Initiatives supporting the digital transformation plan to strengthen technology use in education are still in the early phase of implementation or in the pilot phase, said Minister of Education Yang Berhormat Datin Seri Setia Dr Hajah Romaizah binti Haji Mohd Salleh at the 20th session of the Legislative Council (LegCo) meeting yesterday.
She added, “The Ministry of Education (MoE) through the technology education centre will continue to monitor and assess the effectiveness of the initiatives continuously. The ministry through the Department of Planning, Development and Research will conduct research on the impact and results from the initiatives.”
She was responding to a query from LegCo member Yang Berhormat Abdul Aziz bin Haji Hamdan on the impact on initiatives such as smart classrooms and blended learning have had on students. LegCo member Yang Berhormat Pehin Orang Kaya Laila Setia Dato Seri Setia Awang bin Haji lbrahim inquired on achieving a 90 per cent pass rate target for post-secondary certificates.
The minister shared, “The percentage of certificates in technical and higher education covering level 2 to level 6 of Brunei Darussalam Qualification Framework 2022 is 86.8 per cent which is 3.2 per cent shy of achieving the 90 per cent target.
“The main reasons for students not completing their studies include failing, withdrawing from studies due to employment or illness, as well as personal issues such as financial issues, the lack of family support and social issues among others. There are also repeat students who complete their studies the following year.”
To help graduates obtain employment, she added “several efforts have been implemented by the MoE through higher education intuitions through yearly events such as a career exhibition organised by the Centre of Networking, Employment and Career Training (CoNECT), Universiti Brunei Darussalam, a career carnival by Universiti Islam Sultan Sharif Ali, market day by Politeknik Brunei as well as encouraging self-employment through start-ups.” – James Kon
