| Azlan Othman |
AS 6,581 students sit for the Primary School Assessment (PSR) examinations, which began yesterday with Malay Islamic Monarchy (MIB) as the first paper, the Acting Minister of Education watched the exam being conducted at two schools.
Dato Seri Setia Haji Yusoff bin Haji Ismail, the Acting Minister of Education, visited the Tungku and Mata-Mata primary schools in the Brunei-Muara District.
In an interview, he told the local media that the main purpose was to observe the PSR exam in progress and also to give encouragement to all PSR candidates in Brunei.
The acting minister then explained that both visits are an endeavour by the Ministry of Education (MoE), which began early last year; and that all efforts undertaken by the ministry are in line with the aspiration of 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.
In the New Year 2015 titah, the monarch expressed hope that at least 90 per cent of pupils would score Grade C by 2017.
He went on to add that the MoE has been striving to provide primary focus on leadership in schools, teaching and learning, attendance and social factors, along with accountability and performance management.
Acting Minister of Education Dato Seri Setia Haji Yusoff bin Haji Ismail at Tungku Primary School
Tungku Primary School students sitting for the exams. – PHOTOS: AZLAN OTHMAN
Special attention is also given to examination subjects, particularly those in which pupils require extra help.
According to the acting minister, a number of schemes have already been introduced, which include ‘Learning Design’ and the evaluation of answers given by pupils, to help identify suitable efforts to help them.
He also spoke about the introduction of checkpoint tests, where pupils are familiarised with subjects needing more room for improvement.
The Acting Minister of Education concluded by expressing his thanks to the efforts of teachers and parents for initiating prayers prior to the start of PSR exams. He also noted that there were schools that hold the highly recommended ‘Doha’ prayers, for blessings from Allah the Almighty.
The tour began in Tungku Primary School, where Dato Seri Setia Haji Yusoff bin Haji Ismail, and members of his delegation were welcomed by the school’s headmistress, Hajah Norliha binti Haji Matali.
The acting minister was then taken to the examination hall to witness PSR candidates starting the exam with the reading of prayers, before he was led to the special room, where students with special needs were sitting for their PSR. A total of 100 candidates sat for their PSR at Tungku Primary School.
The acting minister and his delegation then continued their tour at Mata-Mata Primary School, where 78 candidates are sitting for the PSR.
The delegates were welcomed by Hajah Safarina binti Haji Yahya, the Senior Administrative Teacher of Mata-Mata Primary School.
During the tour, the acting minister observed the PSR examination in progress at the school hall.
This year, a total of 6,581 pupils across the country are sitting for the Primary School Assessment 2015. A total of 4,608 candidates are from government schools; 1,805 from private schools; 681 from Arabic schools; and 27 private candidates.
Also present during the visit were Permanent Secretary (Core Education) at the Ministry of Education Dr Haji Junaidi bin Haji Abdul Rahman, Deputy Permanent Secretary (Core Education) Dr Hajah Romaizah binti Haji Mohd Salleh; Director-General of Education Pengiran Hajah Sarah binti Pengiran Haji Kamaluddin, together with department heads and senior officers from the Ministry of Education.