Conceptual Framework for Accelerated Education Program for Tahfiz Students in Malaysia

Abstract

Tahfiz education in Malaysia has evolved into one of the most sought-after alternative educational pathways for those who wish to pursue Quranic-based and religious studies. However, the issue of recognition and certification among private Tahfiz schools – PTS continues to be discussed among scholars and policymakers at the state and national levels. Studies by various scholars stated that certificates issued by PTS are internal and not recognized by the authorities. Many private Tahfiz school students are not equipped with a formal academic certification, which hinders them from pursuing tertiary education. An intervention program offered by many academic institutions, including higher educational institutions, could be an ideal solution to cater to these challenges. Therefore, this concept paper aims to understand the challenges of PTS students, identify the current intervention models for PTS students, and align the FTSPM program with the Accelerated Education (AE) concept. In this study, PTS students refer to those disconnected from mainstream education for an extended period or non-traditional students. The study uses qualitative research by analyzing literature from primary sources such as official records, documents, and archival records. In addition, secondary sources such as scientific articles, books, and newspapers were also referred to. The study proposes a conceptual model for FTSPM, particularly on the student component of AE, that could pave the way for insightful theoretical and practical contributions.