor have signed up for the state's regularisation programme aimed at ensuring compliance with rules and regulations.
Selangor Islamic Affairs Committee Chairman Mohammad Fahmi Ngah said that to date, 570 tahfiz schools have registered for the programme, but he acknowledged that some tahfiz schools may still be operating illegally.
"If any issues arise, the state government cannot be held accountable, as we are unaware of the existence of these unregistered tahfiz schools," he said when contacted.
"One of the reasons schools are reluctant to join this regularisation programme is that they fear the government will shut them down, whereas we want to assist them in operating with proper safety features and legitimacy," he said.
He said that by participating in the regularisation programme and complying with fire safety requirements, a tahfiz school could obtain planning permission and a valid operating licence.
"The state government will not only provide operating licences but will also assist with consultancy fees and supply textbooks for students and temporary teachers to support their education," Fahmi said when contacted.
However, he said that the government will adopt specific measures for schools unable to comply with the stipulated requirements for various reasons, including unsuitable locations.
"If a location is deemed unsuitable, we will transfer students to safer tahfiz schools rather than simply closing them down," he said.
Fahmi said tahfiz school operators should understand that the state administration's intention with the regularisation programme is to ensure proper oversight and the safety of teachers and students.
"We will also oversee the curriculum to prevent the spread of deviant teachings or practices that do not align with true Islam," he said.
Fahmi said that in Selangor, there are both private tahfiz schools and those administered by the Selangor Islamic Religious Department (Jais).
The safety of buildings for tahfiz schools under Jais is managed by a safety committee at the school level. This committee is required to conduct annual safety briefings.
"For private tahfiz schools, the regularisation programme aims to secure licences, and these institutions must adhere to safety standards set by local authorities.
"Safety oversight is the responsibility of the school's management committee, but it falls under the jurisdiction of the Islamic Religious School Control Enactment," he said.