The evolution of Islamic education in Malaysia: Historical roots and proposed coordination governance for private Tahfiz schools established by faith based Non-Governmental Organization (NGO) in Selangor

Abstract

Prior to mainstream education, Islamic Religious occupied a significant position within the Malay Community before Malaysia’s Independence Day until today.  The historical development of Islamic teaching of Quranic knowledge rooted in early religious traditions of pondok (hut), surau, mosque and palace and to the community at large.  Gradually, Islamic religious institutions evolved from personal, community into institutional entities.  To date, the inception of private Tahfiz schools by various parties emerged to cater the demand by the public including those established by faith-based non-governmental organizations (NGOs) under the state government.  From the traditional community-based teaching approach into state regulated education providers, this article examined the institutional development of private Tahfiz schools established by faith based non-governmental organization by tracking the historical foundations and analyzing the current contemporary governance structure with adoption of qualitative study.  The findings are explored based on in-depth interviews as main data triangulated with identified document analysis as secondary data.  For in-depth interview, the intensive data substantial generated from four (4) key persons from authorized agencies and two (2) identified key persons from faith based non- governmental organization act as mediator between authorized agencies and registered private Tahfiz schools in Selangor.  The study identified coordination governance as a mechanism to counter siloed governance that is currently practiced.  Despite viewing coordination governance to counter siloed governance, this study is intended to place this institution within the broader civilizational and Islamic education evolution in Malaysia.  The implications are critical for relevant authorized agencies and policymakers to mitigate the governance challenges and simultaneously to contribute to civilizational in shaping contemporary Islamic study.