The National Association of Religious Schools (Perkasa) today countered Education Minister Musa Mohamad's assertions that religious schools (SAR) have not been co-operative with the government.

He was responding to comments made by Musa during a special TV1 prime-time broadcast o­n Monday.

Proof of co-operation

Perkasa president Ismail Omar pointed out that the schools have regularly participated in training courses conducted by the ministry for teachers and pupils.

"We regret the statements by the minister which gave the impression that SAR have not co-operated with the ministry," he said in a statement.

"In truth, the schools have always co-operated in all (ministry) programmes...One important indication of our co-operation is the implementation of the Sijil Tinggi Agama Malaysia (to standardise religious examinations)."

During Monday's broadcast, Musa ( photo ) reportedly said the learning process in religious schools did not contradict that of the mainstream education system.

He repeated his earlier suggestion that religious schools either register with the ministry as private religious institutions or apply to become government-aided schools by accepting government-appointed administrators and curriculum.

'Maintain curriculum'

Responding, Ismail said this suggestion was "inappropriate" as it would affect the schools' unique link to the Malay Rulers via the state religious councils.

"If the registration of the SAR were to be transferred to the ministry, we would be concerned that the patronage of the Rulers would be eroded," he explained.

"Although we are open to discussion o­n changing the status of the SAR to become government-aided schools (and hence receive partial government assistance), the most important thing we would like to ensure is that the current curriculum of the schools is maintained."

At present, religious schools in the country need o­nly register with the state religious departments and not the education ministry.

Contribution to nation

Ismail also objected to the manner in which the minister had justified his statements against SAR by displaying the examination results of pupils in selected examinations during the broadcast.

"We were shocked over the selective use of examination results to cast a negative impression o­n the SAR...the pupils' achievements cannot be measured so selectively by considering achievements in o­nly certain subjects," he said.

"Aside from academic learning, SAR aims to educate students o­n how to be responsible citizens and Muslims."

Ismail said that, although there was no way to quantify some of the achievements of SAR students, the efficacy of the schools is evident by the fact that all the mufti , kadi , and imam in the country are products of religious schools.

"They (the religious men) too have contributed in no small way to the development of this country," he noted.

'Consider all views'

On the special committee set up by the government to look into Islamic education issues, Ismail said its should consider the views of all parties involved in the SAR controversy.

"Perkasa is ready to co-operate fully with this committee, if required," he said.

Privately-run SAR ran into controversy when the government stopped its annual per capita grant ranging from RM60 to RM150 per student to the schools, thereby threatening their survival.

The government adopted this hardline approach following Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad's claim that the students were taught to hate the government - a charge refuted by the schools.

There was strong resistance from the Malay community to the move, forcing the government to reconsider its aim to shut down the religious schooling system.

There are more than 260 SARs in the country involving 74,000 students in both primary and secondary levels. Since the government's intervention, 15,000 students have transferred to study at national schools.