In a statement, G25 recommended making a few of the religious subjects part of an after-school curriculum to allow more time to be spent on science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) subjects.

“It is of the utmost importance that religious schools conform to the national education system to ensure students who attend only state religious schools are exposed to a well-balanced national education curriculum,” the group said.

G25 said the average time spent on religious education for primary school students is seven and a half hours a week, compared to five hours a week on mathematics and six hours a week on science.

The group also highlighted the lack of quality education in schools across the country and reiterated the importance of supporting teachers so they can build a positive learning environment for their students.

It added that state-controlled religious schools should be subjected to the Education Act 1996, which requires them to follow the national education curriculum and be monitored by the education ministry.

Meanwhile, G25 praised education minister Fadhlina Sidek for expanding the Rukun Negara Club to schools across the country, including private schools.

“It is timely that the education minister is giving attention to the application of the Rukun Negara in school culture so that the young generation can grow up to become responsible and broad-minded citizens,” it said.

G25 recommended the Rukun Negara Club also be set up in vernacular and religious schools that fall under the state Islamic religious councils.

The group also proposed that the Federal Constitution be taught at primary schools, along with Rukun Negara, as the two complement one another.

“This is so that students would be exposed at an early age to human values such as equality before the law, freedom of speech and expression, personal liberty, freedom of assembly and so on,” G25 stated.