PRELIMINARY STUDIES: NEEDS FOR SMARTJAWI APPLI-CATION FOR CHILDREN AGED 4-5 YEARS OLD IN ISLAMIC EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTIONS

Abstract

The lack of engaging and developmentally appropriate educational materials remains one of the key problems in teaching Jawi to young children. Many Islamic educational institutions still rely on traditional methods such as the use of textbooks and writing exercises that are mechanistic and less child-centred. Such methods are seen as not in line with contemporary pedagogical needs, especially among early learners who require more holistic and enjoyable learning experiences. In order to address this issue, this study examined the perceptions of Islamic preschool educators on the importance of Jawi education and the potential for technology integration in improving Jawi literacy among children. Through semi-structured interviews with three educators, the findings show that Jawi is recognized as an important medium for preserving Islamic heritage and Malay cultural identity. However, educators expressed several challenges including limited teaching resources, different levels of students' literacy, and less interactive pedagogical approaches. Participants showed strong interest in using digital applications that are user-friendly, game-based, and supportive of pre-comprehensive teaching strategies. This study proposes that interventions such as Jawi Apps may act as an innovative approach to address Jawi literacy challenges and strengthen the teaching practices more effectively in Malaysian Islamic preschools.