| Danial Norjidi |
THE Ministry of Education (MoE) has announced new national targets for primary education in Primary School Assessment (PSR) for 2016 and for secondary schools in ‘O’ Level credits by 2017, along with the introduction of National Literacy and Numeracy Standards to realise these targets.
“For 2016, continuing on towards our 2017 PSR target, our Primary Education now has a revised national target for PSR 2016 set at 79 per cent achievements in grades ‘A’ to ‘C’,” said the Minister of Education, Pehin Orang Kaya Indera Pahlawan Dato Seri Setia Awang Haji Suyoi bin Haji Osman.
“To realise this aim, we need to continue the 36 initiatives in primary schools from last year,” he said, adding that they will ensure focus on 32 identified “Red and Yellow flag” schools.
The minister said this while delivering a speech at the 5th National Education Forum at the International Convention Centre (ICC) in Berakas.
“This year we will add a new adventure to our exciting journey. We are inviting our secondary counterparts to join us on this exciting journey for the Secondary Education Initiatives,” he said. “Hence, for secondary schools, a national target has been set at 60 per cent achievement of at least five ‘O’ Level credits by 2017. In view of our plateauing achievement in the past five years, this may seem a huge challenge to some.”
He expressed his belief that, to achieve this goal, what is important is the preparation and adoption of correct strategies.
The Minister of Education, Pehin Orang Kaya Indera Pahlawan Dato Seri Setia Awang Haji Suyoi bin Haji Osman delivering his speech. – NORMAZLINA MD
To realise their targets, the minister highlighted that it is important to start supporting and helping children as early as possible, and hence this year the ministry is introducing the National Literacy and Numeracy Standards.
“These standards will help us identify students’ level of proficiency as early as Year 1, thus allowing us to provide the necessary intervention so that students will meet the expectation of each level and allow them to progress well,” he explained.
“On this note, I would like to call on primary and secondary school leaders for greater engagement to ensure cohesive transitions of our primary to secondary students and effective implementation of our strategies,” he said. “Today’s forum I hope will provide us with such a platform.”
He highlighted that while their emphasis continues to be on strengthening teaching and learning, he is calling on school leaders to deeply reflect and go beyond the curriculum. School leaders, he said, should consider the wider aspect of a child’s school life.
“The essence of success in improving the quality of our education concerns how we address our goals and tasks with relentless consistency and this involves our willingness to change,” he said. “I personally believe that we are capable to achieve the changes and goals we have set because we have an over 7,000 strong workforce who are talented and committed to putting their energy to improve our education for the young generation of Brunei Darussalam.”
Speaking on the past year, the minister said that MoE’s journey has been exciting and challenging, and at the same time has seen the emergence of high team-spirit between schools, parents and the ministry. “This, I believe, led to the improvement in PSR 2015 results.”
“Alhamdulillah, well done to all, especially to the 28 schools that have met and exceeded the 74 per cent national target. I also recognise the hard work made by the 25 schools that climbed out of the Red and Yellow status.”
He expressed his thanks and appreciation to all teachers, school leaders, the six Heads of Clusters, English, maths and science G30+ teachers as well as the PENGGERAK team for their contributions in the past year.
“Schools that are still working towards the target need to have the spirit of perseverance. There is always room for reflection and learning from others.”
“I realise the journey to reach what had been achieved was not easy. A national target was set and initiatives were put in place. With the target entrusted upon us, it was and remains pertinent for us to embrace necessary changes,” he added.
In his speech the minister also spoke on the achievements of the previous editions of the National Education Forum, and highlighted that the forums provide the MoE and participants with the platform to meet, cascade, discuss, plan and align their journey towards raising their children’s achievements.
“Today, in our 5th National Education Forum, our hopes are higher, our commitment is greater and our momentum level has been raised,” he said.
“However, I’m struck by business as usual routine that goes around in our schools today,” he continued. “There is no visible perks and I fear that before long the momentum we talk about will just disappear if you withdraw to the past or if it slides into something normal.”
“But I’m encouraged, after talking to some principals, that what we see as we go around the schools is just the surface. Beneath is the steady determination to rise to higher levels of achievement. We will support you in your endeavour,” the minister added.
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