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Students Shun Science
By Sonia K.

Bandar Seri Begawan - Only 18 per cent of students take science subjects like Physics, Chemistry and Biology every year, and there has been no change in the numbers since 2001.

This calls for serious attention, said Pehin Dato Hj Awang Abdul Rahman bin Dato Haji Mohamed Taib.

The Minister of Education was the guest of honour at the closing ceremony of the BASE Science and Technology Week 2006, at the International Convention Centre, which came to a close yesterday.

The minister said it (lower number of students taking the science stream) can be worrying if this continues, because the number of human resources skilled in science and technology will not be able to support the development of the country.

Pehin Rahman said what he has observed during his working visits to schools are that students do not want to take science subjects because they have the perception that science subjects are difficult to grasp and are not interesting.

Besides, it could be due to the lack of

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creativity of teachers teaching the subjects or could be due to the limited opportunity that is given to students who have less admirable academic achievements to pursue higher studies.

The minister said that he sees the BASE Association as the key in improving teaching and learning as well as attract students to take up science and technology subjects. This is because the BASE itself involves a lot of members that are made of science teachers. He also urged other science teachers that are not BASE members to also play the same role.

The Ministry of Education has recently formed a committee aimed at increasing the number of students to take up science subjects and to carry out a research to find why only a few students opt for science education in Brunei. To achieve this, the ministry has thought of making BASE as one of the committee members, the minister said.

This takes into account that BASE has experience and wide exposure in science and technology as well as a wide network with foreign organisations, Pehin Rahman said.

The Minister added that it is not easy to enhance the students' interest in science and technology as it involves cooperation and commitment from all parties such as relevant government agencies, parents, industries and higher institutions.

What is needed here is to stress that science and technology is relevant in opening the students' minds and that it is also important in our daily lives, the minister said.

The Ministry of Education is also taking initiatives to introduce new education schemes where students will be involved in research projects in specific fields that will be needed for the development of the country, said Pehin Rahman.

Some of the fields include physics, mathematics, robotics, information technology, Ecology and so on. One of the latest initiatives by the ministry is the revised syllabus in the science subject for higher primary schools. The syllabus emphasises on science by inquiry which involves experiments, work projects, practicals and problem solving skills as well as instilling values such as creativity, openness and the willingness to know about science, the minister added.

This year's BASE Science and Technology Week comprised activities involving all levels- lower primary, upper primary, lower secondary, upper secondary, and tertiary institutions, personnel from government agencies, private companies as well as BASE affiliated establishments. So far, BASE has received an overwhelming response from students, especially primary schools, in joining its activities.

Based on a theme, BASE Science and Technology Week incorporates all student-based innovative and interesting scientific activities through a collective exhibition to stimulate the imagination and creativity of youths whereas Science Teachers' Conference/ Seminar would be the culmination for science educators and this year's theme is `Realising Economic Diversification through Science and Technology'.

The Science and Technology Week 2006 was organised by Brunei Association and Science Education in cooperation with the Ministry of Education and sponsored by Brunei Shell Petroleum Co. Sdn Bhd. -- Courtesy of Borneo Bulletin

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