Exploring student motivation and challenges in tahfiz class in selected private Islamic secondary schools in Selangor : a case study

Abstract

This research sought to explore the factors behind student motivation in the memorization of the Quran as well as to investigate the challenges which hindered student motivation while memorizing the Quran. It also examined how students overcome these challenges at Sekolah Menengah Islam Al-Amin Gombak and Sekolah Menengah Islam Al-Amin Bangi. A qualitative study through one to one interview to 6 participants were done to gain data for this study. The findings suggested that parents, teachers and the participants themselves influenced student motivation in the memorization of the Quran. In addition, the challenges in Quranic memorization which can be identified included time constraint, lack of motivation, unable to recall, emotional challenges and external noise. The participants overcame the challenges in memorization through the feeling of empathy, parents’ prayer and advice, continuous repetitions, early morning practices, smart scheduling for memorizing, having a partner, introspection, punishment and other learning materials.