Minister Wants Stereotype Schools To Embrace Change
By Zasika Musdi

Bandar Seri Begawan - The need for a mindset change in education was the main agenda during the first 2008 dialogue between the Minister of Education, Pehin Orang Kaya Seri Lela Dato Seri Setia Hj Abd Rahman bin Dato Setia Hj Mohamed Taib, and school principals, held yesterday at the International Rizqun Hotel.

"As expected, education should contain dynamic characteristics in order to respond to the demands for development and global expansion that is ever changing. This means that we ourselves in education need the drive to make the necessary changes, when needed, and we should benchmark the changes in accordance with international best practices."

"Many of our schools, be it primary or secondary, I've observed, run on a stereotypical basis, by which their way of thinking and act are very 'one size fits all'. For instance, intervention efforts that have been executed in schools should be reviewed again so that they really do fulfill the goal of the students. Our students need the room to think and communicate because it plays a big part in the education process nowadays".

He said due to their different backgrounds and abilities, students should be given an education that is specially moulded in order to realise the full potential of every student in accordance with their own abilities and efforts. He said that implementation is not impossible in our schools.

"My question is: "Why can other countries execute this successfully when their number of students is far larger than the number of students in our country?"

He said that whatever efforts, initiatives and changes that need to be done by the ministry - in schools, colleges or institutions of h igher learning—their success is predominantly dependent on the full commitment of all parties and individuals of that educational institution itself. However, it is definitely not an easy task.

"Questions will definitely be raised, such as "should it really be introduced or is it the right path?" — as well as doubts on the efforts that we are trying to introduce. I assure all teachers that whatever efforts planned by the ministry from the start have been devised as whole and also involved consultations with other government departments, parents, leaders and school teachers, and other related parties."

"Research has shown, as well as from experiences in other countries that have successfully achieved progress in education, that school leaders are the main motivators in bringing positive change and success for both schools and students. I am appealing to all teachers, and fully hope that they can accept the challenge in accomplishing the changes that I have mentioned, which I have categorised as a fundamental change."

"All teachers need to change their attitude, open their minds to creativity, and consider it independently, as well as continuously search for and try numerous ways to tackle educational issues in their schools. This is all dependent on the teachers themselves, which will, in turn, reflect and show their commitment, credibility and ability towards the students, schools, parents, the community and our country".

The ministry, he said, is ready to give its full support to the teachers in fulfilling whatever initiative they intend to do. Efforts such as overseas visits, and short- and longterm training have been made. Next week, another effort will be made through the 'School Leaders National Conference and Workshop 2008' where a renowned expert, Professor Michael Fullan, is expected to attend.

"I will continue my commitment to visit schools and I am expecting to see for myself positive changes and noticeable progress. In line with this commitment, commencing, May 1, 2008, the Ministry of Education will allow primary schools with a minimum student capacity of at least 200 to appoint an Assistant Principal, whereas primary schools with more than 500 students will have two Assistant Pfincipals".

The minister added that experts from the Qualifications and Curriculum Authority (QCA), United Kingdom have reviewed the SPNI2 I framework, and have given their feedback. From this review, he said that the ministry will try to compare it with educational systems from other countries, although not in a wide and intensive sense. The framework is in its final update phase.

He said the higher learning sector is not exempted from the ministry's efforts as experts from the United Kingdom have been called in to make an evaluation. Short, medium-and long- term strategic plans will be prepared in the near future with the aim of securing the position of institutions of higher learning so that they would progress accordingly, alongside SPN21 efforts, to achieve the intended success.

The minister said that apart from making comparisons and from learning from the experiences of other countries that could be adapted, the ministry is also considering other efforts such as looking at results of proven research; bringing in experts for help; and making sure that the efforts executed are in line with international best practices as a benchmark to what needs to be achieved.

The dialogue was part of the ministry's continuous commitment to sharing with those present - about 300 principals and deputy principals from both primary and secondary schools - the initiatives that have been and will be implemented by the ministry. From the dialogue, it is expected that the ministry can obtain feedback and receive support from all parties and individuals in the ministry.

During the day-long dialogue, those present also received information on Brunei's 'Vision 2035' and NDP 20072012 from Hj Daud bin Hj Mahmud, Permanent Secretary, Higher Education, who touched on the NDP's implication on education; ministry's projects under NDP; ministry's Scorecard Strategic Plan Achievements; ministry's 20082009 budget plan; and SPN21 updates. -- Courtesy of Borneo Bulletin

Related News: Education Minister Calls For Change In Mindset

Click Here To Have Your Say On This Story

Brudirect.com News

Brunei's Fastest Growing Website with