Miri’s oldest Islamic religious school still going strong
MIRI: Islamic religious schools are not new to the landscape of education options in Miri but more parents are showing interest in sending their children to attend such schools.
For Sekolah Agama Rakyat Miri (SARM), student enrolment over the past three years has increased steadily: from 176 students in 2015 to 190 students in 2016 and now 210 students in 2017.
As the oldest Islamic religious school in Miri, SARM — also known as Madrasah As- Shibyan — has come a long way since it officially opened on March 4, 1979 with 200 students.
According to its headmistress Fauziah Mokhtar Khan, currently, the students attend various primary schools around Miri such as SK Agama (MIS) Miri, SK Jalan Bintang, SK Syed Othman, SK Pujut Corner, SK Anchi, SK Kampung Beraya, SK South and SK Kampung Bakam.
“Students here go to their normal school in the morning and then they will attend SARM from 2pm- 5pm to study Islamic subjects in an Islamic environment. Some of the subjects taught are Al-Quran/Iqra’, Tawheed, Sirah, Fekah, Akhlak, Arabic language and Jawi.
“Apart from these subjects, we also conduct co- curriculum activities such as Nasyeed club, Kompang club, Qosidah club and choral speaking,” she told The Borneo Post yesterday, adding that SARM aims to producestudents well versed in religious beliefs, morals and knowledge in the difference between right and wrong.
Located at Miri Mosque, the oldest mosque in Miri, SARM teachers also receive training under the Education Ministry and the state Islamic Department (JAIS).
Fauziah said SARM has received financial assistance from the Islamic Education section of the Sarawak Education Department (JPNS), Sarawak Islamic Council, as well as external organisations and individuals. The parents and teachers’ committee (JKIBG) of SARM is also a strong supporter of the school’s activities and development.
“We current ly have seven teachers, an administration officer, and there are seven classes at this school,” Fauziah said, adding that she feels glad to see her exstudents sending their children to the school.
SARM’s roots can be traced back to 1978 when Miri Education Department surrendered the Sekolah Melayu Anchi Miri building to the Malay community following the school’s move to Piasau Jaya.
Temenggong Datuk Muip accepted the submission and established a Madrasah As-Shibyan building management committee to manage SARM and to look for finance assistance.
Among those involved during that period were former Miri Resident Mohammad Hanis Mahlie and Imran Abdul Hamid who was SARM’s first headmaster.
Among the former headmasters who have served SARM were the late Ustaz Ehsan Mustapa, the late Bojeng Abon who was also a former headmaster of SK Syed Othman, and Ustaz Hussin Abas.
The name Madrasah As-Shibyan meanwhile was used in memory of a Malay school at Kampung Dagang here that was established by Tengku Syed Othman around the early 1900s. The school did not have an actual premises with classes held in various people’s houses instead.
In 1986, Miri Malay Charitable Trust Board (LAKMM) took over the management of SARM until now.