International Islamic Secondary School Sarawak to admit first students in 2027

The International Islamic Secondary School Sarawak (SMAIS) is set to begin operations in January 2027 with an initial intake of 60 students. While the school's permanent building is expected to be completed in March 2027, the first cohort will be temporarily accommodated at Sekolah Rendah Datuk Murtada Haji Daud in Kuching.

According to Datu Mual Suaud, secretary of the Sarawak Islamic Council (MIS) and director of the Sarawak Islamic Religious Department (JAIS), the initial students will be drawn from Ma’had Tahfiz Tun Abdul Rahman Ya’kub (MATTARY) in Kuching. Selection will be competitive, focusing on academic achievement and Quranic memorization skills, such as the ability to memorize seven juzuk.

The school's curriculum is designed to integrate academic and religious studies, combining the National Curriculum, IGCSE Cambridge programmes, and science education with an Al-Azhar-based curriculum and Quranic memorization. This model is inspired by the educational system at Madrasah Aljunied Al-Islamiah in Singapore. The institution, which has a capacity for approximately 500 students, also intends to offer exchange programs for international students.

In addition to SMAIS, the Sarawak Islamic Council plans to establish another religious secondary school in Bintulu to expand access to religious education across the state, specifically targeting areas like Betong where such facilities are currently limited.