| Azaraimy HH |
“CLASSROOMS are battlegrounds in which school leaders and teachers work to produce students who excel in studies and possess characters to become valuable assets for the country,” stated Acting Minister of Education Pengiran Dato Seri Paduka Haji Bahrom bin Pengiran Haji Bahar in his speech as guest of honour during a ceremony to hand over official appointment letters to some 95 school leaders nationwide.
The event, held recently at the Multipurpose Hall of Universiti Teknologi Brunei (UTB), was organised to confirm the appointment of new school leaders – comprising school principals, headmasters, deputy principals and deputy headmasters – to replace those retiring or moving on to other schools, and to fill the needs of the Department of Schools.
The Acting Minister of Education said the Ministry of Education (MoE) hopes to see the country’s school leaders play important roles as effective “instructional leaders”.
The event saw a sharing session titled ‘Growth Mindset and Instructional Leadership’ by Mathew Eric Letham, Headmaster of Dato Marsal Primary School, a Cluster 3 school.
Also present at the event was Acting Permanent Secretary at the MoE, Dr Haji Azman bin Ahmad; and Acting Director-General of Education, Zaman bin Haji Gapar – the ceremony chairman.
In his speech, Pengiran Dato Seri Paduka Haji Bahrom said the event is particularly important as school leaders are the focus point and the fulcrum that ensure the proper running and administration of schools.
“They are the guides, the ‘motivators’ to their fellow teachers, the ones who reflect upon the identity and image as well as create the direction of their respective schools,” he said.
He emphasised that school principals and headmasters “play important roles in interpreting and implementing the national education policy for the MoE at the school level, and are also sources of reference and inspiration serving to strengthen the spirit and morale of teachers”, adding that “they also inculcate noble values to students and influence their successes, in line with the national education policy (SPN21) aspirations, which is incorporated with the Malay Islamic Monarchy concepts”.
“Principals and headmasters are main players and engines in the implementation of changes, initiatives and policies put in place by the MoE toward realising the aspirations of 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 of developing and inculcating a high-calibre, robust and resilient generation of youth, a generation which is capable of carrying the nation to reach Brunei Vision 2035,” he said.
He also thanked those from the ministry who were involved in enlivening His Majesty’s Golden Jubilee Celebration, saying, “the best way to show our appreciation to His Majesty for ruling the country benevolently is to show a positive mindset, and work harder sincerely to educate the country’s youth.”
He stated his belief that the appointed leaders are fitting, committed and competent candidates, able to meet the long-term objectives and expectations of the MoE.
“Among the biggest challenges faced by school principals and headmasters is how to transform teachers’ mindset to one that is more positive, innovative, committed, productive, responsible, high-integrity and accountable. To those school leaders who are assiduously implementing changes and improvements, I thank and congratulate them,” he said.
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