| 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 yesterday made an unscheduled round of four Arabic schools in the Brunei-Muara District.
The monarch first visited Hassanal Bolkiah Arabic Boys Secondary School (SMALHB) in Jalan Tutong, before proceeding to Raja Isteri Pengiran Anak Damit Girls Arabic Religious Secondary School (SUAMPRIPAD) and Bandar Seri Begawan Arabic Preparatory School.
During His Majesty’s visit to SMALHB, the monarch listened to the fluency of the students conversing in Arabic, and then queried several new teachers about whether they had already received confirmation on their current employment status or otherwise.
Later, His Majesty concluded the tour with a lengthy dialogue session at Raja Isteri Pengiran Anak Hajah Saleha Girls Arabic Religious Secondary School (SUAMPRIPAHS)in Kampong Katok.
During the session, several Arabic school staff expressed their grievances on the inadequate workforce, particularly during the teachers’ maternity leave, as well as at the prospective Arabic school for boys in Kampong Rimba.
A teacher said around 30 of them were given a workload of 30-32 teaching periods per week, which made it difficult for them to take maternity leave or arrange for a substitute.
Another teacher also highlighted the shortage of staff for certain subjects, which will be further heightened with the expected increase in the number of students in the academic years to come.
Also highlighted was the issue of expatriate teachers, whose contracts were not renewed, thereby leading to a shortage in academic staff.
His Majesty also made a similar unplanned visit to SUAMPRIPAHS in Kampong Katok last month to learn more about the grievances faced by the school teachers there.
Also present at the dialogue session were the Minister at the Prime Minister’s Office Dato Seri Paduka Awang Haji Abdul Mokti bin Haji Mohd Daud and the Permanent Secretary (Law and Welfare) at the Prime Minister’s Office Haji Mohammed Rosli bin Haji Ibrahim.