Continuing Education after Madrasah (Academic)

What's next after madrasah?

Done with STE (Sijil Tsanawi 4 - Secondary 4) and perhaps have obtained GCE 'O' Level qualifications at the same time as well? Many would still consider continuing ukhrawi education up to pre-university level at respective madrasahs such as Madrasah Alsagoff Al-Arabiah, Madrasah Al-Maarif, Madrasah Wak Tanjong and Madrasah Aljunied Al_Islamiah, despite having 'acceptable' GCE 'O' level results that qualify them for example, a polytechnic or junior college education.


*Ok. So you have 2 major examinations. STE and GCE 'O' levels in the same year (e.g Madrasah Alsagoff and Madrasah Aljunied) Which one to focus upon? I would say both! Just do your utmost best for both. Why?

You wouldn't know where you would excelled or lousy at, would you?

1. Some barely passed both.
2. Some excelled both.
3. Some excelled at one and failed at the other.
4. Some with average passes on both.

• For No.1, if you can't even passed your ukhrawi examinations, why bother to even appeal to go to pre-u ukhrawi? So, if you have earlier put in a little bit extra efforts to work on your 'O' levels, even with below than average results you may be getting, you are still able to pursue an ITE education to learn skills and get certified. Your life-long learning journey starts from there on. Insya Allah. Once there, be a 'super-achiever' student and not just an average student. Did you know that you may one day qualify for a polytechnic education if your ITE examination results (GPA) meet the minimum entry requirements (example)? Now polytechnics accept even ITE students. Thanks to the government on making this possible. So please. Do not despair. It's not the end of the road yet. Do not seek jobs at this time as yet! Trust me. Upgrade now. For the future YOU. Your future family. The list goes on..
• For No 2, I have not much comments on this. If you fall in this category, please continue excelling in the path you are choosing, either Ukhrawi or Academic. It would be even more fruitful if you are able to use your talents/passion in the chosen path once you are in the workforce when you have graduated. All the very best! *We know of students who continued with their pre-u education at their madrasahs, took their A levels as well, and finally chose to pursue their passion in their further continued education. Yayy!!
• For No 3, I would recommend pursuing education in the area you excel at as soon as possible. If you excelled academically, my apology, but I don't see the need for you to continue to pre-u level. (please read the written scenarios I have shared below). Perhaps you may feel that you may be distant yourself from ukhrawi studies. Fret not. There are many ustadzs and ustadzahs that hold daily/ weekly religious kuliahs at the mosques. Choose those that you like and be consistent in following their kuliahs. Besides, you may also consider giving part-time tuition to madrasah students while pursuing your academic education. To this, your arabic knowledge skills would be put to good use. Arabic tuition. A highly demand and most requested by madrasahs' parents of newly enrolled students.
• For No. 4, please refer to my suggestions for No 1 and 2. Also, decide on where your passion is. Or perhaps you just wanna be based locally. Perhaps you prefer a han-on and project-based approach kinda education? Or to get some recognized qualifications and go into workforce as soon as you graduate. Then just go academic.

I know of madrasah students who have interest to pursue their studies at academic institutions, but would defer the intention to finish their pre-U studies. As for male students, do take note that you are liable for National Service (2 years) after your pre-university education.

Example:

Scenario 1:
Omar started polytechnic education right after his O levels. He would then completed his poly + national service by about the 6th year. Afterwhich, its either he started working for a couple of years (at least he is tapping on his diploma qualification). And perhaps get married within these period.

OR

Omar has gained admission to a university. He continues his learning journey after his National Service. Starts working after his graduation or perhaps continue studying at a higher level. Along the way, he gets married. Insya Allah, a better income for his new family, provided without too much unnecessary liabilities such as usage of credit cards, hire-purchases etc. It would be awesome to be cash-rich with savings instead of assets-rich but holding onto too much liabilities just because your paycheck$ are of big amounts. Get it, guys?



3yrs (POLY) + 2 yrs (NS) =


Scenario 2:
Adam has inclined towards IT (Information Technology) and would love to pursue his interest at a polytechnic. He attained outstanding STE and GCE 'O' results and decided to just continue his pre-u education at a madrasah and defer his polytechnic education.

