| Lyna Mohamad |
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 made a surprise visit to the Female Hostel of the Institut Tahfiz Al-Quran Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah (ITQSHHB) at Jalan Ong Sum Ping yesterday.
Upon arrival, His Majesty was greeted by Deputy Students Affairs Officer of ITQSHHB Haji Md Khairil Faisal bin Haji Abu Bakar; Head of Hostel Hajah Hasni binti Haji Md Salleh; Welfare Officer at ITQSHHB Hartini binti Haji Hassin and Hostel Supervisor Noramalina binti Haji Jumat.
Minister at the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) Dato Seri Setia Awang Haji Abdul Mokti bin Haji Mohd Daud; Permanent Secretary (Law and Welfare) at the PMO Haji Mohammed Rosli bin Haji Ibrahim and Acting Principal of ITQSHHB Pengiran Haji Amiruddin bin Pengiran Haji Damit were also present.
His Majesty first visited the classrooms at the female hostel building and then proceeded to tour the facilities provided at the hostel including the prayer hall and the dorms. After the tour, His Majesty was ushered into the Conference Room for a close dialogue session with the teaching staff and students of the institute.
Prior to leaving the hostel premises, His Majesty consented to a Junjung Ziarah from the teaching staff, officers and staff as well as students.
The unscheduled visit, part of the continuous efforts by the monarch to ensure that all strategies and initiatives relating to education are effectively implemented at education institutions in the country to the highest quality and are making positive impact on improving the quality of teaching and learning, provided His Majesty an opportunity to observe the hostel’s activities first-hand.
During the visit, the monarch took a closer look at the infrastructure of the hostel in ensuring that the building and the learning block are in good condition and the welfare of the institute’s teachers and students are well taken care of.
The female hostel is divided into four units and has 57 rooms including a living room, a prayer hall, an administration room and a students’ dining hall.
It accommodates 144 students of the institute of which 135 are secondary students and nine are ‘Aliyah Qiraat Diploma students. ITQSHHB has 178 students for the 2018 academic year (from Year 7 to Year 11 and Diploma ‘Aliyah Qiraat Year 1 to Year 3).
Students staying at the hostel are allowed to go home once a week and during public holidays.