Jakim to revamp Kafa teachers' working hours, allowance

Al-Quran and Fardu Ain (Kafa) teachers may have to work longer hours but also receive higher allowances soon.

The Islamic Development Department (Jakim) is conducting a study on increasing their working hours from three to five days a week, and from three to nine hours a day.

Deputy Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Religious Affairs) Zulkifli Hasan said Jakim has completed engagement sessions with stakeholder agencies at the federal and state levels.

“The Kafa Perdana Pilot Programme will be implemented after receiving approval from the Finance Ministry,” he said during committee-level debates on the Supply Bill 2025 in the Dewan Rakyat yesterday.

Kafa classes involve Islamic studies for young children using a syllabus set by Jakim.

Zulkifli (above) said that at the moment, the programme’s implementation is being proposed to be done in phases depending on the approval of relevant parties.

In light of the minimum wage increase that will take effect next year, the deputy minister said Jakim also proposed an appropriate allowance rate for Kafa teachers, depending on the country’s financial situation.

Meanwhile, on the proposed amendment to the Syariah Courts (Criminal Jurisdiction) Act 1965 (Act 355), Zulkifli said the “Special Committee to Study Issues Related to the Competence of the State Legislature to Enact Islamic Law” will examine the proposed amendment and a report which will be taken into account when drafting the amendment to the act.

He said the proposed amendment will be presented to the National Council for Islamic Religious Affairs (MKI) and the Council of Rulers for approval before being tabled in the cabinet.

- Bernama

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