Preserving Culture Through “Rediscover Brunei Race”

Bandar Seri Begawan, Brunei Darussalam - Twenty-one teams consisting of 63 participants from Sixth Form Centres and Jerudong International School put their wits and physical endurance to the test in the Rediscover Brunei Race 2010 held at Maktab Sains Paduka Seri Begawan Sultan.

Awang Haji Suhaila bin Haji Abdul Karim, the Acting Permanent Secretary (Core Education) at the Ministry of Education officiated the event and handed out prizes to the winners. Dayang Noridah binti Abdullah, Head of International Unit, Department of Schools, Ministry of Education was the chairperson of the event.

In his speech, he said the participants of the 1st Southeast Asia Youth Leadership Programme to the United States of American, known as "Golden Kris" said that one of the goals of the programme was to produce a community action plan. "Realising the lack of awareness among the young people in appreciating the rich and unique diversity of the Brunei culture, Golden Kris decided to carry out a project called Rediscover Brunei Race."

He added that youths today face a number of challenges and influences at home, at school and in society especially in this rapidly changing world. The concern on preserving Brunei's culture and traditions among the younger generation is one of the main agendas of the Ministry of Education, especially in its mission to provide a holistic education to achieve its fullest potential.

With the theme "Culture: A Treasure for the Youth", the aim was to encourage and strengthen the youths of Brunei to appreciate their own culture. Knowing the culture can improve our own understanding of our heritage. This in turn can help boost the economy and tourism in Brunei Darussalam through community projects such as "one village, one product" project organised by the Ministry of Home affairs.

He added the event also provided an opportunity for 65 volunteers to develop leadership skills and become constructive thinkers as they shoulder the responsibility of organising the event as part of the working committee. This helps instil qualities such as ambition, strength, competitiveness, creativity, innovation and responsiveness in the future leaders of the country, which is in line with the national education system, SPN 21.

The participants of the 'Rediscover Brunei Race 2010', which follows the format of popular reality TV show "The Amazing Race" were challenged both physically and mentally with a wide range of traditional games such as kite-making, identifying traditional foods and Brunei traditional dances. The 12 challenges were aimed at instilling an appreciation for the rich and unique diversity of the Brunei culture while inculcating and promoting the old traditions and educating them on the importance of its preservation.

Group `Nanas' from Maktab Sains Paduka Seri Begawan Sultan took first place and won $500 and certificates of participation. Meanwhile, Group `Nangka' from Jerudong International School took the second place and received $300 and certificates of participation while Group `Belimbing' from Maktab Sains Paduka Seri Begawan Sultan took third place and went home with $200 and certificates of participation. The remaining teams received $50 as well as certificates of participation.

The second place winners, Group `Nangka' from Jerudong International School comprising Farah Azyan binti ali Umar Safri,19, Nur Ahlina Haziqah binti haji Hamdani,18 and Hafizah binti Haji Azhar,17, said that they were surprised to have done so well at the event. They said that this was their first time participating in such an event. "It was great, we had to fun, we had to think really hard on each challenge. The kite-making under the hot sun tested us physically and the ketupat-making needed a lot of concentration." They said they had very little preparation and were very intimidated going into the race but had lots of fun and learnt a lot from the experience.

The event was organised by Golden Kris - 2009 Southeast Asia Youth Leadership Programme (SEAYLP) Alumni in cooperation with International Unit, Department of Schools, and Ministry of Education and jointly sponsored by the Embassy of the United States of America in Brunei Darussalam with the Ministry of Education. Also present at the event were Awang Ibrahim bin Haji Abdul Rahman, Acting Director of Schools, Ministry of education, Alexander Barrasso, Charge d'Affaires of the Embassy of the United States of America in Brunei Darussalam and senior officers from the Ministry of Education.

Source: http://www.brudirect.com
Photo: http://bruneiresources.blogspot.com

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