IS THE INTEGRATION OF TAHFIZ-TEVT THE ANSWER TO INDUSTRY NEEDS? A CRITICAL ANALYSIS OF CURRICULUM ALIGNMENT AND GRADUATE EMPLOYABILITY

ADAKAH INTEGRASI TAHFIZ-TVET JAWAPAN KEPADA KEPERLUAN INDUSTRI? ANALISIS KRITIKAL KESELARASAN KURIKULUM DAN KEBOLEHPASARAN GRADUAN

Abstract

The integration of Islamic education and Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) through the Tahfiz–TVET initiative, introduced in 2022, is widely regarded as a strategic effort to empower huffaz with relevant technical and vocational competencies. However, despite the proliferation of policies and programmes, significant gaps remain in terms of conceptual inquiry and critical analysis regarding the extent to which the Tahfiz–TVET framework effectively functions as a catalyst for enhancing the employability of tahfiz graduates within the contemporary labour market. Current studies on TVET in Malaysia consistently highlight the persistent structural issue of curriculum misalignment with industry demands, a concern that also extends to religion-based programmes. This concept paper aims to provide an in-depth examination of the Tahfiz–TVET integration as a model for developing Muslim human capital that is not only grounded in strong mastery of the Quran, but also equipped with technical and professional competencies. Drawing upon a critical analysis of recent journal articles, policy reports, and official documents, this paper explores several key dimensions, including the positioning of Tahfiz–TVET within the national TVET ecosystem, issues of curriculum-industry mismatch, the potential of an Attitude–Skills–Knowledge (ASK)-based competency framework, and its implications for the employability and social mobility of tahfiz graduates. This concept paper proposes a preliminary conceptual framework to evaluate and restructure the Tahfiz–TVET integration to be more industry-oriented without compromising Islamic identity and values, thereby opening avenues for further discourse in terms of policy, curriculum design, and practical implementation.

Abstrak

Integrasi pendidikan Islam dan TVET melalui inisiatif Tahfiz–TVET yang dilancarkan sejak 2022 dilihat sebagai langkah strategik untuk memperkasa golongan huffaz dengan kemahiran teknikal dan vokasional yang relevan. Namun, di sebalik pelbagai dasar dan program yang diperkenalkan, masih wujud kelompongan dari segi kajian konseptual dan analisis kritikal tentang sejauh mana kerangka Tahfiz–TVET ini benar‑benar berfungsi sebagai pemangkin kebolehpasaran graduan tahfiz dalam pasaran kerja moden. Kajian semasa mengenai TVET di Malaysia turut menegaskan bahawa isu ketidakselarasan kurikulum dengan keperluan industri kekal sebagai masalah struktur yang berpanjangan, termasuk dalam program berasaskan agama. Kertas konsep ini bertujuan menghuraikan secara mendalam idea integrasi Tahfiz–TVET sebagai satu model pembangunan modal insan Muslim yang bukan sahaja kuat dari segi penguasaan al-Quran, tetapi juga kompeten dari sudut kemahiran teknikal dan profesional. Berasaskan analisis kritikal ke atas artikel jurnal, laporan dasar dan dokumen rasmi terkini, kertas kerja konsep ini mengupas beberapa aspek utama iaitu kedudukan Tahfiz–TVET dalam ekosistem TVET nasional, isu ketidaksepadanan kurikulum dengan kehendak industri, potensi kerangka kompetensi berasaskan Attitude–Skills–Knowledge (ASK), serta implikasi terhadap kebolehpasaran dan mobiliti sosial graduan tahfiz. Kertas kerja konsep ini mencadangkan satu kerangka konseptual awal bagi menilai dan menstruktur semula integrasi Tahfiz–TVET agar lebih berpaksi pada industri tanpa mengorbankan identiti dan nilai Islamiah, sekali gus membuka ruang perbahasan lanjut daripada sudut polisi, kurikulum, dan amalan lapangan.