The Use of ICT in Teaching Islamic Subjects in Brunei Darussalam

This paper examined the use of ICT (Information and Communication Technology) in teaching Islamic subjects in religious schools. Besides that, this paper also studies the IT usage in teaching Islamic Religious Knowledge (IRK) subjects in secular schools (non-religious or normal schools). Religious schools also known as Islamic School are managed by the Ministry of Religious Affairs while secular schools are managed by the Ministry of Education and other private organizations. However, the curriculum of Islamic and IRK subjects are controlled by the Ministry of Religious Affairs. In 2008, the Ministry of Education introduced a new education system known as SPN21 or Sistem Pendidikan Negara Abad 21 (21st Century Brunei Education System). In the system, IRK become one of the, core. subjects, means that every student must take IRK at all level. The primary objective of adopting SPN21 is to form the balanced individuals; the Muslims become better Muslims and non-Muslims become better citizens, so that they can live harmoniously towards developing the countries. SPN21 also emphasized the importance of making schools conducive for learning and one factor that contributes in learning process is the use of Information and Communication Technology (ICT). ICT is used as a teaching aid possibly in the demonstration aids and discussion. More prevalent use of ICT by Religious Education teachers may be achieved by educating the work force (mostly Islamic teachers) who incidentally did not have prior knowledge of ICT. In Islam, the use of modern technology is encouraged as it helps towards the development of positive thinking, the ability to innovate and to trigger the drive for self-improvement.'