Basic Education ‘No Longer Sufficient’
By Lyna Mohamad

Bandar Seri Begawan - "In this day and age, to stay literate, educated and informed is no longer sufficient. It is not enough to just attend schools or university.

We are required to be willing and able, and to constantly and continually learn new things while unlearning old ones that are no longer relevant while re-learning other things to keep moving forward."

This was stated by Commander of Royal Brunei Armed Forces, Pehin Major General Dato Paduka Seri Awg Hj Halbi Hj Md Yussof during the opening of the 4th Executive Development Programme yesterday.

"Some of us tend to view continuing education and learning as a `nice to have' rather than an `essential pursuit', while others regard learning as something that they would cease to encounter once they have left school or university, and others may feel that they are simply too old or cannot cope with learning new skills," he added.

The RBAF Commander said higher education does not need to end once entering the working world, nor should it.

"With rapid globalisation and associated advances in technology and communications, the nature of our work and even leisure has changed considerably. Therefore, there is an urgent need for continuing education and training. The need has now become an imperative," he added. He also spoke on the need to change the mindset.

"As adults, as parents, as workers and as individuals, we all need to be learners, in whatever way that works for us in order to remain relevant. Whether as enlightened and competent parents, or knowledgeable and skilled workers, or simply to play a meaningful part in the community," he said.

He added that it was equally important that a good example be set for children and to pass on the habit of lifelong learning.

"As they move on in life, everyone, no matter what the circumstances, no matter how old, no matter how educated, or lacking in formal education, and no matter how busy, must take individual ownership and acquire the ever-lasting zeal to acquire and utilise new knowledge and new skills from whatever means," the RBAF Commander said.

However, he cautioned that developing a culture of learning, where lifelong learning becomes a way of life for everyone and where every individual takes a personal interest and responsibility for his or her own learning, will not happen overnight.

"It will take us some time, before we can become a learning organisation and a learning nation. But we can be encouraged by the progress that has been made," he said. -- Courtesy of Borneo Bulletin

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