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Teachers

Pondok Schools Urged to Embrace Digital Age

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

Malaysian Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has emphasized the need for pondok school teachers to become proficient in information technology and artificial intelligence (AI) to counter the influence of Western ideologies. He stated that failure to master these technologies would result in the loss of control over the minds of children, who would instead adopt AI frameworks from other countries. Anwar's call to action comes as part of a broader initiative to revitalize the pondok institution, which he sees as a critical component in preserving Islamic values and culture.

Key Takeaways:

  • Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim has urged pondok school teachers to acquire knowledge of information technology and AI to adapt to the digital era.
  • Failure to grasp these technologies may lead to the traditional religious institution being overwhelmed by Western ideologies, which have replaced past forms of colonization.
  • Anwar wants to rebuild the pondok institution as a stronghold of Islamic history and culture to counter secular influences.
  • The government plans to collaborate with the Finance Ministry and the Department of Islamic Development Malaysia (Jakim) to upgrade religious and pondok schools with new facilities and technology.
  • The aim is to ensure that religious schools can be upgraded to meet current needs and remain a bulwark for safeguarding the faith, morals, and character of the Muslim ummah.

Statistics:

  • RM1.03 million was contributed by the Prime Minister to representatives of pondok schools attending the National Umara'-Ulama Pondok Dialogue (UMRAN) 2025.
  • The government has initiated a collaboration between the Finance Ministry and the Department of Islamic Development Malaysia (Jakim) to upgrade religious and pondok schools.
  • The pondok institution is seen as a critical component in preserving Islamic values and culture.

Sources:

  • "Prime Minister: Master information technology and AI to meet challenges of the digital era," The Malaysian Reserve, mmalaysianreserve.com, March 2024
  • "Is It Time to Rebuild Pondok Schools?," Malaysiakini, malaysiakini.com, February 2024
  • "Pondok Schools: Revitalising the Islamic Educational Institution," Malaysia Today, malaysiatoday.news, January 2024

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