Bandar Seri Begawan - The Director for Administration at the Ministry of Religious Affairs said there has been a surge in registration for religious education at religious schools this year following the enforcement of Mandatory Religious Education Order 2012, which came into effect on January 1, 2013.

And to cope with the increase in enrolment, several religious schools are now under construction. Private schools too have supported the initiative by offering religious classes at their respective schools to meet the needs of Muslim students. Religious teachers from Islamic Education Department were also arranged to teach at these private schools.

Awg Hj Zulkifli bin Panglima Asgar Dato Paduka Hj Abdullah said this at the presentation of prizes to religious school students who excelled in the primary schools certificate examination for 2011 and endof-the-year examination 2011, the first of its kind being organised by the Religious School Division.

It was held at PAP Amal Umi Kalthum Al-Islam Religious School in Kg Mulaut.

"With the concern showed by the Government of His Majesty the Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam in enforcing the Order, we could produce a generation that is balanced physically, emotionally, spiritually and intellectually for nation-building and to develop the family and community.

"The Islamic Education Department would strive to fulfil the aspiration of the country as a Zikir nation through various resources, particularly through teachers."

Awg Hj Zulkifli added that the success of the students was linked to support from the teachers and parents. He urged teachers to step up their efforts in enriching the students with knowledge and were told to be proactive in ensuring that the students understand what has been taught, to instil the attitude of love for the subject and attain excellent results.

The event was to appreciate and provide incentives for students who excelled in both academic and co-curriculum and to encourage and motivate them to enhance their achievement. Some 182 students who had excelled in academic and co-curriculum received their certificates and prizes.

Of the total, 33 students scored grade one in every religious subject and attained an aggregate of five in religious primary school exam. Five students of Primary 1 to 5 who excelled in their examinations were also selected while 144 students of Primary 1 to 6 were selected at the district and area levels.

Every student who excelled in the Religious Primary 6 School Certificate Examination as well as those who excelled in religious schools at the national level received certificates, cash prizes of $130 and a book.

The first placed student who excelled at the district and area level received a cash prize of $80, a book and a certificate, $70 for the second place and $60 for the third place.