With the new academic year around the corner, parents and guardians are busy buying school supplies for their children.
Sandra and her husband from Tutong District began making preparations for their children in early December. “Our kids are aged between nine and 17. One is in sixth form, two in secondary school and three in primary school,” she said.
In terms of preparations, they checked the prices for uniforms and whether their children’s shoes were still in good condition and made sure all the textbooks and workbooks are in place.
She added that two of her kids will be in the integration system, thus she and her husband have scheduled around it.
Hajah Norhafidah binti Jafaradin, a lecturer at a private higher learning institution, has two children – seven-year-old Haikal bin Farid Irwandi who will be attending Year 2 next year and six-year-old Hana Mikayla who will be in Year 1.
Both are students of Al-Falaah School, and integration will start next year for her son.
“The school shared the book list a few weeks ago and Alhamdulillah the books were ready in the store. We also got few other books, while we bought school uniforms from the school.”
Teacher Nurzaidatul Idza binti Haji Ismail said she is mentally and physically ready for the upcoming academic year. She shared that her daughter, Nur Batrisyia Zulaikha binti Abdul Basyir, is ready due to the familiarisation session held last month.
Meanwhile, single mum Aisyah binti Abdullah said her teenage son will be attending Year 9 at Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Arabic School.
She admitted life has not been easy since her ex-husband passed away months after their divorce.
Her son receives assistance from Yayasan Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah (Yayasan), which she is grateful for.
“It helps ease our financial burden,” she added.
Also speaking to the Bulletin were two students who returned from a family holiday in Miri.
Muhammad Safwan Hafizuddin bin Sahadi and cousin Muhammad Haikal Hakim bin Julaihi are both excited so start the new school term.
Hafiz, who will attend Year 9 at Sultan Omar ‘Ali Saifuddien College (SOASC), said he is ready to begin another year of learning.
“I am glad my parents brought us for a getaway as it helped me to recharge.
“I am looking forward to seeing my teachers and friends.”
His cousin, also in Year 9 next year at Sayyidina Othman Secondary School following a transfer SOASC after his family moved to Tutong District. However, after adapting to his new school environment, he is now more than ready to return to school. – Lyna Mohamad
