| Lyna Mohamad |
POLICY and Planning Trustee of Pusat Ehsan Al-Ameerah Al-Hajjah Maryam (Pusat Ehsan), Haji Ahmad bin Haji Abdul Rahman underscored that Pusat Ehsan’s redevelopment project is meant to make the centre more current in its provision of services to special needs individuals.
He pointed this out in his welcoming speech at the official opening of the new Pusat Ehsan Rehabilitation Block yesterday.
Apart from classrooms, the new block is equipped with a gymnasium, a swimming pool and garden, and several physical training machines and equipment to provide a comprehensive and effective therapy service to the special needs individuals.
He further noted that the building of the new block was made possible due to strong cooperation and contribution from the public and private sector, namely through charity campaigns, direct donations and so forth.
A total of BND2 million was allocated for this project – a majority of which was contributed by Her Royal Highness Princess ‘Azemah Ni’matul Bolkiah, Chairperson of Pusat Ehsan; Her Royal Highness Princess Fadzilah Lubabul Bolkiah; and the Patron of Pusat Ehsan.
Work on the second phase of the redevelopment project has also started.
It will include the building of a surau equipped with classrooms to carry out teaching and religious activities, the construction of a vocational complex equipped with vocational training rooms (for student use), a cafe, a tuck shop (to be used to sell products produced by the students), as well as an open concept eating area for the centre’s students and staff.
His Royal Highness Prince ‘Abdul Mateen signing the plaque after officiating the grand opening of the new building of Pusat Ehsan
TOP, ABOVE & BELOW: Photos show His Royal Highness Prince ‘Abdul Mateen and Her Royal Highness Princess Fadzilah Lubabul Bolkiah during a tour of Pusat Ehsan’s new Rehabilitation Block in Bengkurong.- PHOTOS: BAHYIAH BAKIR
Hj Ahmad Hj Abd Rahman, Policy and Planning Trustee of Pusat Ehsan delivers a speech
Pusat Ehsan’s new Rehabilitation Block in Bengkurong
Phase 3, meanwhile, will see the construction of an administration block, multipurpose hall, resource centre, and nursery for the students’ agricultural training.
Besides the construction of new buildings and facilities, the redevelopment project also includes maintenance works being done on existing buildings not affected by the new constructions.
Haji Ahmad further pointed out that apart from the physical development aspect, the project also has a strategic and capacity building portion: Pusat Ehsan has just completed designing a special curriculum for its special needs students with assistance from a consultant from Singapore.
The centre is also upgrading its networking with other government and corporate agencies – including relevant international organisations – to ensure that the services it provides are top quality and relevant with the current needs of its special needs students.
“Although the centre’s operational cost is ever-increasing, this is not an obstacle for the centre to achieve ‘centre of excellence’ status,” Haji Ahmad added.
Besides organising charity projects, the centre has also formed a Teachers Adoption Scheme.
“Through this scheme, public or corporate bodies – through memorandums of understanding – will assist the centre in the paying of its teachers’ or therapists’ salary,” Haji Ahmad said.
On top of this, the centre will also be creating a Memorandum of Understanding for the public and corporate bodies to sponsor students at the centre – the sponsorships will be evaluated based on the education expenses of each of the students.
Yesterday, Brunei Assets became the first agency to sponsor Pusat Ehsan students through this scheme.
Expressing gratitude to the community who have come forward to lend a helping hand to Pusat Ehsan, Haji Ahmad also asserted his confidence that such noble contributions will continue, noting that Yayasan Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah is among the regular annual contributors to the centre.
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