Brunei's Local News - Brudirect.com

Bandar Seri Begawan - Some 88 per cent of students bring their mobile phones to school, making this the biggest social issue among students, said facilitators of a Islamic Religious Knowledge Teachers Forum.

Other major social problems prevalent among students were smoking and the inappropriate behaviour of "coupling", with 77 per cent and 56 per cent respectively.

Speaking in yesterday's forum, "Issues in Islamic Religious Education in Technical, Vocational and Secondary Schools", the facilitators include Ibrahim Hj Abas, a representative of the Sultan Saiful Rijal Technical College (MTSSR), Hjh Siti Afzan Hj Sulaiman from Sayiddina Hussain Secondary School and Hjh Noraini Hj Mohammad of Seri Mulia Sarjana School.

"Even if we are not able to overcome these problems entirely, we must at least find a way to

decrease the statistics," said Ibrahim.

He stressed that teachers play an important role in tackling these social problems as teachers have the responsibility to shape students as role models in the society.

"In the future, the new generation will replace us. We need to think about whether religion will still be prioritised during their time," he said.

Ibrahim said that the forum provided an opportunity for the teachers to address the social issues as well as think of ways to create programmes and initiate strategies to combat the problems.

Hjh Siti Afzan agreed that teachers play a pivotal role, adding that teachers should come up with various activities, such as motivational programmes and joining non-governmental organizations like Girl Guides or Red Crescent. The society as a whole has a role to play in decreasing these social issues, she said.

"We must let the youths understand that their actions are important if they want to achieve success," she added.

She further said that the role of parents is important as they have to establish a strong religious foundation so that their children will not have difficulties handling moral issues.

She said that constantly motivating their children will get the parents the respect they need from their children. Parents need to keep a closer eye of people their children socialise with, so that they will be prepared to handle the problem when the need arises, she added.

She also touched on the importance of counsellors in schools and proper counselling for students who are in need of guidance.

About 150 Islamic Religious Knowledge teachers from secondary, technical and vocational schools attended the forum at Wasan Vocational School.

Organised by heads of Islamic Religious Knowledge teachers, the forum also saw teachers participating in an interactive discussion through questions and information exchange.

The guest of honour was Ustazah Hjh Fatimah Hj Abdul Ghani, the assistant director from the Islamic Studies Department of the Ministry of Religious Affairs. -- Courtesy of The Brunei Times