And so he continues with another 2 years in the madrasah + 2 years in serving National Service. He would then completed these within a span of 5 years.

Afterwhich, he got engaged to his wife-to-be after his National Service. So, into the workforce he goes to start saving for his wedding necessities. The 'hantaran value', the wedding reception expenditure etc...

No doubt, he has his O levels, his STE results, his ukhrawi pre-u results and perhaps A levels (or non at all). It would be pity to not being able to continue his initial intention which would perhaps provide him with a better income for his new family.

Even if he doesn't get married at this period and continues with his studies at a polytechnic, he is still a little far behind of about 2 years than those who studied at a polytechnic after their O levels, in which this batch has gotten their diplomas by then and already started working or have already applied for further studies at a university. See the picture here..?


2 (PRE-U) + 2 (NS) + 3 (POLY) =


The above are just my opinions and suggestions. You still have to do 'Istiharah' prayers in making/finalizing your overall decisions. Allah is still the best of planners. :)

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POLYTECHNIC DIPLOMA COURSES

There are various full-time or part-time Diploma courses offered that range from Business Administration, Life Sciences, Information Technology, Engineering..

Depending on individual polytechnics and courses, entry requirements range from G.C.E. 'O' Level, Nitec and Higher Nitec, SPM / UEC qualifications. Information on entry criteria for international students has to be enquired via the chosen polytechnics.


Click any of the links below for more information on the courses offered.

FULL-TIME COURSES IN NGEE ANN POLYTECHNIC

FULL-TIME & PART-TIME DIPLOMA COURSES |  DIPLOMA PLUS | SHORT COURSES IN SINGAPORE POLYTECHNIC

FULL-TIME DIPLOMA COURSES IN NANYANG POLYTECNIC

PART-TIME CERTIFICATE/ DIPLOMA/ SPECIALIST DIPLOMA COURSES IN NANYANG POLYTECHNIC

FULL-TIME DIPLOMA COURSES IN TEMASEK POLYTECHNIC

PART-TIME DIPLOMA COURSES IN TEMASEK POLYTECHNIC
FULL-TIME COURSES IN REPUBLIC POLYTECHNIC

PART-TIME COURSES IN REPUBLIC POLYTECHNIC



LASELLE (COLLEGE OF THE ARTS)

 Into Arts? Then learn in a real arts school which is practice-led and industry focused.

DIPLOMA COURSES IN LASALLE (COLLEGE OF THE ARTS)

GENERAL PROGRAMMES IN LASALLE (COLLEGE OF THE ARTS)




ITE COURSES (Institute of Technical Education)

As a post-secondary institution, ITE admints school leavers who have completed secondary education into its full-time ITE Education and Traineeship courses. The entry requirements differ for the various courses and admission is based on merit and choice. GCE 'O' and GCE 'N' level school leavers who are interested in joining ITE can choose to take up a course either under full-time or traineeship modes of training. There are 98 full-time courses (Higher Nitec and Nitec) and over 30 traineeship courses available to secondary school leavers. Training with ITE will not only equip students for a successful and rewarding career, but also pave the way to higher level training at the polytechnics and beyond.

FULL-TIME 2 or 3 YEAR NITEC | HIGHER NITEC | TECHNICAL DIPLOMA COURSES
PART-TIME COURSES




MOE | NIE | NAFA 
Teaching in academic schools has been your childhood dream? Then, get trained and be a qualified one!

GCE O LEVEL HOLDERS
GCE A LEVEL/ DIPLOMA/ IB DIPLOMA HOLDERS




PRE-SCHOOL TEACHING
Or you just simply love working with those cute lil ones? (pre-schoolers)

Diploma in Early Childhood Studies (Temasek Polytechnic)
Diploma in Early Childhood Education (Ngee Ann Polytechnic)
Diploma in Child Psychology and Early Education (Ngee Ann Polytechnic)

Up to 400 Primary 1 Places Available Each Year in Singapore’s Madrasahs

 

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Up to 400 Primary 1 places are available each year in full-time madrasahs in Singapore, said Minister-in-charge of Muslim Affairs Dr Yaacob Ibrahim on Tuesday (Jan 20).

