Assessing the Effectiveness of Huffaz-SPM Fast Track Framework (HifzX): The Case of Darul Huffaz TATI Skills
List of Authors
Ahmad Wafee Sulaiman, Mohammad Redhwan Abdul Aziz, Mohd Najib Muhamed, Muhammad Safuan Mansor, Sara Asmawati Shariffuddin, Syahrul ‘Alim Baharuddin
Keyword
SPM, Tahfiz and Madrasah, Fast Track Program, Framework, Management
Abstract
Many Tahfiz and madrasah students are left behind academically and career-wise due to a lack of mainstream education qualifications such as Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia (SPM). Lacking SPM impedes them from opportunities for tertiary admission, academic scholarship, and job entrance. As a result, many academic institutions have begun providing the SPM Fast Track Program to accommodate students’ needs by providing intensive and accelerated preparation classes prior to the examination. Therefore, this study proposes the Huffaz-SPM Fast Track framework (HifzX) as a guide to assist educational institutions by offering the best service to ensure student academic excellence and achieve financial returns, while preserving the students’ Islamic identity and values. It also examines the framework’s effectiveness, adopted by an educational provider in Terengganu. A qualitative approach was employed whereby several types of documents from 2019 to 2024 were selected as the instrument and later analyzed. Interviews were conducted to gauge the experience of coordinators, instructors, and students with the program. The findings indicate that the effectiveness of the proposed framework is due to three main elements: student, financial support, and intensive teaching and learning. Fourteen components were further identified to complete the proposed framework. The findings also demonstrate that SPM results from 2019 to 2024 (six cohorts) have steadily improved, as the General Point Score (GPS) increased from 6.39 in 2019 to 4.44 in 2023, before slightly decreasing to 4.77 in 2024. Meanwhile, gross profits from the same period showed constant growth as the number of students increased yearly. The participants generally expressed positive views regarding the program. The study contributes to the literature on Tahfiz education by proposing a framework for conducting an effective SPM Fast Track program for Tahfiz and madrasah students and graduates. The HifzX framework should be employed to guide the development of such initiatives by educational providers nationwide, empowering more students with academic and professional prospects.