HIS Majesty the Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam consented to attend the celebration of the 24th Teacher’s Day and 100 Years of Formal Education in Brunei Darussalam at the International Convention Centre yesterday.

Also present were His Royal Highness Prince Haji Al-Muhtadee Billah, the Crown Prince and Senior Minister at the Prime Minister’s Office, HRH Prince ‘Abdul Malik and HRH Prince ‘Abdul Wakeel.

The Minister of Education, Pehin Orang Kaya Seri Kerna Dato Seri Setia (Dr) Hj Awg Abu Bakar bin Hj Apong, as the co-chair of the executive committee of the celebration said within the 100 years of formal education, the education system has witnessed positive changes and immense development.

He added that the wise leadership and far sightedness of the late Al-Marhum Sultan Haji Omar ‘Ali Saifuddien Sa’adul Khairi Waddien had built a strong foundation for the national education system.

The growth of Malay and English schools was strengthened with the establishment of a religious school in 1956.

Meritocracy Scholarship programme implemented by the late Al-Marhum covered all fields and was capable of producing people who can lead the development of the nation.

The minister said His Majesty with his wise, firm and committed approach continues to strengthen the education system in the country, especially after independence with the implementation of the dual language education policy and the 21st Century National Education System (SPN21), and the introduction of Compulsory Education Order 2007 and the Compulsory Religious Education Order 2014.

These two orders have become the platform for producing educated and skillful human capital in line with Vision 2035 that upholds the MIB values and the Zikir nation concept.

The minister added that the theme for this year’s Teacher’s Day – ‘Life-long Education Ascertains the Prosperity of the People’ – is relevant in facing the 21st Century which is expected to experience rapid development in the economic, political and social fields in this ever-changing, unpredictable and complex world.

The situation requires the nation to produce quality skilfull human capital capable of facing the challenges of the 21st Century and making the nation MIB-centric.

The minister said quality teachers are the pulse of the national education system.

The school, the minister said, plays a role as the place where life-long learning process starts. Teachers must make life-long learning as their practice and culture to become relevant, effective and efficient contributors to society.

To counter globalisation challenges, the Ministry of Education has made preparations by introducing seven grand initiatives in its 2012/2017 strategic plan.

Among the highlights of the celebration yesterday were the conferment of Sultan Omar ‘Ali Saifuddien Award, Meritorious Awards to four former teachers and Excellent Teacher Awards to another four teachers by the monarch.

His Majesty also consented to witness an exhibition depicting the 100 Years of Formal Education and consented to launch two books. - Borneo Bulletin (10 October 2014)