Bandar Seri Begawan - In this era of globalisation, religious integrity and purity are being challenged and threatened more due to the explosion of information via ICT. Thus, there is a need to be agile and fast in tackling these threats.

This can be achieved through providing holistic religious education curriculum materials, as this will enable the nation to produce a generation with sound faith and strong character.

Such an initiative would be taken in heed of the titah of His Majesty the Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam at the recent National Youth Day celebration, in which His Majesty expressed hope that relevant parties, particularly the Department of Islamic Studies, will review, assess and update the available religious education curriculum.

The Deputy Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Religious Affairs, Ustaz Hj Harun bin Hj Junid underscored this in his speech during a certificate presentation ceremony for the 44 participants who had completed their courses and workshops at the Seameo Voctech Regional Centre in Gadong.

The event also saw the presence of the Director of Seameo Voctech, Awg Alias bin Hj Abu Bakar; and the Acting Director of the Islamic Studies Department, Ustazah Hjh Asmah binti Hj Randah.

The ceremony began with the mass recital of Surah Al-Fatihah, which was followed by speeches by Awg Alias and Ustazah Hjh Asmah. Awg Alias disclosed that to date, the centre has successfully trained more than 17,000 teachers, directors, school administrators and many more teaching members in various fields of education management, research, ICT and so on.

The skills training focusses on five fields, namely Education Management, Curriculum Development, Teaching Knowledge, Research and Information Technology.

Meanwhile, Ustazah Hjh Asmah pointed out that as the department responsible towards the management and administration of religious education in the country, JPI realises that among the strategic issues to be focussed mainly on, is to upgrade the capacity and professionalism level of its officers and stall:

The department looks forward to the approach and methodology that is appropriate for the religious curriculum, so that it will meet the current needs of the teaching staff and students for the 21s' Century.

She further noted that the courses aim to upgrade skills of its officers in the aspect of curriculum and computer-based teaching aid material developments, publication of textbooks and references/workbooks for students and the usage of computer technology in teaching and learning.

These, she added, are amongst the department's initiatives in realising its strategic objectives underlined in its `Buku Rancangan Strategik JPI 2012-2014', which is to adjust the religious schooling curriculum according to current needs.

She also expressed hope that the course will be able_ to help realise the department's hope in achieving its mission; to upgrade and strengthen religious studies and the education system through an effective and dynamic management approach.

Yesterday's ceremony continued with a report presentation by a representative of the participants and a speech by the guest of honour.

Prior to the certificate presentations, there was a multi-media presentation on method teaching, facilitated by Awg Saiful Anuar Abd Rahim and Awg Ariffin Hj Yussof from Seameo Voctech.

Participants of the courses comprised officers and staff of the Department of Islamic Studies.

--Courtesy of Borneo Bulletin