Permanent Secretary (Core Education) at the Ministry of Education (MoE) Dr Shamsiah Zuraini Kanchanawati binti Haji Tajuddin expressed gratitude to school leaders and teachers for their passion and contribution, acknowledging their pursuit of excellence in building a quality education system.
She said this during the School Leaders Mini Convention held in conjunction with the School Leaders Convention 2023 where she was the guest of honour.
Recognising that preparing students to be future-ready extends beyond traditional academic knowledge, she underlined the development of a diverse range of skills and qualities such as critical thinking, problem solving, adaptability, creativity communication and collaboration.
School leaders and teachers, she noted, play a crucial role in the transformative journey, influencing the curriculum, culture and readiness of their schools.
She added that as an integral part of cultivating future-ready learners in a world shaped by innovation and rapid technological advancement, the MoE acknowledges the necessity of a holistic and interdisciplinary approach to education.
In this context, she noted, “Science, technology, engineering, arts and mathematics (STEAM) education is not just a choice, it is a necessity.
She added that STEAM education goes beyond the confines of traditional silos as it fosters a dynamic learning environment where students are encouraged to think critically, solve problems creatively, and collaborate seamlessly.
The convention began with welcoming remarks by Director of Educators Management Department at the MoE Masdiah binti Haji Tuah, in her capacity as the chairperson of the School Leaders Mini Convention.
Some 487 participants comprising leaders from government and private schools and sixth form centres of the MoE and leaders from the Islamic Studies Department of the Ministry of Religious Affairs attended.
The event saw the presentation of the MoE Strategic Plan 2023-2027 books and posters to heads of clusters and representative of the Brunei Darussalam School Leaders Council.
Carrying the theme ‘Quality Leaders, Quality Education’, the mini convention aimed to strengthen systemic coherence in the MoE through the involvement and support of stakeholders, especially departments and schools in the implementation of the initiatives of the MoE.
Meanwhile, the sub-theme for the mini convention is ‘STEAM Education and Skills’.
The event also featured socialisation of the MoE Strategic Plan 2023-2027 and pre-workshop: STEAM Competencies followed by presentations of current and future initiatives by heads of departments. Meanwhile, the afternoon session consisted of a sharing session on the summary of the workshop. – Rokiah Mahmud
