Learning of Malay and Arabic is basic in inculcating Islamic values and culture To Malay pupils. Other than Malay Schools Madrasahs continued to Serve Malays and Muslims in Singapore

Even before Stamford Raffles landed in Singapore a few Koran schools (Madrasahs) functioned on the island. For Malay boys and girls it was absolutely necessary for them to be able to pray and read in Arabic. This was part of their basic education to learn Islamic values and culture which was an integral part of their education from earliest times. Graduates from these Koran schools also religious teachers or 'imams' (priests) in the Mosque.

Beginnings of Malay vernacular education in the Straits Settlements and later in the Malay States had their roots in these Madrasahs where a little Malay was also taught.

First formal instruction in Malay under the British administration was in August 1834 when the first Malay class of 12 boys was started in the Singapore Free School. When A.M. Skinner was appointed the first Inspector of Schools in 1871 he gave impetus to Malay education and two successful Malay School were established in Telok Blangah and Telok Seaga; classes were conducted up to primary six. In 1876 classes were opened is a residence belonging to the Sultan of Johore at the Istana Lama (old palace) at Telok Blangah. A Malay College was also started at Telok Blangah in 1878 but it was unfortunately closed in 1882.

The first Malay Girls' School was started in 1884 with 60 girls also at Telok Blangah; this was closed in 1887.

In the Lemon Report in 1919 the British government reiterated their policy: that government Malay vernacular schools 'is the essential element in our education system.'

British education policy in the Straits Settlements before World War II was: to provide free basic four years course in Malay and Malay Literature and later school leavers to join trade schools or pursue vocations in agriculture.

The Madrasahs are still a feature of Malay education in Singapore. Private classes in the homes of religious teachers formed the foundation of the Madrasahs in the early 20th century largely by wealthy Arab families like the Alsagoff and Aljunieds. Madrasah Aljunied in Victoria Street was founded in 1927 and Madrasah Alsagoff in 1912 in Jalan Sultan. Graduates of these Schools have served Singapore, Malaya and Brunei as religious teachers, teachers, priests, politicians, businessmen and social workers in the Malay and Muslim communities.

Today the Madrasah Al-Junied has pre -primary, primary, secondary and pre-university classes. Both Arabic and English are the media of instruction. Students sit for the Cambridge Ordinary Level Examination and pre-university pupils are prepared to attend the University of Al Azhar in Egypt to become religious teachers and officials of the Mosque.

By 1941 the enrolment in registered schools in Singapore was: Malay Schools 5,800, Chinese Schools 38,000, Tamil Schools 1,000 and Trade Schools 300.

Formal Malay Schools continued to functions after World War II and later when equality was given to all streams of education - Malay, Chinese, Tamil and English - choice was given to parents to select a stream, and a large number of Malay pupils opted for English Schools. This eventually led to the closure of Malaya Schools but Malay pupils offer Malay as the Second Language in English Schools. They also continue to attend classes in Madrasahs before or after their regular school hours.