Wani Roslan
The Brunei Malay Teachers Association (PGGMB) has over 3,000 members and among them the younger generation that has the potential to lead the association to great heights.
This was said by Minister of Home Affairs Pehin Orang Kaya Seri Kerna Dato Seri Setia (Dr) Haji Awang Abu Bakar bin Haji Apong yesterday during the 70th PGGMB Representative General Meeting at the multipurpose hall of PGGMB School in Kampong Sungai Akar.
“I am confident that the teachers, comprising graduates and youth, not only have innovative ideas needed to improve the quality of education but will also implement plans to improve the welfare of PGGMB members as well as the community,” he said.
The minister added, “We are honoured to be given an opportunity to contribute to education through the provision of school services, from kindergarten to secondary school levels.”
He also called on the need for PGGMB to extend its scope to enhancing the level of professionalism among its teachers in a bid to elevate the association to a professional teachers’ federation.
“Accountability and integrity must be present in every member of the association, fuelled by a strong work ethic,” he said. “Only leaders with the integrity of an organisation in mind are able to formulate an innovative economic reform policy.”
Therefore, the minister added, PGGMB “should prioritise its members’ socio-economic status as part of the association’s founding policy of putting the welfare of its members above all else”.
Amid the increasing challenging global economic climate, Pehin Orang Kaya Seri Kerna Dato Seri Setia (Dr) Haji Awang Abu Bakar believes that the reformation of education should be top priority.
“PGGMB has long contributed to the country by providing high-quality educational services,” he said. “PGGMB schools are among the private schools revered for their academic excellence.”
However, he said, the vision of achieving great heights cannot be attained without “the involvement of its younger members”. Thus, the association has the task of identifying youth members that possess “skills in religion, education, economics and information technology”.
Earlier, PGGMB President Yusof bin Haji Mohamad, in his capacity as event chairman, said, “In less than two decades, PGGMB will be 100 years old. Therefore, the administration needs to progress towards the golden year with clear visions, strategies and missions.”
Amid the ever-evolving and increasingly challenging world, he urged PGGMB members to incorporate activities that will help the association attain the status as the top non-governmental organisation in the country.
“In 1996, there was an amendment to the PGGMB constitution to limit the duration of service as committee members to two years,” he said. “It opened up opportunities for other capable members to step up and lead the association.”
He added that having over 3,000 members allows PGGMB to utilise a wide spectrum of skills and ideas to ensure programmes and other activities implemented to fulfil the objectives of the association.
The meeting yesterday, chaired by PGGMB Permanent Chairman Haji Jamal bin Haji Kahar, saw a presentation on the latest developments of the association, annual reports covering social, economic and financial activities and proposed amendments to general term requirements.
Over 200 PGGMB members attended the meeting, including 66 delegates representing six zones in the country.