The Digital Transformation Plan has been developed in an effort to achieve the first strategic goal, which focuses on producing future-ready students with the skills and capabilities to innovate, collaborate, live and work in an ever-changing future, and contribute as active members of society, Acting Director of the Department of Special Education at the Ministry of Education (MoE) Dr Eddy Fazlin bin Haji Amdan said.
“This plan emphasises the importance of digital skills as a key agent of change in enhancing the quality of education and student excellence. Through the integration of technology in learning, it aims to take advantage of learning opportunities beyond the classroom.
“Several initiatives and projects have been undertaken by the ministry in its aspiration to strengthen students’ future-ready skills, foster a digital culture and entrepreneurial spirit, emphasising the importance of access to quality and equitable education,” Dr Eddy Fazlin said.
He said this during a ceremony where 212 students from government and private primary and secondary schools, colleges as well as sixth form centres across the country received awards during the Outstanding Achievers’ Award Ceremony 2023 at Main Conference Hall of the International Convention Centre in Berakas.
Minister of Education Datin Seri Setia Dr Hajah Romaizah binti Haji Mohd Salleh presented the certificates and awards to students who excelled in the GCE ‘A’ Level, GCE ‘O’ Level and Primary School Assessment (PSR) Examinations.
Dr Eddy Fazlin as the chairman of the organising committee, said Brunei Darussalam is one of four countries participating in the Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA) in 2022, and have showed significant improvement in all three domains of English, mathematics and science. “The PISA data analysis also indicated that students in the Sultanate have a higher resilience percentage from Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD),” he said, adding that 80 per cent of students agreed that their teachers are always ready to help them when needed.
He added that the continuous effort and dedication of parents are evident through the findings of PISA 2022, with more parents engaged in discussions with teachers compared to the findings in 2018.
“Therefore, the students being celebrated at the ceremony are the result of an education system recognised as one of the best in ASEAN,” he said.
He added that the MoE also shows appreciation to parents and guardians for their support while recognising schools for their initiatives to achieve excellent results in public examinations.
On the other hand, to ensure that the children are future-ready, “holistic development needs to be emphasised that encompasses physical, emotional, social and intellectual aspects,” Dr Eddy Fazlin said.
“The MoE remains committed in providing quality and holistic education to students so they may lead to becoming a learned, highly skilled, and progressive nation.
“The Department of Schools, in collaboration with other departments, continuously strives to strengthen, improve, and enhance initiatives aimed at boosting students’ academic achievements, cultivating noble values, and developing of student character in line with three strategic goals of the MoE Strategic Plan 2023-2027,” he said.
Among the objectives of the Outstanding Achievers’ Award 2023 is to recognise and appreciate students who excelled in academics, especially in public examinations and provide motivation in achieving excellence in the future. – Rokiah Mahmud
