11/06/2026
Quality, Opportunity and Protection: The Foundation of Every Educational Investment
Statement by the President of the Children's Protection Society Malaysia
Kuala Lumpur, 10 June 2026 –
The Government's decision to allocate RM200 million towards pondok, tahfiz and religious schools warrants careful consideration from the perspectives of child welfare, educational quality, accountability, and long-term national development.
As an organisation dedicated to the protection and well-being of children, the Children's Protection Society Malaysia recognises the important role that religious education plays in nurturing values, character development, and spiritual growth. Religious institutions have long contributed to Malaysian society and remain an important component of the nation's educational landscape.
However, whenever substantial public funds are allocated to any educational institution, the primary consideration must be the best interests of the child. Public investment in education should ensure that every child, regardless of where they study, has access to quality learning opportunities, safe learning environments, qualified educators, effective safeguarding measures, and pathways that enable them to realise their full potential.
If public funds are to be channelled into pondok and tahfiz institutions, such investments should be accompanied by clear standards relating to educational quality, governance, child protection, and accountability. Institutions receiving taxpayer funding should be subject to transparent reporting mechanisms, regular inspections, independent oversight, and measurable educational outcomes comparable to those expected of other publicly funded educational institutions.
Particular attention must be given to educational quality, curriculum standards, and measurable learning outcomes. While religious education plays an important role in character and values formation, children should also have access to the foundational competencies expected within a modern education system, including literacy, numeracy, science, technology, communication, digital literacy, and critical thinking. These skills are fundamental to ensuring that young people can transition successfully into further education, skills training, employment, and lifelong learning.
Public funding should therefore support a holistic educational experience that balances religious knowledge with the broader skills required for lifelong learning, employment, entrepreneurship, and active citizenship. Every child should have the opportunity to make informed choices about their future without facing unnecessary barriers to further education, technical and vocational pathways, professional training, or participation in the workforce.
Equally important is the need for robust child safeguarding measures. Any institution entrusted with the care and education of children should maintain comprehensive child protection policies, appropriate reporting procedures, staff screening requirements, welfare monitoring systems, and accessible channels through which concerns can be raised and addressed. The protection, dignity, and well-being of every child must remain paramount.
The Government has stated that this allocation aims to modernise and strengthen pondok education. As public resources are being invested, there should be a clear expectation that such investments translate into tangible benefits for children.
This includes stronger learning outcomes, recognised educational pathways, enhanced employability skills, and greater opportunities for students to participate fully in Malaysia's social and economic development. The true measure of success must be the extent to which every child is empowered to fulfil his or her potential and navigate an increasingly complex and competitive future.
Ultimately, the question is not whether religious education is important. It undoubtedly is. The more important question is whether every child receiving the benefit of public funding is being provided with an education that is safe, accountable, relevant, and capable of preparing them for the opportunities and challenges of the future.
The true measure of any educational investment is not the institutions it supports, but the outcomes it delivers for children. As a nation, we must ensure that every child, regardless of educational pathway, is equipped with the knowledge, skills, protection, and opportunities needed to thrive, participate fully in society, and contribute meaningfully to Malaysia's future.
DATO’ SERI NAZIR ARIFF MUSHIR ARIFF
President
Children's Protection Society Malaysia
