Child-Friendly-Shyariah-Curriculum

The Curriculum - A Summary*

One of the most important reasons for introducing the Child-Friendly Syariah Curriculum in schools is to teach learners that Al Qur’an and the world is one. Therefore, this curriculum has a different perspective than most other curricula which look at the world differently or separately from religion. The study of nature is divided into different sciences and the study of religion is divided into moral and ethic studies. The Child-Friendly Syariah Curriculum is no longer following this practise because Al Qur’an and the world is one.

Al Qur’an is a revelation by Allah and it has therefore become the main source of teaching for Muslims. It contains comprehensive general guidelines which can be categorized into two groups; Allah as the Creator of the Universe on Dzat and His characteristics and actions, and; the Universe itself before, during and after mankind was created.

These Holy Scriptures were gradually revealed through Gabriel to Muhammad Rasullah [Peace be upon Him – PbuH] during a 23 years period and He was given the obligation to disseminate them to all mankind. As an ordinary man, He lived his life as common people did. However, He was privileged by receiving and carrying the responsibility to disseminate Al Qur’an, Allah’s revelation. Therefore all His actions were a reflection of the teaching in Al Qur’an. Meaning that outside of His duty to disseminate Al Quran, he acted in the capacity of Rasul Allah [Messenger of Allah]. Therefore, the characteristics of a Rasul which were reflected in His behaviour were documented by the Ulamas [Islamic jurisprudents and scholars] and later called Al Hadith. Al Hadith later became a guide for Muslim life. Basically, all His actions were reflections and explanation of the content of Al Qur’an.

As mentioned previously Al Qur’an explains about the universe before, during and after man kind comes into existence. Al Qur’an explains comprehensively about the creation of the planets [including the earth], flora, fauna, mankind as well as all other elements of nature.

In addition to the teaching on the universe in Al Qur’an, the Child-Friendly Syariah Curriculum is also designed by conducting research on the universe. The research on the universe was done during the initial implementation process of the Child-Friendly Syariah Curriculum as well as during visits to countries throughout the world. The first implementers of the curriculum were parents, students, teachers, communities, community- and faith based organisations as well as the government. Other research was conducted by studying books, digital information and information available on the internet as well as by participating in meetings, workshops, seminars and discussion forums in Indonesia as well as abroad. Visits and observations to different places, such as Norway, was also an important element for research and inquiries on the development of this curriculum.

This curriculum [the Indonesian version] is designed together with teachers of the Muhammadiyah Elementary School for Specific Program in Surakarta in Central Java, Indonesia. Teachers are given training steps by steps by the curriculum developers. In-service training is started from discussions on several basic concepts up to the production of the curriculum in prints. Therefore the teachers are enabled to follow-up the training continuously for the purpose of improving the quality of the curriculum implementation. In this process, the role of the headmaster is crucial because the headmaster is the key manager of the implementation. The main package will continue to be developed and other packages such as; children learning in the family and; children learning from the environment will follow. These packages will be continuously developed so that the Child-Friendly Syariah Curriculum will not merely be a book to read or to be translated but a dynamic process for change.

Considering that the Curriculum is a dynamic process it will be adapted based on the experiences in the Muhammadiyah School as well as in other schools that will introduce the Curriculum. The main element, the quotes from Al Qur’an in every subject can still be directly applied. However, during teacher training programmes it will be necessary to make adaptations based on the educational background, competence, experience and culture of the teachers and headmasters, education policies, regulations and guidelines, availability of other quality textbooks and teaching material, the natural surroundings of the school, the local community and other aspects related to the education of children, bearing in mind that one school will differ from another. For example to teach about leaves and flowers, rocks and soil or traditional markets, the same quotes may be used in other schools but for further elaborations, adjustment should be made taking the local environment into consideration. It is important to note that any adaptation done by headmasters and teachers must involve the students since they are the key persons in the learning process.

*written by Prof. Moch. Sholeh Y.A. Ichrom, holder of the Copyrights to the Curriculum