The Department of Special Education in collaboration with the Department of Private Education has prepared a special curriculum framework for the establishment of the first private special school for students with high level needs, which will begin operations in early 2024.
The framework is one of the Ministry of Education’s (MoE) efforts to ensure a more inclusive, structured teaching and learning approach, and to empower staff to developing teaching methods that meet the students’ needs.
Minister of Education Datin Seri Setia Dr Hajah Romaizah binti Haji Mohd Salleh said this during a dialogue session with Legislative Council (LegCo) members at the Conference Hall at Sultan Hassan Secondary School in Bangar, Temburong District yesterday.
The minister also touched on the new MoE Strategic Plan (2023-2027) and the initiatives implemented in realising the MoE’s vision of providing quality and holistic education in line with its ‘Quality Education, Progressive Nation’ aspirations.
Datin Seri Setia Dr Hajah Romaizah also highlighted other initiatives of the ministry such as improving information technology (IT) skills among students in primary, secondary and higher education levels.
“Programmes run by the Science, Technology and Environment Partnership Centre (STEP Centre) and the construction of Digital Literacy Standards provided by the Curriculum Development Department improve digital skills among students with current technology trends,” the minister said.
Other efforts revealed include Human Resource Development through programmes and training to equip the workforce in the MoE with the best and latest professional training; forging collaborative relationships with stakeholders such as Manpower Industry Steering Committee for Energy (MISC Energy), Manpower Planning Employment Council (MPEC), Ministry of Health, JobCentre Brunei (JCB) and industry experts to provide internship placement so that students are exposed to jobs in line with their majors.
Datin Seri Setia Dr Hajah Romaizah also highlighted the provision of facilities and infrastructure to add and upgrade primary schools and higher education institutions buildings that have become obsolete and unable to accommodate large numbers of students.
The minister also touched on the involvement of LegCo members, parents and guardians and the community, “which is essential in supporting and realising the vision and mission of the MoE to achieve the vision of ‘Quality Education, Progressive Nation’”.
The session is an annual event for the Department of Councils of State, Prime Minister’s Office with all ministries.
Yang Berhormat Dr Haji Mahali bin Haji Momin as the Head of the Legislative Council members delegation 2023 said, “The MoE plays a pivotal role to realise Brunei Vision 2035 to produce highly skilled people. A budget of more than half a billion dollars have been allocated to the MoE to improve the infrastructures, purchase products and so on.”
He also lauded the move by the ministry to organise the dialogue in Temburong District.
“The Sultan Haji Omar ‘Ali Saifuddien Bridge could speed up development in the Green Jewel.
It is also a good avenue for higher educational institutions to carry out medicinal research in the district’s vast flora and fauna,” he said.
Yang Berhormat Dr Haji Mahali added surrounding fresh air in the district is conducive to the students at the new Sultan Hassan Secondary School building in Pekan Bangar and enables LegCo members to create ideas and thoughts in the school.
The meeting proceeded by a dialogue session between the LegCo members and the MoE.
The dialogue session was conducted in an open discussion setting to share information and discuss issues as well as suggestions that can benefit the MoE in an effort to realise Goal 1 of the Brunei Vision 2035 which is Educated, Highly Skilled and Accomplished People and further improve the quality of education in this nation.
Also present were permanent secretaries, vice chancellors, rector, deputy permanent secretaries, acting deputy permanent secretary, heads of departments and senior officials at the MoE. – Azlan Othman
