| Lyna Mohamad |
THE Brunei English Language Teachers’ Association (BELTA) International Festival was officially opened yesterday with a conference event at the Badi’ah Hotel’s Bahtera Hall, which marked the start of a three-day programme.
Present to officiate the event as a personal representative of the Minister of Education was the Acting Permanent Secretary (Core Education) at the Ministry of Education, Dr Haji Azman bin Haji Ahmad.
Yesterday’s ceremony was initiated with a recitation of Surah Al-Fatihah and Doa Selamat, followed by welcoming remarks from President of BELTA, Datin Hajah Khadijah binti Haji Akhbar.
Among others, she pointed out that yesterday’s momentous occasion highlights the 10th anniversary celebration of BELTA’s revival and the commemoration of how relevant teachers’ roles are in steering and shaping children’s future.
She further said that BELTA, formerly known as the Brunei Association of Teachers of English as a Foreign Language or BATEFL, was first established in 1973 as a voluntary and independent body.
They have also been very proactive in promoting English Language teaching and learning in the country.
The Acting Permanent Secretary (Core Education) at the Ministry of Education, Dr Haji Azman bin Haji Ahmad, with President of BELTA, Datin Hajah Khadijah binti Haji Akhbar. – BAHYIAH BAKIR
Their private affiliations include the Yayasan Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah, the United States Embassy in Brunei Darussalam, the Centre for British Teachers (CfBT), as well as collaborations with international education bodies such as the Malaysian English Language Teachers’ Association (MELTA).
The BELTA International Fest is the best avenue for not only English Language teachers, but also others with teaching backgrounds to share their ideas and develop collaborative networks with the hope that this platform will be successful to have more positive and creative inputs in teaching practices.
Themed ‘Celebrating Teachers’, the event also features an exhibition, galleries and a mini bazaar.
Fully supported by the Ministry of Education (MoE), particularly the Department of Schools, the festival’s set objective is to honour all English Language teachers with the special event, while providing a professional platform for teachers to meet, discuss and exchange ideas, as well as to showcase the achievements of various teachers in the country and their best practices.
The organisation has also been very fortunate to receive the sponsorship and support of several embassies and agencies towards ensuring the event’s success.
Among them are the US Embassy in Brunei Darussalam, Regional English Language Office, US Department of State, Hanoi, CfBT Education Services Sdn Bhd and Insurans Islam TAIB Sdn Bhd.
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