Rokiah Mahmud
The Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports (MCYS), through the Community Development Department (JAPEM), celebrated the 16th World Children’s Day themed ‘A Better Future for Every Child’ at the Digadong Hall of the MCYS.
Minister of Culture, Youth and Sports Dato Seri Setia Awang Haji Nazmi bin Haji Mohamad was the guest of honour.
Fifty Years 9 and 10 students from public schools participated in a workshop as part of the celebration.
Hand4Hand Brunei founder Haji Muhammad Iqbal Fakhri bin Haji Damit and Assistant Professor at the Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah Institute of Education Dr Nordiana binti Haji Zakir delivered the first workshop, ‘Life Skills Needed by Children for the Future’, with Educational Psychology Officer, Department of Special Education Pengiran Salimatul Sa’ada binti Pengiran Mohd Salleh as moderator.
Meanwhile, psychologist from the Community Psychology Division, Ministry of Health (MoH) Hajah Rozailah binti Haji Abdul Rahman and Counselling Officer from the Public Service Department Norsuzilawati binti Abdul Rahman delivered the second workshop ‘Mind to Heart’, moderated by JAPEM counselling officer Hafiz bin Haji Kifle.
The workshop highlighted the importance of mental well-being.
A pantomime by Yayasan Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah (YSHHB) Primary School students was also held to encourage children to become better people. It also provided an overview of the importance of parents’ role in guiding children to have a brighter future and the importance of maintaining mental health.
The day concluded with a closing ceremony, attended by Permanent Secretary (Community) at the MCYS Hajah Nor Ashikin binti Haji Johari as the guest of honour.
Other activities were also carried out to mark World Children’s Day celebration, including Doa Kesyukuran in religious schools nationwide on November 19.
Activities have been lined up until month-end, including a briefing on the Convention on the Rights of the Child for Years 7 to 10 students tomorrow; a celebration at Children’s Cancer Foundation (YASKA) and Child Development Centre (CDC) on Thursday; a sharing session titled ‘Appreciating Kindness’ on November 26; and a ‘What Makes Me Feel Grateful’ activity at Bandarku Ceria organised by MyActionsForSDGs on November 27.
In support of World Children’s Day, the Sultan Haji Omar ‘Ali Saifuddien (SHOAS) Bridge was lit with blue lights last night from 7pm to 5am as a symbol of the celebration in line with the official colours of the United Nations Children’s Fund.
