Pondok schools should not become dumping grounds for problem children

PASIR MAS - Pondok education institutions should not become a dumping ground for problematic children.

Religious Affairs Minister Datuk Dr Mohd Na’im Mokhtar said the guidelines for enrolling students into pondok institutions have been made for reference.

According to him, the existence of uniform guidelines is to ensure that those who enter pondok schools or institutions truly want to learn.

“We want to ensure the individuals are of good quality because that is the kind of students we want to produce,” he said after the Ramah Mesra with Kelantan Scholars, Teachers and Pondok Students at Pondok Lubuk Tapah, here on Friday.

He said parents play a role in ensuring children are educated to become good individuals that do not cause problems when sent to pondok schools.

“I have stressed this repeatedly and hope that parents play a bigger role collectively.

“We don’t want the responsibility to be placed in pondok institutions o deal with children who have problems due to the lack of education and discipline," he said