He was responding to a Parliamentary question by MP for Aljunied GRC Muhamad Faisal on the enrolment figures for madrasahs and the measures that MUIS has put in place to encourage enrolment.

 Dr Yaacob said that from 2012 to 2014, Madrasah Alsagoff Al-Arabiah enrolled 30 P1 students each year, Madrasah Al-Maarif Al-Islamiah enrolled 67 students and Madrasah Al-Irsyad Al-Islamiah - which is under the Joint Madrasah System (JMS) - took in about 204 students each year.

Madrasah Wak Tanjong Al-Islamiah did not enrol any P1 students between 2012 and 2014 as it failed to meet the annual PSLE benchmark in order to continue to admit P1 students. However, it has since met the benchmark and started admitting P1 students again in 2015.
     
 Madrasah Aljunied Al-Islamiah and Al-Arabiah Al-Islamiah stopped taking in P1 students from 2009 when they became part of the (JMS), under which they took in only secondary school students.

Dr Yaacob said that students who enrol in madrasahs are required to take five additional Islamic subjects, and have to take admission tests to ensure that they will be able to cope with the demands of the curriculum.

Source : ChannelNewsAsia

Madrasah Application Exercise for Admission to Primary 1 in 2016

The Primary 1 Madrasah Application Exercise 2016 is a joint effort between Majlis Ugama Islam Singapura (MUIS), Madrasah Irsyad Zuhri Al-Islamiah, Madrasah Al-Maarif Al-Islamiah and Madrasah Wak Tanjong Al-Islamiah. Interested parents and legal guardians whose children are born on or between 2 January 2009 and 1 January 2010 are invited to apply to either one of the three madrasahs.

    •    Application can be made at one Madrasah only.
    •    Application form may be obtained during application at the Madrasah or downloaded  here.
    •    Please also download, complete and bring along this survey form.

DOCUMENTS REQUIRED 

To ensure that the application form is duly completed and accepted, please bring along the originals and photocopies of the following documents:

• Identity cards of both parents and guardians (if applicable). 
• Marriage certificate
• Child’s birth certificate; and Certificate of Citizenship (if applicable) 
• Kindergarten development progress booklet and its copy. 
• Child’s health booklet and copies of Illness & immunization records. 
• Other related documents and its copies (divorce papers, death certificate, adoption certificate, etc) if necessary. 
• For application made by guardian, please bring along: 
• an authorisation letter from the parents; or; 
• the Marriage Certificate of step parents (where applicable) 

GENERAL INFORMATION 

• A $20.00 administrative fee is charged for every application.
• The child applicant need not attend the application session.
• The qualifying test will be conducted at the chosen Madrasah. 

RESULTS 

• Applicants will be informed of the results of their application through post in the first week of May. 
• The appeal period will be from 11-23 May 2015. 
• The Madrasah’s decision is final. 
• Successful applicants are to register at the respective Madrasah according to the date and time specified in the reply card. 
• For unsuccessful candidates, please ensure that the child/ward is registered in a national school as required by the Compulsory Education Act (Cap 51). More information on the Compulsory Education may be found here. 

IMPORTANT DATES 

Application   Period	30 March – 04 April 2015   (Closed on 3 April)
Test Date	11 April 2015
Test Result	1st week of May 2015
Period of Appeal	11 – 23 May 2015

Source : MUIS

P1 Registration for year 2010 (Madrasah Alsagoff Al-Arabiah)

As with previous years, Madrasah Alsagoff Al-Arabiah is the only madrasah which is not involved in the MUIS' JOINT APPLICATION EXERCISE WITH THE OTHER 5 MADRASAHS. However, Madrasah Alsagoff does their yearly registration intake much earlier than MUIS.

Date of registration: 2nd February 2009
Time: 9am to 3.30pm
Vacancies available: 37 only
Date of selection test: 7th March 2009
Results of selection test: Few days after the test

**Note 1: This madrasah is using full Arabic language for the Ukhrawi subjects.

**Note 2: Their top scorer for P.S.L.E year 2008 achieved an aggregate of 235.

**Note 3: Their top scorer for GCE 'O' Level year 2008 achieved 6As with an aggregate of 11 points.

To those interested in applying for their child in this madrasah, kindly click on the images below to see more information in full-view.

