Financial Education Waqf Model for Johor Government Religious Schools (Jgrs), Towards Sustainability of Islamic Education in Malaysia

Abstract

The contribution of waqf for the sustainability of education is undeniable. Leading Islamic educational institutions such as the Madrasah Nizamiyyah in Baghdad, Qurawiyyin University in Morocco and al-Azhar University in Egypt are funded with waqf funds. Even the concept of waqf has been transformed into the form of endowments in the West and became the basis for the establishment of Merton College in Oxford, England and Harvard University in the United States. In Malaysia, the establishment of sekolah pondok, madrasah and Islamic college are also funded with waqf funds. These institutions are managed by the State Islamic Religious Council, Tuan guru pondok or individual trustee. In the state of Johore, Malaysia, The Johore Islamic Religious Council (JIRC) has developed a total of 573 religious’ schools on waqf land. Through Saham Wakaf Johor, the donor/waqif can donate as low as RM10. JIRC also provides school uniform donation initiatives to poor and needy students in primary schools, secondary schools and Johor Government Religious Schools (JGRS). However, waqf for financial school management as well as teaching and learning facilities as implemented by public universities in Malaysia has not been introduced at the secondary and primary school levels, especially in educational institutions under the auspices of JIRC. Therefore, the purpose of this study is to identify the waqf financial model for education both in Malaysia and other countries as well as to suggest the introduction of Financial Education Waqf Model for JGRS to stay competitive with other private religious schools. To conduct the research, qualitative study using content analysis methods from books, journals, proceedings, articles, magazines, website content and others will be examined. All information obtained were analyzed, compared and reported in this paper. A total of RM 20.8 million was successfully raised from Saham Wakaf Johor for the benefit of JGRS's development. It is not impossible with the introduction of a waqf financial for teaching and learning needs, a number of funds can be raised for the benefit of Islamic education, especially in the state of Johor. The paper also suggested introducing Waqf Muaqqat (temporary waqf) in order to supply ICT equipments for JGRS.