James Kon
Teachers are in the spotlight of the learning recovery issue. They are expected to use technology creatively, to provide socio-emotional support to their students, and to reach those most at risk of falling behind.
This was said by Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn of Thailand yesterday during the opening of the Princess Maha Chakri Award (PMCA) Foundation’s 4th PMCA Forum at Centara Grand and Bangkok Convention Centre at Central World, Bangkok, Thailand.
The forum, which ends today, promotes educational development for countries in the Southeast Asia.
The Thai princess said, “We are aware of the challenges due to the global impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on learning, health, and well-being of students.
“Learning loss due to school closures disrupts students’ learning. Nevertheless, the crisis has brought about many teaching and learning innovations to replace traditional classroom teaching.”
She said sharing and learning best practices among members of the region in this forum will help the recovery from the COVID-19 education crisis.
“Teachers are responsible for developing a learning environment to motivate students to learn, and are required to adapt face-to-face learning materials to be used online or in a blended learning format,” she added. To help teachers cope with those challenges, she said, “Various parties have to support them with facilities, training, and appropriate policies.
“I am very pleased that the 4th PMCA Forum will provide platforms for the 11 2021 PMCA Awardees to demonstrate their teaching innovations.”
The opening ceremony was live streamed at Royal Thai Embassies in 10 Southeast Asian countries.
On behalf of the Ministry of Education, Acting Head of International Relations Division Pengiran Haji Ahmad Masudwardi Aidil-Fitri bin Pengiran Haji Mohd Daud attended the event at the Royal Thai Embassy.
The PMCA is an international award established in 2015 to honour Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn’s outstanding achievements in education and in advancing people’s quality of life.
The bi-annual award honours teachers in Southeast Asia whose contributions to education and human development deserve international recognition.
Brunei’s 2021 PMCA recipient Pengiran Haji Mohd Wahab bin Pengiran Haji Abdullah from the School of Hospitality and Tourism at the Institute of Brunei Technical Education (IBTE) Sultan Saiful Rijal Campus attended the forum and delivered his presentation on best practice workshop along with previous PMCA recipients in from 2015, 2017 and 2019.