Read this first!

Last updated: 21.1.09

Assalaamua'laikum.

I have a few kids schooling in different madrasahs. No doubt all the madrasahs have different rules and regulations. Wondering if anyone of you out there has any wonderful or even unpleasant memories or incidents in our local madrasahs where your kids or cousins are schooling to be shared among us here. Or maybe you had worked in a madrasah before. Or maybe you would like to comment on just about anything on our madrasahs.

The main reason for this blog is to provide an easy but controlled platform for just about anyone to express their views and concerns on our local madrasahs as well as MUIS' responsibility on improving the madrasahs' system.

Hence, I hereby declare that I am in no connection whatsoever with MUIS or any of the 6 full-time madrasahs in the creation of this blog. In other words, SingaporeMadrasahs.Blogspot.com is in no way associated or affiliated with MUIS or the six madrasahs.

Just bear in mind though to maintain proper etiquette while blogging here. That would mean no harsh words, no swearing, no condemning any parties whatsoever and if you are giving comments on an issue, do add your desired recommendations as well.

To write your comments click on comments and you may sign off your real name or a nickname or even anonymous if you prefer. Personal particulars are not required.

This blog will accommodate as many comments as possible. However, I will not hesitate to block comments I deem fit that may appear offensive to other readers.

So dear brothers and sisters, let us all make this blog an informative and fun place to visit for everyone!!

May Allah blesses and gives taufiq and hidayah to all of us!


Keep coming back here!


Nuur Maryam

My fav YouTube videos

This 5 minute video is the capturing of a baby's LIVE scan. It claimed to have played one of the surahs of the Holy Al-Quran (which is the first few verses of the surah Al-Baqarah)during the scanning. Notice the baby's before and after reaction upon hearing the verses being played. Amazing! Masya Allah! Allah is the Greatest! Allahu Akbar! Allahu Akbar!

Surah Ar-Raum (Verses 30)
Therefore, you shall devote yourself to the religion of strict monotheism. Such is the natural instinct placed into the people by GOD. Such creation of GOD will never change. This is the perfect religion, but most people do not know.

Malay translation (Surah AR-Raum : Ayat 30)
Maka hadapkanlah wajahmu dengan lurus kepada Agama (Allah);(tetaplah atas) fitrah Allah yang telah menciptakan manusia menurut fitrah itu. Tidah ada perubahan pada fitrah Allah. (Itulah) agama yang lurus; tetapi kebanyakkan manusia tidak mengetahui.

(Ayat 31)
Dengan kembali bertaubat kepadaNya dan bertakwalah kepadaNya serta dirikan shalat dan janganlah kamu termasuk orang-orang yang mempersekutukan Allah.

(Ayat 32)
Yaitu orang-orang yang memecah belah agama mereka dan mereka menjadi beberapa golongan. Tiap-tiap golongan merasa bangga dengan apa yang ada pada golongan mereka.



A dog's response to Azan's call.

MUIS' $1.5 million Training Expenditure for Madrasahs' Teachers

(Last updated: 21.1.2009)

MUIS has indeed done a brilliant job in re-training madrasahs' teachers so as to be on par with the national schools' standard. In other words, it is to improvise the teaching quality of the madrasahs' teachers especially in English, Mathematics and
Science.

Diploma courses offered from e.g NIE and Edith Cowan University as well as other short targeted courses will hopefully gain that much needed expertise for our madrasahs' teachers. I do hope, however, that these trainings do not just focus solely to teaching up to PSLE level but beyond that as well.

Also, despite the huge difference salary scales of teachers between the national schools and madrasahs, I do hope that teachers who had undergone trainings with MUIS will stay long in their respective madrasahs.

MUIS' $6-$8 Million Expenditure On Madrasahs' NEW curriculum

(First published: 2007)
(Last updated: 21.1.2009)

I believe many have their own reservations on this issue. I was personally surprised too with MUIS' intention to 'standardised' the LANGUAGE of the religious curriculum like Tauhid, Fiqh and Sirah to ENGLISH. There are madrasahs who have been more than comfortable using Arabic medium in their religious curriculum while some are using Malay medium curriculum(Irsyad's previous Ukharawi's curriculum).

