Referring to the statements by the Director General of MOE regarding Sepadu Integrated School System in BB Opinion on 26/01/2005 and BB Weekend on 9/01/2005, I have to say there appear contradictions between what was said and what is really being implemented in the schools.

Quoting the statement 'primary school teachers attended the afternoon session only just twice a week'.

Contrary to what has been said, teachers in most schools are required to attend afternoon session 'at least' three times a week.

Why are some headmasters and headmistresses not following the Ministry's guidelines?

The statement of teachers 'staying in school for 9 hours a day' is not untrue.

Because, a one-hour lunch break from 12:30pm to 1.30pm is not enough for teachers who live far from from school, to go home and come back.

These teachers therefore stay in school from 7am until 4.30pm, a total of nine and a half hours, for at least three times a week.

I hope the Ministry will look into this matter when fine-tuning the present system.

- Concerned, BSB

My heartiest congratulations to Marat Safin on his dream victory over World No.1 Federrer, at the semifinals of the Australian Open Tennis championship.

It was a historic win since it disrupted the long winning streak of Federrer, and also a sweet revenge of the last year's final at the same venue.

I attribute Marat's success to his mental strategy more than to the physical game. I strongly feel that playing at one's best is never enough to beat a very tough and classic opponent especially the likes of Federrer.

It's the knowing how "not to lose" that is crucial than to know "how to win". Sometimes, your best game suits the opponent so much that it makes it very easy for him to beat you while playing just the game (mediocre however it may be) that makes it difficult for the opponent to play can turns the match in your favour.

I think Marat Safin studied Federrer's style to the minutest detail, and exploited his weakness. So, Bravo! And Best of Luck Marat for the grand finals!

- Jagrut Kamble, Kuala Belait

I don't know why people are complaining about the longer school hours. As a busy parent, I prefer to not have to rush home for my children when they come home at 12.30 pm for lunch.

I would be very happy if the Ministry of Education would have extended school hours for my children every day.

Then I can have more time to finish my housework, go shopping, facials, and make myself beautiful. As for lunch for my children, it is easy - I give them a dollar each to buy nasi lemak.

My husband does not like the new school hours though.

He says his boss will not let him leave work at 11.30 am and return at 2.00pm to work.

- Happy

Well done Director General of Education for clearly explaining system pelajaran bersepadu. I previously believed that the new system was burdensome for students and teachers. But the comments by the MOE clearly tell us the important reasons behind the changes i.e. moral decay.

The MOE is courageous in making such a tough decision.

In times of moral decay a society needs tough leaders who are not afraid to make difficult decisions for the good of all society.

Anyway, students in the Government Primary schools are already fluent in English, Malay and Jawi.

So obviously our children can cope with even more curriculum. Imagine Brunei's future - a Country that can fluently speak three languages and with high moral standard. We will be the envy of the world.

Keep it up MOE.

- A Proud Bruneian

We as citizens are so thankful for the privileges offered to us by increasing our secondary children's education allowance.

This gives us an opportunity to send our children to another private school. We get to save a lot when the allowance is subsidised.

However, we are very disappointed and frustrated with the current school rule requiring us to pay a full term's fees when our child has been in school only for a couple of days.

We are aware that the Withdrawal Deposit will be forfeited if short notice is given.

This is very sad in particular for parents who have been very loyal to this school and have paid school fees promptly.

Our children have been given an opportunity but the current school is making it very difficult for us.

Can someone help us? Please!

- Disappointed Parent

What all these complainants fail to consider are two things, population of size (Brunei approx 300,000 vs. Hong Kong 8000000 = 26.6 times more people).

Demographically, I am sure that there is a large percentage of the Hong Kong population that doesn't have the resources to afford computers and two don't have the need or desire for them. The same could be said of many places including Brunei.

Brunei's Internet and mobile phone networks, while not perfect, are actually quite efficient and cheap in per capita cost compared to most places. Brunei is quite 'forward' too in these things. Also Brunei's population would not warrant too much competition, as there is not a large enough group to provide sufficient profit for too many of this type of enterprise.

Also the response and persistence of the team at BruNet once a problem is highlighted is worthy of praise. So before criticising we should look at all the information first.

- Sick Of Whiners

When I read of the Malaysian who was gored by an elephant because he was teasing the animal, I cannot help but think that it is a shame the poor animal will now be punished for the stupidity of man.

An animal will react when provoked, some more so than others. Yet some silly people persist in goading animals thinking it's a sport to make fun of a defenceless creature.

I am reminded of kids in our society who think it's fun to tease, shout, throw stones and threaten my family's dogs.

The dogs are well secured behind gates or on chains. These kids will encroach on the dogs' area and tease the animals.

When the dogs react by barking and baring their teeth, some parents (who have obviously not punished their children for harassing the animals) tell us off for rearing fierce pets! Some people are so ignorant of animal behaviour.

Leave the dogs alone and they will leave us alone.

Do not trespass and encroach on their compound.

Parents must remember to teach their children to respect all animals, including those that we consider unclean, and to not harass them.

- Not Impressed

We are undergoing industrial work experience at present and we would like to express our unhappiness with the company to which we are attached.

Everyday we are told to do tasks, which we are not supposed to do, either by our supervisor or manager. For one whole week, we were asked to do cleaning only at the company's premises. We have already spoken to the manager concerning this matter but he takes it too easy.

We also informed matter to our teacher but until now there has been no action taken.

How can we gain the work experience, we so need in this way?

I hope officers from the Department of Technical Education, Ministry of Education, will check this and take our complaint seriously and take immediate action by commissioning all present industry-attached students.

There should be a law against such behaviour. I hope it will not happen again.

- Disappointed Students

The article released by the Department of Education, Ministry of Education, titled "Education Department Plans to Upgrade Technical Institutions", on January 18, 2005 at your opinion column, really attracted my attention. I read it with interest.

I would like to know if the Ministry of Education also plans to establish its first Polytechnic University. If so, then the Ministry of Education, should announce it.

It would be another great milestone for our small nation if it really were to happen.

- Keen Student