| Azlan Othman |
SHE flew the Brunei flag high in Bangkok yesterday and stood out as an exemplary teacher with her extra-ordinary commitment to teaching students with special needs, as well as a model for educators in the Southeast Asia region.
Hajah Ratnawati binti Haji Mohammad, a Special Education teacher from Keriam Primary School in Tutong, became an icon of Brunei’s education sector as she was bestowed with the coveted Princess Maha Chakri Award.
The award presentation ceremony was held at the Centara Grand & Bangkok Convention Centre, Central World in Bangkok, Thailand in conjunction with the 60th birthday celebration of Her Royal Highness Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn, who personally presented the award to Hajah Ratnawati.
Hajah Ratnawati was among the 11 outstanding teachers from Southeast Asia who received the awards that aim to honour highly dedicated teachers from countries of the Southeast Asian Ministers of Education Organisation (SEAMEO) whose accomplishments make significant contributions to education and human development and deserve international recognition. Another objective of the awards is to support and promote development of the teaching profession and educational development.
Hajah Ratnawati received a medal, a certificate of appreciation and a US$10,000 cash prize.
File photo of Hajah Ratnawati binti Haji Mohammad, a Special Education Teacher from Keriam Primary School in Tutong interacting with a student. – COURTESY OF MINISTRY OF EDUCATION
This award is in recognition of her professional contribution in teaching children with special needs in Keriam Primary School, the Ministry of Education said in a statement.
“Tirelessly and proactively and with her creativity she has been able to accomplish the challenging task of ensuring that students are able to learn in a conducive and safe environment. Hajah Ratnawati stands out as an exemplary teacher with her extra-ordinary commitment to teaching students with special needs, as well as a model for educators,” the statement added.
In recognition of her commitment and dedication in educating special children, she was awarded the Outstanding Teacher Award instituted in conjunction with the 20th Teacher’s Day in 2010.
Princess Maha Chakri Award, a special award to give recognition to the education sector in particular, has been established to pay tributes to Her Royal Highness Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn for her contributions and outstanding achievements in the field of education and in improving the quality of life of the people, especially the less fortunate. It also aims to support and promote development of the teaching profession and educational development in Southeast Asia and strengthen international relations in the field of education.
Also attending the ceremony were Haji Ismail bin Haji Abdul Manap, Ambassador of Brunei Darussalam to Thailand and Dr Haji Junaidi bin Haji Abdul Rahman, Permanent Secretary (Core Education) at the Ministry of Education.
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