It's good to have the English versions for parents who do not want to pressure their kids to too much Arabic especially with daily Akhlaq or Fiqeh studies where it is more convenient to absorb the contents in languages we are comfortable with. So the kids are left to focus the studying of Arabic Language in terms of 'nouns),'nahu & saraf' (Arabic grammar usage) and other terms relating to the learning of Arabic Language.
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WHY NOT JUST PUBLISH BOOKS FROM ANDALUS?

Wondering if MUIS had initially considered to just using our high quality locally published religious books like those from Andalus instead of relying on external sources IQRA' (Chicago-based). *Note the super-high costs involved.

I believe direct language translations of Andalus' books to English would be a breeze and definitely low in costs! Also, MUIS would just need to print these books only to madrasahs which agree on using them without compromising other madrasahs which prefer to continue using Arabic books.

To this, MUIS would just need to focus on improving the standard of English Language of our madrasahs in other forms. Example, like getting expert advices or services from English language specialists like those that I had mentioned in my post above.
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MUIS' LUGHAHTUL AL-A'RABIAH BOOKS

However, in my very personal opinion, the 'Lughahtul Al-Arabiah books printed by MUIS with the help of IQRA organisation are... not good enough. The colourful pictures are the only things that make up the non-systematic approach and that includes the 'not-much-effective-practices-workbook' as well. Even an ustadz with whom I learnt my Arabic Language even commented the non-qualitiness of the books.

I have 2 kids in different madrasahs who are using MUIS's Lughahtul Al-Arabiah books. And it seems that their teachers are supplementing super-extra worksheets,cds and exercises in their exercise books on top of using these books. Come to think of it.. Are the books really good and effective enough to be used despite the huge expenditure involved?

Has MUIS consulted ENOUGH Arabic Language experts for the usage of these books for our LOCAL students who are generally non-Arabic speakers themselves? In addition to this, there are even long reading texts in it. Does MUIS bear in mind that there are students,generally the P1s and P2s who may not be proficient yet in their Arabic reading?

My kids do not have any problems on this as they are able to read surahs and Quran as early as K2. But there may still be some of the P1s/P2s who may not be proficient yet in their Arabic reading.(**Tip: Mr Razak mentioned that since Irsyad is the best madrasah ~based on 2008 PSLE results within madrasahs~ in Singapore and hence will only take in the best students to join the Irsyad's family)
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And who says Arabic is not relevant in Singapore's context( as mentioned by a MUIS official years ago)? Wondering if MUIS has really2 discuss the matter on publishing English Ukhrawi books in-depth and whole-heartily with all parties involved? Still I wonder why there are refusals from some madrasahs to use the new books but continue using the Arabic versions. I believe they have their personal reasons e.g long-term benefits for their students using Arabic medium at an early age. ( Currently, only Madrasah Wak Tanjung, Madrasah Alsagoff and Madrasah Aljunied(the current P3 and above) are using Arabic medium language for their Ukhrawi subjects)

I understand MUIS's good intentions in improving the standard of English in madrasahs. Could be one of the strong reasons for implementing the English Ukhrawi books. Very good indeed, I must say.

However,I wish MUIS would not overlooked to improve and standardise all madrasahs' secular subjects particularly English in terms of grammar,vocabulary, comprehension (including graphic stimulus type for P5-P6), cloze passages (grammar and vocabulary cloze passages),oral (English and Malay) as well as composition writing(namely continuous writing and situational writing for P5-P6). These must be done on a regular basis to achieve mastery.

There have been good assessment books on the market now that should be included into the madrasahs curriculum which I believe would benefit our madrasah students. I meant.. to be used together on top of the madrasahs' textbooks. Just to rely solely on the textbooks and workbooks say MY PALS ARE HERE series is undoubtly insufficient.

I have spoken to a Mr Adnan from MUIS over the phone some years ago giving some suggestions for the remaking of madrasahs's curriculum including this local company's site click here on their expertise in composition writing and others... Wondering if any actions had been taken prior to that call I made....