| James Kon |
TO INSPIRE and inculcate the culture of reading as well as instil the spirit of love for the nation among students, the Curriculum Development Department under the Ministry of Education (MoE) yesterday unveiled the ‘My Inspiration’ books for students of primary and secondary schools.
The must-read books under the ‘My Inspiration’ were officially launched by Pehin Orang Kaya Indera Pahlawan Dato Seri Setia Awang Haji Suyoi bin Haji Osman, the Minister of Education as the guest of honour at the Hall of Raja Isteri Girls High School (STPRI).
The newly-launched books among others, include ‘The History of the Sultanate of Brunei’ (a joint publication by the Curriculum Development Department and Malay Islamic Monarchy Supreme Council Secretariat) and ‘Attaining Blessings in the Development of Science and Technology’ (written by Pehin Datu Seri Maharaja Dato Paduka Seri Setia (Dr) Ustaz Haji Awang Abdul Aziz bin Juned, State Mufti).
There is also a reading culture programme log book to encourage students to read more than 40 books in a year.
Haji Abdul Rahman bin Haji Nawi, the Director of Curriculum Development, said that the MoE plays an important role in addressing the challenges and support for the objectives of Brunei Vision 2035 to produce highly skilled, educated and successful citizens.
In connection with this, the Curriculum Development Department has continued its effort to encourage and instil the culture of reading among students to increase their level of literacy.
On the new books, he explained, “The history of the Sultanate of Brunei for Year 5 comprises topics like ‘Sultan Muhammad Hasan’, ‘Sultan Abdul Jalilul Akbar’, ‘Sultan Husin Kamaluddin’, ‘Perang Pulau Chermin’ and ‘Brunei Pusat Perdagangan Serantau’ published by the Curriculum Development Department.”
The books are written by officers of the department and are the continuation from the history of the Sultanate of Brunei published for Year 4 last year. A number of new topics will be published for Year 6 in 2018.
Touching on the reading materials under the ‘My Inspiration’ books, Haji Abdul Rahman said they were written by local religious figures and scholars.
“These must be read by students to learn about the writers’ thoughts to help raise their knowledge on the nation, religion and Bruneian identity,” he said.
Other books under the ‘My Inspiration’ are ‘Love your Parents’ and ‘Uphold the Architecture of Malay Islamic Monarchy’ published by the State Mufti’s Office.
Explaining the reading culture programme log book, Haji Abdul Rahman said, “The log book is designed for primary school to make sure students understand the contents or message of the book. Among the characteristics of the log book are spaces for students to fill in the summary and new words. The log book also takes into account the opinions from teachers and parents/guardians on the level of understanding and writing skills of the students. The log book has been put on trial in three schools and has shown encouraging results.”
The highlight of the ceremony saw the signing of Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the MoE and the State Mufti’s Office under the Prime Minister’s Office.
The signing allows for the book written by Pehin Datu Seri Maharaja Dato Paduka Seri Setia (Dr) Ustaz Haji Awang Abdul Aziz to be part of the ‘My Inspiration’ initiative.
Witnessing the event were Pehin Orang Kaya Indera Pahlawan Dato Seri Setia Awang Haji Suyoi and Dato Seri Setia Dr Haji Japar bin Haji Mat Dain @ Maidin, Deputy State Mufti.
Signing on behalf of the Ministry of Education was Haji Abdul Rahman and Haji Saiful Nizam bin Haji Sulaiman, the Acting Director of Administration signed on behalf of the State Mufti’s Office.
Others present were Pengiran Dato Seri Paduka Haji Bahrom bin Pengiran Haji Bahar, Deputy Minister of Education; Dr Haji Azman bin Ahmad, Acting Permanent Secretary at the MoE and ministry officials.
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