PM Lee : Singapore exploring new pedagogy as model for Islamic college

By Massita Ahmad

SINGAPORE,  Aug 18  (Bernama) –  Singapore is exploring new approach and pedagogy in Islamic teaching and learning towards building a model for its own Islamic college, said Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong.

In his Malay language address in conjunction with the republic’s National Day Rally, which was telecast live at ITE College Central here today, he said the Singapore Islamic Religious Council (MUIS), which played a key role in the republic’s Malay Muslim community, would launch the Post-graduate Certificate in Islam in Contemporary Societies (PCICS) next year.

“This course is for students who graduated in Islamic studies abroad when they return here. This is to train them to apply what they have learned (abroad) in the Singapore context.

“We also hope to explore a new approach and pedagogy in Islamic teaching and learning. This will help to create a model for our own Islamic college which will train the new generation of Asatizah (Islamic religious teachers) in Singapore,” said Lee.

The Prime Minister said Singapore wants to develop Asatizah of high quality and great level of confidence in the future.

Towards this end, he said, a committee to study ways of enhancing the professionalism of Asatizah has been formed and is chaired by Senior Minister of State for Defence and Foreign Affairs Dr Mohamad Maliki Osman.

“It is an extension of the Asatizah Recognition Scheme (ARS). I look forward to their suggestions,” he added.

It was reported in February that the number of Islamic religious teachers accredited under a national scheme in Singapore has risen to more than 4,000, up from 3,000 in 2017.

The ARS, which became compulsory from 2017, requires religious teachers to abide by an ethical code which includes not encouraging extremism or violence, or not denigrating other racial and religious groups.

-- BERNAMA