| Ishan Ibrahim |
TWELVE students and three accompanying teachers from Keriam Primary School, including the school’s Headmistress and head delegate Cikgu Rasiah binti Haji Md Tudin, headed off to Singapore yesterday to participate in the Joint Working Group-School Twinning Programme that will take place at the Bukit Timah Primary School from July 3-7.
She explained the programme will enhance learning and teaching experience for the delegates, and there will also be various activities such as visits to the Science Centre and the Singapore Zoological Gardens.
Cikgu Rasiah added that the students were selected for their abilities to converse well and interact skilfully, important requisites for their meeting sessions with the Singapore students.
She said this will enhance and strengthen relations between the two countries and will generate invaluable exposure for the visiting students on how their Singaporean counterparts conduct their studies.
It will be an excellent opportunity for the students to add on to their knowledge and enjoy probably a once-in-a-lifetime experience at the primary school level, said Cikgu Rasiah. She also hoped the students upon returning home can share their experiences and knowledge with their classmates, which can be beneficial for the school in general.
In return, the host, Bukit Timah Primary School, will visit Keriam Primary School next year.
Cikgu Rasiah said the airfares to Singapore were borne by the Brunei government while the accommodation during their stay in the city state will be paid for by the Ministry of Education, Singapore.
There were tears from parents and family members as they bid farewell to their young children at the Brunei International Airport.
The School Twinning Programme (STP) is a joint initiative by the Ministry of Education of Brunei and the Ministry of Education of Singapore since 2006.
The programme involves exchange of students, teachers and administrators for two cycles within a period of four years.
The goals of the STP are to strengthen the relationship at the school level between the two countries, where teachers can share ideas and experiences on educational matters relevant to current and future needs.
The programme also gives an opportunity to the students to gain knowledge and experiences from their counterparts and enhance their knowledge about Singapore through class immersion and other activities.