| Azlan Othman |
BRUNEI Darussalam’s bilingual education system, with its combination of secular and religious schooling, drew admiring remarks from Dr Krissanapong Kirtikara, Thailand’s Deputy Minister of Education.
Dr Krissanapong who is also the Chairperson of the Princess Maha Chakri Award Foundation (PMCAF), was in the country recently to meet this year’s potential recipient of the foundation’s prestigious award.
“Brunei Darussalam has embarked on a very good bilingual education system incorporating Malay and English in early childhood. In addition, the combination of religious and secular education in Brunei Darussalam has also attracted the interest of Thai educational authorities,” he told the Weekend Bulletin, when asked about his meeting with officials from Brunei’s Ministry of Education.
“Thailand needs this kind of approach in education,” he added.
Dr Krissanapong also broached the topic of exchange students from Universiti Brunei Darussalam (UBD) and their Discovery Year programme in Thailand.
“We are also looking at areas like education for special needs,” he said. “The ministry is willing to work with Brunei in sports education, but in the meantime, we need to do some groundwork.
“We are thinking of bringing in good athletes from Thailand as sports coaches in Brunei Darussalam. That’s what we have to offer to Brunei, as a bridge to cooperation.”
During his recent visit to Brunei, Dr Krissanapong also took the time to present some special education equipment for students with visual, development and learning disabilities at the Keriam Primary School in Tutong District.
The Princess Maha Chakri Award was established in 2015 in honour of Her Royal Highness Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn for her dedication and outstanding achievements in the field of educational development, particularly for the disadvantaged.
The award is given in recognition of highly dedicated educators while also supporting and promoting the development of the teaching profession.
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