ALOR STAR: The federal government has allocated RM400,000 to the Maktab Mahmud religious school to carry out Islamic education programmes for its students.
Education Minister Fadhlina Sidek said Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, through the Prime Minister’s Department, contributed RM300,000, while the remainder came from her ministry.
She said the money would go towards ensuring Maktab Mahmud maintained the excellence its students displayed in the recent Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia (SPM) examination results.
Fadhlina said some of the top-performing schools in the country are from Kedah.
“I take note that students from Maktab Mahmud have consistently contributed to the state’s strong average grade, so it is hoped that our children will continue their academic excellence,” she said here today.
She was speaking at the launch of the Rumah Maahad Alumni Maktab Mahmud. Kedah education exco, Datuk Mohd Azam Abd Samat, was also present.
Fadhlina said Anwar was familiar with Maktab Mahmud, having visited it 40 years ago.
“The prime minister is very sentimental about Maktab Mahmud. When I informed him of the request from this school, he personally wanted to attend.
“But as he was unable to do so, I came to deliver the message on his behalf,” she said, adding that she hoped the school would continue producing more ulama.
She said the government has never sidelined Islamic education and has always prioritised it.
Fadhlina said the contribution to Maktab Mahmud was proof of the government’s commitment to education and the development of Islam.
© New Straits Times Press (M) Bhd
