Last year the government introduced the teaching of science and mathematics in English in an attempt to improve the language proficiency of our students. I suggest going further and teach Islamic Studies in English. Additionally, we should modernise Islamic education and make Islamic schools more as educational institutions and less as seminaries.

It is widely acknowledged that as a group, Malay students have the weakest command of English. Since these students have to take Islamic Studies throughout their school years, what better way to improve their English than to teach Islamic Studies in that language? Additionally I would switch Islamic schools into English medium, with all subjects taught in that language, except of course for Malay.

These schools must also teach more secular subjects in order to better prepare young Malays for the modern world. If Islamic schools in America can use English as their medium of instruction and teach modern subjects, so could Malaysian schools.

This is already being successfully done at the International Islamic University. Thus what I am suggesting is nothing radical, merely expanding that proven strategy to schools and other institutions.