INDOCTRINATION AS A PEJORATIVE CONCEPT

Master'sMASTER OF ART

A study of the implementation of a new curriculum at Madrasah Al-Irsyad Al-Islamiah

The research study aimed to understand the educational experiences of the staff, students and parents at Madrasah Al-Irsyad Al-Islamiah in the implementation of a new curriculum; how the staff, students and parents perceive the philosophy and pedagogical practices of the new curriculum in relation to the effectiveness for teaching and learning; and the Islamic discourses that underpin the philosophy, content and pedagogical practices of new curriculum. The case study consists of focused group interviews, one-toone interviews with staff, students and parents (selected groups) to understand the processes involved in the implementation of the new curriculum. The major research findings include the following: 1) The curricular changes in the Madrasah were in alignment with the academic demands of the Compulsory Education Act; 2) The perceptions of the key community members of the Madrasah with regard to the educational reforms in Madrasah education were both positive and negative, and 3) The curricular changes were underpinned by an Islamic discourse that is compatible with a modern, globalised and plural society under a secular state; and The findings of the project have contributed towards existing knowledge on curricular reforms for Islamic schools in Singapore and Islamic schools within secular states in general, and benefited policymakers, educators and the larger community on the key issues, challenges and strategies related to the implementation of curricular changes in religious schools.RP 7/07 TH