Minister Expresses Concern Over Students` Poor Proficiency In Malay

Bandar Seri Begawan, Brunei Darussalam - The Minister of Education expressed concern that the Malay language could be marginalised due to students' inability to speak the language fluently and skilfully.

Speaking to primary and secondary school leaders in a dialogue session yesterday, Pehin Orang Kaya Seri Lela Dato Seri Setia Hj Abdul Rahman Dato Setia Hj Mohamed Taib said: " I am concern that our future generation will not to able to master Malay language, as well as Islamic Religious Knowledge which is a also a core subject in primary and secondary schools".

He called for the school leaders to identify the causes of the students' weaknesses in mastering the two core subjects and to find the solutions.

This issue was just one among the many things that the minister had observed in his visits to schools during the first three months of this year.

Pehin Dato Hj Abdul Rahman reiterated the suggestions that he had made during the visits which touched on issues of the nation's philosophy Melayu Islam Beraja (MIB); role of school leaders; strategic planning and the need to be more 'hands-on'.

He said that school leaders should base their administration on the philosophy.

"As a leader in an educational institution, you should emphasise courtesy, noble values as well as prudence in carrying out your responsibilities."

Touching on the theme the dialogue session, Pemimpin Berkualiti Peneraju Kejayaan Sekolah, the minister stressed the important role the leaders play in determining the school's excellence.

"Even though certain responsibilities can be delegated, in strategic matters such as preparing, managing and culturing quality, leaders need to be at the front runner or the prime mover. "It is our responsibility to ensure the students' learning development and to ensure that no student is left behind in acquiring the education that they should received," he said.

The minister also suggested that continuous, systematic and effective planning needs to be done to ensure the achievements in core subjects continue to increase.

Pehin Dato Hj Abdul Rahman also raised issue on the quality of the students handwriting.

'From my observation, the quality of the students' handwriting is bad. Everybody must work together to improve and enhance it," he said.

Students, with their diverse background and competencies should receive education that is appropriate to their level, he added.

For this, Pehin Dato Hj Abdul Rahman stressed the need to be 'hands-on' on respective subjects, which according to him lack of emphasis.

He expressed hope that the Ministry of Education will take steps to explore the possibilities of using other examination providers that were recognised internationally, appropriate with the students' development level and the country's current development and needs.

He also called for the current educational programmes to be strengthened and reviewed so that they would remain sustainable and achieved the objectives.

The one-day dialogue session was attended by some 500 school leaders nationwide and featured presentations on "Lesson Study - A Framework for School-based Professional Development, Improving School Practices and Leading Innovation Through Micro-teaching". In the afternoon, a professional workshop was held for the participants to discuss in detail the importance of lesson study and diagnostic assessment.-- Courtesy of The Brunei Times (Rasidah HAB)

Source: http://www.brudirect.com
Picture: http://www.yishunjc.moe.edu.sg

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