James Kon
Understanding Shared Histories in Southeast Asia, a Resource Book derived from the Promoting Intercultural Dialogue and a Culture of Peace in Southeast Asia Through Shared Histories project, a collaboration between United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) and the Ministry of Education (MoE), was launched during a ceremony at Serambi Batil Hall, Tarindak D’Seni, Bandar Seri Begawan yesterday.
The event, organised by the MoE through the Curriculum Development Department, was officiated by Deputy Permanent Secretary (Core Education) at the Ministry of Education Aliuddin bin Haji Abdul Rahman was the guest of honour.
In his welcoming remarks, Acting Director of Curriculum Development Department Ali Hamdani bin Haji Md Diah said, “Brunei Darussalam joined UNESCO in 2005 and has been involved in several projects in the education related field organised by UNESCO.
“Alhamdulillah, in 2016, Brunei Darussalam was selected as the pioneer country for the implementation of UNESCO Intercultural Dialogue and a Culture of Peace in Southeast Asia through shared Histories.
“The project, he added, “among others aimed to develop and promote innovative educational resources on the history of Southeast Asia, instill an understanding, ownership, thinking and history research skills as well as awareness and comprehension of dialogue and relations between cultures, to provide exposure to students on the history of Brunei and Southeast Asia and to expand 21st Century learning and teaching and raise the quality of teaching in classroom.
“Brunei Darussalam, he explained “through Curriculum Development Department, organised activities related to the project in phase two. Several activities in phase one was carried out in 2016 to 2018 covering talks, workshops for pioneer schools, visit to historic sites like Kota Batu, Mendaram Long House, Sago factory and art competition themed ASEAN for Year 9 students.”
Phase two, he revealed, “began its implementation from 2019 to 2021 with focus on publication of the resource book on understanding Shared Histories in Southeast Asia and local context. The resource book is produced and updated by the working committee comprising officers from the Curriculum Development Department and teachers of social studies subject for Year 7 and Year 8 from selected secondary schools.
“The book was reviewed and assessed by Assistant Professor from Faculty of Arts and Social Science (FASS), Universiti Brunei Darussalam Dr Rommel Curaming, appointed by UNESCO as the Technical Advisory Committee to provide guidance and director in the implementation of the project systematically.”
The ceremony continued with the presentation of the Certificate of Appreciation, books and souvenirs by the guest of honour to the Working Committee. The resource book will be circulated among all government and private secondary schools under the MoE, as well as Arabic schools under the Ministry of Religious Affairs.
The event was followed by an exhibition of posters from winners of the ASEAN Themed Drawing Competition for Year 9 students. The competition was held in September 2018 as one of the project activities.