Kuala Belait - The Children's Day celebration - an annual activity organised by the Community Development Department ( JAPEM) and in conjunction with World Children's Day - commenced in the Belait District yesterday. The celebration, themed "Appreciate Out Voice", is held in the form of a two-day forum joined by some 150 students from secondary and primary schools in the Belait and Tutong Districts.

Present as guest of honour at the event was the Minister of Culture, Youth and Sports Pehin Orang Kaya Pekerma Laila Diraja Dato Seri Setia Awg Hj Hazair bin Hj Abdullah.

Also present at the event were the Deputy Minister of Culture, Youth and Sports, Datin Paduka Hjh Adina binti Othman; Legislative Council members in the Belait District; Permanent Secretaries and the Deputy Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports; the Belait District Officer; Chairman of the Belait and Seria Municipal Board; Chairman of the Tutong Municipal Board; heads of department, directors and senior officials from the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports and its departments; and heads of government branch departments; as well as principals of government and private schools.

Representatives of the event's sponsors - Baiduri Bank Berhad, Sunlit Advertising Sdn Bhd and Brucert -were also present at the celebration.

The students were divided into 10 groups which discussed 10 different issues, namely effective learning, health, social issues, individuals with special needs, religious appreciation, financial management, family values, spirit of volunteerism and culture. JAPEM hoped that the discussion could guide them in formulating children-related programmes.

The event was further enlivened with an oratorical speech by Dyg Nurin Mirza Irdhina binti Erwandi from St Andrew's School.

The guest of honour then toured an exhibition set up by government and non-government agencies which highlighted children's programmes in the Sultanate.

--Courtesy of Borneo Bulletin