LAHAD DATU: A Sekolah Menengah Kebangsaan Agama (SMKA) based on the Tahfiz Model Ulul Albab concept will soon be established in the district, with a site already identified along Jalan Silam.
Deputy Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation Datuk Dr Mohd Yusof Apdal said the proposed school had received approval in principle from the Education Ministry and was now awaiting the implementation process and full allocation.
“I have been informed by the Ministry of Education about the construction of SMKA in Lahad Datu, and the site has already been identified. If there are no issues or changes, the school will be built along Jalan Silam.
“The ministry had given its approval in principle, while the authorities are now awaiting the implementation process and full allocation for the project,” he said.
Yusof, who is also Lahad Datu Member of Parliament, said this when met after officiating the new building of Madrasah Al-Fallah in Kampung Wawasan here last Friday night.
He said the establishment of the SMKA would provide greater opportunities for students to pursue religious education alongside mainstream academic subjects.
“This will further help our efforts to produce a professional ‘Huffaz’ generation, comprising children who not only excel in Quran memorisation but also demonstrate outstanding abilities in other fields, including mathematics, science and technology,” he said.
Meanwhile, Yusof commended the local community’s efforts to establish Madrasah Al-Fallah through contributions from villagers and individuals.
He described the initiative as a meaningful effort to provide religious education, build character and support the education of children in the local community.
“The effort to establish a community religious school is something we should encourage,” he said.
He added that the madrasah could potentially benefit more students while complementing wider efforts to expand access to religious education in the district.
Earlier, Madrasah Al-Fallah chairman Saidin Saparuddin said the building currently accommodates more than 60 students.
He said the building was constructed through a community effort to keep costs down while providing a conducive environment for children to learn the Quran and Fardu Ain.