| Azlan Othman |
HIS Majesty Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Mu’izzaddin Waddaulah ibni Al-Marhum Sultan Haji Omar ‘Ali Saifuddien Sa’adul Khairi Waddien, Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam has lauded efforts by the Ministry of Education (MoE) to produce local coaches for its Literacy and Numeracy Coaching Programme.
“As educators, teachers are required to be at their very best, in order to produce successful students. Teachers are the key to success. In an ever-changing and expanding world, the need for human resource capacities grows ever more challenging,” His Majesty said in a titah yesterday during the 27th Teacher’s Day celebrations at the International Convention Centre (ICC) in Berakas.
“This adds more significance to the definition of excellence for a teacher. With that in mind, I am pleased to note efforts being made by the MoE in making teacher capacity-building as the main focus in educational strategy. This is appropriate for individual improvement and progress,” said His Majesty.
“Towards the improvement of teacher capacities, I welcome the Literacy and Numeracy Coaching Programme initiative by the Ministry of Education, to produce more outstanding and accredited teachers as local coaches.
“I am pleased to note that as yet, 29 teachers have completed the capacity-building programme as certified local coaches for the Literacy and Numeracy Coaching Programme.”
“I hope to see an increase in numbers; and for teachers who are not yet directly involved as local coaches or learning partners, they should avail themselves of international expertise through professional development programmes for teachers provided by the MoE.
“In this respect, I would advise the MoE not to be complacent or inattentive in monitoring the Literacy and Numeracy Coaching Programme, while ensuring that it runs on a course that does not violate our national philosophy.”
The monarch said, “In this context, it is appropriate for the MoE and the Ministry of Religious Affairs (MoRA) to work together with the relevant government agencies to provide attractive packages, as incentives for teachers interested in becoming local coaches.
“At the same time, we are assessing student competency in knowledge and thinking skills, which can be implemented through the country’s participation in the Programme for International Student Assessments (PISA).
“This programme involves students who will be 15 years in 2018, and it will provide an assessment of our students’ competency and rankings compared to their peers on an international level.
“This is also a challenge for the teachers’ capacity in getting our students to understand the essence and complex thinking processes of life. We must not forget that apart from academic successes, moral values are also important for students, and should not be neglected.
“Teachers are directly responsible for shaping their students’ character. They should not be merely limited to improving their students’ knowledge, but also set positive examples for them. In this respect, teachers must not disregard moral education.
“By the same virtue, parents are not exempt from their teaching responsibilities, since they are the first and main educators before all others.
“Parental influence has a strong bearing on the characteristics of a student, and I would urge all parents to understand this.”
His Majesty concluded the titah by wishing all teachers a Happy Teacher’s Day. “It is my hope that your efforts to educate the people will receive multiple blessings from Allah the Almighty,” said the monarch.
“And as for the recipients of the Teacher’s Day awards, I extend my congratulations to them, with the hope that these awards will further encourage and motivate them to improve their performances to higher levels.”
Also in attendance were His Royal Highness Prince Haji Al-Muhtadee Billah, the Crown Prince and Senior Minister at the Prime Minister’s Office; His Royal Highness Prince ‘Abdul Mateen; and His Royal Highness Prince ‘Abdul Wakeel.
The theme for this year’s celebrations is ‘Teacher’s Excellence, the Core of an Ummah’s Success’.
Afterwards, His Majesty presented 27 recipients with Teacher’s Day awards, beginning with the Minister of Home Affairs, Pehin Orang Kaya Seri Kerna Dato Seri Setia (Dr) Haji Awang Abu Bakar bin Haji Apong, who received the Sultan Haji Omar ‘Ali Saifuddien (SHOAS) Education Award, while Dato Paduka Haji Ali Hashim bin Haji Daud received the Meritorious Teacher’s Award.
His Majesty later viewed an exhibition showcasing teachers’ contributions towards their students in terms of projects and successes at the national, regional and international levels.
The exhibition also displayed efforts undertaken by the MoE and MoRA in enhancing teaching method skills through more structured programmes based on the best practices in developed countries, particularly in teaching and learning at schools.
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