I frequently drive on Jalan Gadong to go to work every morning.

Every morning is a nightmare for me because of the heavy traffic congestion along this road.

It normally starts before Masjid Jubli Perak and ends somewhere in Gadong.

The presence of two private school buildings near the Masjid Jubli Perak and one government school near the Beribi traffic lights contribute a lot to the congestion. Parents, like myself, who take our children to these schools are the worst hit.

This is because to get back to the main road after dropping off the children is never easy.

A lot of drivers who use Jln. Gadong seem inconsiderate.

They do not even care to give you way to get back to the main road.

For the sake of everybody affected can the police please do something about this and fast?

Currently, police constables are only placed at the Beribi roundabout and the Gadong T-junction. Putting police constables near these schools surely would help a lot.

- AT

I believe I am speaking on behalf of a lot of people out there who have or are experiencing this problem.

I have been ordering goods from overseas, for at least two years now. During that time I've only come across a delay in receiving my items just once, a few months ago.

The package in question was marked as 'Express' and was expected to have taken at most a week to arrive from the United States.

Instead it took 28 days. Now I'm waiting for 10 more separate items.

One of them, which costs me about US$335 was sent on February 7, 2005 (from United States) and should have taken, under the worst of circumstances a month to arrive in Brunei.

This would be the first ever time that I've experienced such a long delay, not to mention the other items which I am still waiting for.

I would also make a note that none of the items have been shipped, but were air-flown (as shipping takes a longer time).

I have enquired about this from the Post Office but was told that they have not arrived yet.

I understand that it has to go through Customs first, so what is really causing this delay?

And for how long do I have to keep waiting?

- Still Waiting

I wonder if anyone realises that the show called "Growing Up Gotti" is in fact a story about the family of a convicted criminal?

On top of that they feature a family indulging in an outrageous lifestyle, glamourising violence and rude behaviour.

Of course, the Gottis have a right to broadcast their supposedly "cool" life, but why in our country. Why does our Censor Board allow this kind of rubbish for our Brunei viewers?

- Amazed Mother, Seria

I am writing to the Ministry of Education about my younger brother's current situation. He's a good kid, very hardworking and certainly in a position that he does not deserve to be in.

My whole family returned from living abroad two years ago, after serving 18 years in 5 different countries. We are all Brunei Citizens with yellow ICs.

Like me, my brother had trouble adjusting to life in Brunei, especially the education system and the Malay language. All of the countries we've lived in did not have the facilities to provide us with the opportunity to learn Malay.

After arriving in Brunei, my brother enrolled into a private school and immediately joined the Form 5 class. Unfortunately he had to take Principle of Accounts, Economics, and Malay as it was part of his curriculum.

Why I mention these three subjects is because it was the first time he had ever learned them. Which amazes me because after he sat his O level exams last November he managed to obtain two distinctions and five credits in all of his subjects, except Bahasa Melayu.

He is currently waiting for a response from the Ministry of Education on whether he can enrol into Maktab Duli(MD) without a credit in Malay. It has been almost three weeks since the academic year has started, and still there is no response from education authorities.

The fact that he might have to wait for another year to get into MD until he obtains a credit in Malay, really saddens me.

I am fortunate to be in my current position. Even though I have only obtained a 'D' in my O Level Bahasa Melayu exam, I could still attend UBD but would still have to pay the tuition fees.

Luckily I've been able to support my family by taking up a part time job and paying the tuition fees on a monthly basis. I am struggling between my part-time job, my lectures and classes, and not forgetting my Malay tuition classes, but at least I am able to progress with my academic studies.

Unfortunately for my brother, chance of progressing into the next level has been delayed all because he did not obtain a credit in a language that he had only a year to learn with no prior knowledge or experience in it, along with his other two subjects.

He deserves a chance, at least a swift letter of response. He did say that if he was allowed in MD, he would re-sit the O Level Bahasa Melayu paper during the academic year. It doesn't matter if his school fees or allowance are not provided by the government, my family is willing to pay for his fees just as long as he gets the education he deserves.

Let me ask you this; is it reasonable for him to wait another year just because of one subject? He has already exceeded the required number of credits needed to enroll in MD. And if he were to be delayed a year, other than learning Bahasa Melayu, what else will he do?

He is far too young to work or be attached to any job or company.

Why can't the hard work and effort that he had to make to fulfill the requirements of the curriculum to the best of his ability, be recognised?

Please, let him have his opportunity to progress in this country's well spoken of education system.

I await the Ministry's response.

- Looking out for little brother

It is with pride that I write this. To all of you who have contributed to the tsunami fund in every possible way. You should be really proud of yourselves.

Our country has really done a good deed. But let us not forget our very own Jerudong Park, too. After all the park offered us entertainment, rides, concerts for free not so long ago. But now, not just the rides, the toilets too need a lot of attention.

The tourism industry in an effort to promote tourism should play a part in getting attention to look into this matter without further delay.

Especially as we are the 'kingdom of unexpected treasure' please do not let our once- well-known park go to waste.

I have been there recently and have seen tourists being brought in still, however the park is dark and quiet.

We have all given generously to the tsunami fund. I know our beloved country will always strive to help those in need - but can we also focus on the needs of our very own park,as well?

I hope our readers will support this idea, too. Let us work together and bring some life into our once-famous park.

- KT

Your article in the Weekend Travel section was indeed very enticing, I am confident that with this publicity, more people will definitely think of including Manila and Cebu in the Philippines as a travel destination.

To the travel agents, Golden Touch Holiday of RBA, the Tourism Department of the Philippines and all concerned, one thins I noticed is the lack of budget fares to this destination.

The fare is so high compared to what we hear of offers to Singapore, Surabaya, Bangkok and others, maybe they have their own business reasons but come to think of it, who would be interested?

Are expat workers not included in your promotions, because we feel that to visit out families back home is too expensive.

In simple terms, we usually go back home every two years to renew our contracts, but if an affordable fare is available I am sure that more will think of travelling two to three times in two years which needless to bring profit for the airline.

Also to the travel agents, can you please be clear when offering some fares?

Particularly, RBA Blue Skies fare because you don't mention that the ticket offered is only for a two-week validity, whereas most of us spend 30 days at least back home.

- Concerned Expat, BSB

We were surprised to read the article "Call to introduce youths to agricultural world" by Rosli Abidin Yahya in the Borneo Bulletin of Wednesday March 9, 2005, which suggested that there is currently no formal agriculture education in the country.

This is not the case as agriculture science has been on the school curriculum for many years and is currently offered in 10 secondary schools. Around 800 students are studying the subject at different levels.

The aim of the courses is to equip today's youth with knowledge and skills, which will help develop an interest in the country's agricultural sector. This should lead to an awareness of career opportunities as future entrepreneurs within the industry.

Readers should be aware that for many years, until only recently, the Sinaut Agricultural Training Centre has been delivering a wide range of agriculture training courses.

The opening of the Wasan Agriculture Vocational School under the Department of the Technical Education, Ministry of Education will provide further learning opportunities for students in pursuing careers in agriculture.

We support the recommendation that there should also be course be available at university level where research can also be carried out.

The participation of a number of schools, and the Curriculum Development at the Agriculture Food Fair 2005 has hopefully made the public more aware of the availability of the subject in schools and also helped to strengthen links with the agriculture industry.

- Agri-Aware