Outstanding students receive awards at ICC
By Laila Rahman

HRH Princess Hajah Rashidah Sa'adatul Bolkiah, Pengiran Anak Haji Abd Rahim and the guest of honour in a group photo with 'Excellent Students'.

Pengiran Anak Raheemah Sanaul Bolkiah receives her awards from the guest of honour.

Pengiran Anak Raheemah Sanaul Bolkiah, recipient of 'Excellent Student' and 'Best Student' awards.

About 300 students from various primary, religious and Arabic preparatory schools across the country received 'Excellent Student' and 'Best Student' awards during a presentation ceremony held at the International Convention Centre in Berakas.

Attending the event as the guest of honour was Pehin Dato Dr Ustaz Haji Awang Md Zain bin Haji Serudin, Minister of Religious Affairs.

Also present were HRH Princess Hajah Rashidah Sa'adatul Bolkiah, Pengiran Maharaja Setia Laila Diraja Sahibul Irshad Pengiran Anak Haji Abd Rahim bin Pengiran Indera Mahkota Pengiran Anak (Dr) Kemaluddin Al-Haj, senior government officials and distinguished guests.

In his speech, the minister said academic achievements are not based on luck, but rather on students' willingness to study diligently, understand every subject thoroughly while possessing good behaviour in school.

He added the two awards are part of the effort to heighten the students' motivation to learn, as they serve as an acknowledgement for the students, parents and schools.

Brunei Darussalam National Education wants to have a knowledgeable community, and has a vision of a national identity that is based on the Malay Islamic Monarchy that abides to Islamic teachings, the foundation of development, and possesses strong faith towards the religion, monarch and country, he said.

Twenty students received "Excellent Student" awards, six of them from government schools, six from non-government schools, two from Arabic preparatory schools and six from religious schools.

Each student also received a certificate of appreciation, $100 cash prize contributed by Schools Department, $100 worth of saving account contributed by Islamic Development Bank of Brunei and TAIB, bag and watch by DST, passport and card holders contributed by IBB.

Some 294 students, comprising 144 from government schools, 18 from non-government schools, six from Arabic preparatory schools and 126 from religious schools, received "Best Student" awards.

Pengiran Anak Raheemah Sanaul Bolkiah bte Pengiran Maharaja Setia Laila Diraja Sahibul Irshad Pengiran Anak Haji Abdul Rahim received both "Excellent Student" and "Best Student" awards, from the guest of honour.

An annual event organised by the Primary Section, Department of Schools and Department of Islamic Studies, Ministry of Education, the awards are based on specific criteria including diligence and sincerity towards their studies; ability to obey school regulations and instructions from teachers; school attendance; and level of involvement in extra-curricular activities.

Courtesy of Borneo Bulletin