Bandar Seri Begawan - DES School held a graduation and concert ceremony at the BRIDEX Hall in Jerudong yesterday, to mark the completion of the academic year of 2012 for a total of 23 Year Six and 77 Kindergarten Three pupils.

Awards for the three outstanding pupils and special awards for students with special needs from each level were also feted yesterday.

The guest of honour at the event was the Deputy Minister of Culture, Youth and Sports, Datin Paduka Hjh Adina binti Othman, along with the presence of YAM Pengiran Anak Haji Abdul Qudduus bin YAM Pengiran Lela Cheteria Sahibun Najabah Pengiran Anak Haji Abdul Aziz and Dk Ratna Siti Nooraishah binti Pg Dato Paduka Hj Hamzad.

Also present at the event were the Permanent Secretary at the Prime Minister's Office, Awg Hj Mahrub bin Hj Murni; Deputy Director of the Private Education Section at the Ministry of Education, Pg Othman bin Pg Mohammed Daud; Founder of DES School, Dyg Hjh Zaiton binti Hj Mohd Noor; and the Co-Founder of DES School, Pg Hj Othman bin Pg Hj Serudin.

In the guest of honour's speech, she highlighted that with the importance of childhood education, the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports should emphasise on early childhood education and licensing authorities for early childhood education for those below three years of age.

The guest of honour was seen handing the certificates to the students along with their parents on their side.

Singing and other stage performances entertained the guests, which comprised parents, guardians and other family members. The Ocarina Club was also seen performing on the stage where the students used a musical instrument in which the sound is produced by an enclosed column of air that is moved by the breath.

The event began with a welcoming speech by the Principal of the DES School, Pg Hjh Ernie Suryanie binti Pg Hj Othman, in which with the implementation of the star reward system, children will be able to achieve their goals and dreams, to be responsible and committed yet independent individuals equipped with strong initiatives.

She also congratulated the students especially for the graduates and the outstanding achievers, as well as the teachers for extending their efforts to diligently rehearse their students and prepare them for their performances yesterday.

"Our management is seriously working to better our school system with the adaptation of SPN21, including our school's exciting monthly programmes to make learning fun for all students and also provide better ICT facilities to the year to come. We ensure the quality of learning in school gets better through providing staff with professional development programme and teachers training among two areas; inclusive of education programme with the Special Education Unit of MoE and planned on School Based Assessment For Learning (SBAFL) in which the Private Education Section from MoE will spearhead next year," concluded her speech.

--Courtesy of Borneo Bulletin