KUALA NERANG, June 9 —The government is strengthening pondok institutions nationwide through strategic collaboration between religious agencies and pondok managements to develop a more dynamic and progressive educational framework.

Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Religious Affairs) Datuk Zulkifli Hasan said the current focus is on strengthening the pondok education ecosystem in the country.

He said the effort is being carried out through close cooperation between the Department of Islamic Development Malaysia (JAKIM), the Malaysian Islamic Dakwah Foundation (YADIM) and pondok institutions nationwide, including those in Kedah.

“We are listening to the views of pondok institutions and identifying their needs. At the same time, we are working together to develop the pondok framework that we envision for the future,” he said when met at the launch of Kedah Madani Daie Coordination Centre and Darull Hikmah 2026 Daurah Kitab Turath programme here yesterday. 

According to him, Jakim, Yadim and pondok institutions were in the midst of working towards developing the framework so that such institution could move in tandem with the national education mainstream without neglecting the identity and traditions of turath studies.

Zulkifli said the government acknowledged the significant potential of pondok institutions to continue growing and playing an important role in producing knowledgeable and morally upright generations.

He said the government had also increased the allocation for maintenance and upgrading works for pondok schools, religious schools and tahfiz institutions from RM150 million last year to RM200 million this year.

“Last year, we successfully carried out maintenance and upgrading works involving about 1,600 pondok institutions, tahfiz centres and religious schools throughout the country. This year’s allocation is underway and several states have already received assistance for repair works and facility improvements,” he said.

He said the initiative was among the government’s commitments, as announced by the Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, to ensure that the welfare and development of Islamic educational institutions continue to receive attention. 

Commenting on the Darull Hikmah, he said the institution had successfully offered quality educational programmes, particularly in Arabic language proficiency and advancement of Islamic knowledge since its establishment in 2019. — Bernama