| Azlan Othman |
THE Early Childhood Care and Education Unit (UPPAKK), Ministry of Education, yesterday held a certificate presentation ceremony for graduates of higher education institutions and former ‘O’ and ‘A’ Level students who have passed their exams last year and have followed temporary work placement programme as Voluntary Preschool Assistant Teachers for 2017. The event was held at the Ministry of Education building.
The guest of honour was Zaman bin Haji Gapar, Director of Schools.
The ceremony began with the recitation of Surah Al-Fatihah led by Ustaz Haji Abdul Saat bin Mokim, an officer from the Department of Schools, followed with the presentation of certificates to 50 volunteers comprising five graduates of higher education institutions, three former ‘A’ Level students and 42 former ‘O’ Level students.
The main purpose of the programme was to expose students to recognise the concept of voluntary culture and contributing their service to the community, which is very beneficial for the development of the personality and youth identity. This programme also encourages students to be more productive in doing charity work and serving the community without asking for any rewards.
In addition, this placement programme can help build and develop soft skills among students such as communications, teamwork and leadership. Desire and interest in getting involved in becoming an educator can also be nurtured as students have the opportunity to offer help and gain experience as a preschool teacher. This is a life-long learning that is very useful for students.
The Ministry of Education hopes that the Temporary Work Placement programme can help teachers and schools prepare for new preschoolers especially in the early school season.
With such assistant service for the students, learning and teaching can work more smoothly, easily and in order. The management of such programmes is also expected to improve the quality of education in Brunei Darussalam by producing confident and self-reliant students to support the National Education through the aspiration of the National Education System for the 21st Century (SPN21).
Various initiatives have been implemented to enhance the vision of the Ministry of Education as well as to support the SPN21 and Brunei Vision 2035.
UPPAKK has also planned and is implementing several preparatory initiatives including Temporary Work Placement programme for former ‘O’ and ‘A’ Level students as voluntary Preschool Assistant Teachers in government primary schools throughout the country.
The programme was first introduced in January 2013 and offers former’ ‘O’ and ‘A’ Level students who are waiting for the exam results to work as volunteers. In 2013, a total of 114 students participated in the programme, while 162 joined the programme in 2014.
A total of 145 students participated in the programme in 2015 while 52 joined the following year.
Although the number of volunteers declined in 2015 and 2016, this year, the number of volunteers shows an increase where 83 students – five graduates of Higher Education Institutions, 10 former ‘A’ Level students and 68 former ‘O’ Level students attended the programme and helped preschool teachers address the care and learning of children at preschool.
The placement of these students is subject to residential address and school location to facilitate them to attend the volunteer programme.
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