No pressure behind cancellation of selawat programme, says Johor Education Dept

JOHOR BARU: A programme to include selawat (praises to Prophet Muhammad) in primary and secondary schools throughout Johor has been cancelled just 24 hours after it was launched.

The Program Sekolah Berselawat (PSB) was launched by state Education director Md Said Md Daimon on Thursday (Jan 5) and cancelled the very next day.

Responding to questions about the sudden cancellation, the Johor Education Department said it was not due to pressure from any quarters.

“The department would like to stress that the cancellation of PSB is not because of pressure as claimed but because of considerations to improve the suitability of its objectives and delivery to the target groups," it said in a statement on Monday (Jan 9).

“Initially, the programme was to be conducted at Sekolah Menengah Kebangasaan Agama and Sekolah Agama only, focusing on students’ character development and mannerisms in general.

“However, the programme was cancelled on Jan 6 so that the department could work on improving the programme and study its suitability for other schools in Johor."

According to a letter signed by Md Said, the programme would involve all primary and secondary schools in Johor.

The programme would include the selawat recitation every morning, at the end of the school day and during recess.