Azlan Othman
Main initiatives implemented by the Ministry of Education (MoE) and its achievements in ensuring the provision of holistic education in accordance with the ministry’s vision of Quality Education, Dynamic Nation were highlighted by Minister of Education Datin Seri Setia Dr Hajah Romaizah binti Haji Mohd Salleh at a dialogue session with Legislative Council (LegCo) members at the ministry yesterday.
Some initiatives shared under Core Education were the Learning Support programme aimed at helping students facing difficulties in mastering literacy and numeracy skills in primary and secondary schools; and strengthening standards and curriculum in line with international standards for Bahasa Melayu, Mathematics, English Language, Science, Digital Literacy (standards) and Information and Communication Technology (curriculum).
Others included the preparation of a framework to implement a curriculum based on 21st-Century skills such as the Financial Literacy Competency Framework for School Children and Adults, and Digital Citizenship: Framework and Guideline for Schools; and Introduction of Student Personality programme (Program Sahsiah Pelajar) in filling the co-curriculum.
In addition was the continuous provision of Centre of Excellence to ensure the potential development and learning needs of students with special needs can be met. To strengthen and improve 21st Century teaching skills, the School Based Assessment will continue to be widely implemented.
Datin Seri Setia Dr Hajah Romaizah also said several initiatives implemented in higher education include employment rate after six months of graduation for Politeknik Brunei (PB) and Institute Brunei of Technical Education (IBTE) cohort 2021 graduates which has shown a good percentage; and obtaining international recognition that measures specific ability criteria comparable to international universities.
The minister also said, in supporting lifelong learning, Universiti Brunei Darussalam and Universiti Teknologi Brunei have introduced the Postgraduate Microcredentials programme to give professionals and graduates an opportunity to improve their skills which will enable them to obtain Brunei Darussalam Qualification Framework (BDQF) approval at either Level 6 or 7.
She added that in realising every plan led by the MoE, priority will be given to the development of Organisational Excellence, especially from the point of view of governance, availability of infrastructure, and increasing human resource capacity.
At international level, close cooperation, especially through bilateral relations with foreign educational institutions continues to be strengthened.
The minister also touched on the challenges brought by COVID-19, resulting in school closures leading to learning loss as well as affecting students’ health and well-being. There were also challenges during online learning or home based learning such as the absence of digital devices and Internet data.
Among the ministry’s approaches in dealing with the challenges was the implementation of the Learning Recovery programme for primary, secondary and sixth form education in literacy, numeracy and science. This is also in line with the Education Response and Recovery Strategy (e2Rs) to deal with the effects of online learning during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The dialogue session is part of an annual event of Department of Councils of State at the Prime Minister’s Office with ministries and agencies. The session was attended by 19 LegCo members, led by Yang Berhormat Hajah Safiah binti Sheikh Haji Abdul Salam who also delivered her reply speech on behalf of the LegCo members.
Permanent secretaries, vice chancellors, rector, deputy permanent secretaries, heads of departments and senior officers at the MoE were also present.
The meeting proceeded with a dialogue session between the LegCo members and MoE representatives. The sharing session was conducted in an open discussion setting to discuss issues and share information to support the MoE in its efforts to realise Goal 1 of Brunei Vision 2035 of Highly Educated, Skilled and Successful People and further enhance the nation’s quality of education.
