Five New Primary Schools In Pipeline
By P Marilyn

Bandar Seri Begawan - The Ministry of Education is committed to cultivating academic excellence in all aspects of education and has plans to implement various undertakings at primary and secondary schools, said the Minister of Education.

During the presentation of awards to primary school students who achieved academic excellence, held at the Hua Ho Manggis Ballroom yesterday, Pehin Orang Kaya Seri Lela Dato Seri Setia Awang Haji Abdul Rahman bin Dato Setia Haji Mohamed Taib, said the ministry will continue to lay emphasis on teaching and learning outside the classroom in all subjects taught throughout all primary schools in the nation.

"This approach with interesting learning techniques will give the students a deeper understanding on what they are learning and generate interest."

Examination, said the minister, does not measure a student's academic excellence but other factors should also be taken into consideration such as the development of 'soft skills', the habit of always yearning to gain more knowledge as well as creativity.

"The Ministry of Education is also making efforts to improve existing school facilities in addition to the establishment of five new primary schools, which will be equipped with teaching and learning facilities as well as ICT equipment," said Pehin Rahman.

Programmes to instill the habit of reading among school children are also active, said the minister. As a continuous effort to accomplish this practice, the Government of His Majesty the Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam has allocated a budget to improve existing reading facilities.

The minister further stated that the ministry would also be introducing the teaching of Mathematics and ICT in English for Primary One to Primary Three at all primary schools throughout the nation starting 2008.

"This step aims to increase the students' performance in the related subjects and at the same time improve their knowledge in subjects such as Malay," said the minister.

The Ministry of Education has also made it compulsory for all to receive education for nine years to ensure that all residents of Brunei Darussalam will at least be educated until Secondary Three.

In line with all these efforts, the training programmes for teachers and school leaders on effective teaching and learning will be continued to ensure quality teaching and learning in schools.

In the long run, the ministry will ensure that all teachers teaching in primary schools will have an educational degree.

Pehin Rahman said, "I believe such efforts will not only create a conducive learning environment for students but will also generate interest among students to attend school for reasons such as to gain more knowledge and achieve success in learning.

"In the ministry's effort to provide quality education services in the nation, it is hoped that all parents will also play a role in monitoring their children's education and for teachers to be more proactive in increasing the quality of teaching and be role models to students," Pehin Rahman advised. -- Courtesy of Borneo Bulletin

Click Here To Have Your Say On This Story

Brudirect.com News

Brunei's Fastest Growing Website with