THE leaders attending the 20th Conference of Commonwealth Education Ministers (20th CCEM) agreed on a series of recommendations to tackle the challenges facing education among Commonwealth member countries and to ensure that high-quality teaching and learning is a national priority.
The agreement was reached at the closing of the ministerial meeting recently.
The 20th CCEM, held from February 19-23 in Nadi, Fiji, under the theme, ‘Sustainability and Resilience: Can Education Deliver?’ was attended by Dr Haji Azman bin Haji Ahmad, Acting Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Education.
The event was officiated by Rear Admiral (Rtd) Josaia Voreqe Bainimarama, Prime Minister of the Republic of Fiji.
In the Nadi Declaration, ministers recognised the importance on investing in early childhood education, Technical Vocational Education and Training (TVET) and higher education.
Brunei Darussalam remains committed to prepare its young generation for future roles as citizens who are capable, creative, and innovative, who would continue to uphold the national philosophy embedded in the Malay Islamic Monarchy or Melayu Islam Beraja (MIB) concept through the national education system, National Education System for the 21st Century (SPN21).
The SPN21 provides multiple pathways to cater to students with different capabilities, interests, inclinations and needs.
This enables students to be channelled towards a variety of career pathways including higher education.
During the meeting, the ministers also urged the Commonwealth Secretariat to continue its work on the Commonwealth Curriculum Framework for Sustainable Development, to support member states in strengthening their national frameworks and in implementing Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 4, as it aims to ensure inclusive and quality education for all and promote lifelong learning.
Brunei Darussalam has made significant progress in ensuring universal access to education. The Ministry of Education (MoE) has succeeded in providing equal education opportunities to all children and is on track to achieving 100 per cent gender equality at all levels of education.
Concluding the 20th CCEM discussion, following approval of the Nadi Declaration was a closing remark by the chairman, Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum, Attorney General and Minister for Economy, Public Enterprise, Civil Service, Communication and Education of Fiji.