Faez Hani
BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN
Pg Dato Dr Hj Mohammad: Dual language system is still the best. Picture: BT/Saifulizam
Thursday, March 26, 2009
MoE to take steps to address any arising weaknesses and shortcomings
PAST examination results have shown that the objectives of introducing both the Malay and English languages into the education system have been met. However, qualitatively, the achievements of both languages are not on par with each other, the Deputy Minister of Education said yesterday.
During a presentation on the education system as an advocate of the Malay language as Brunei's mother tongue, Pg Dato Seri Setia Dr Hj Mohammad Pg Hj Abd Rahman said that although this was a problem in the system, the ministry still believes in the dual language system.
"Based on the success of the dual language system from studies and assessments made, the Ministry of Education has agreed to reinforce and continue implementing the dual language system by taking into consideration its known weaknesses and shortcomings and improving it from time to time," he said.
With regard to the weaknesses in the educational system, the deputy minister noted that there is a need to improve the quality of lessons and teaching, the capability of teachers, an update of the Teacher's Service Scheme (SPG) to attract skilled teachers, as well as the provision of improved infrastructure in educational institutions.
Studies found that candidates who achieved credit in 'O' level Malay language examinations increased from 50.37 per cent in 1988 to a peak of 92 per cent in 2005. After 2005, this figure declined to 83.4 per cent in 2008.
Meanwhile in the English language, the deputy minister cited that percentage of candidates who achieved credit in 'O' levels increased from 19 per cent in 2003 to 28.2 per cent last year.
He said that the students' achievements in fundamental subjects such as in English, Science and Mathematics is still not satisfactory in the primary and secondary levels.
This is reflected in the results of public exams, namely the Primary School Assessment (PSR) as well as the 'O' and 'A' Level exams, whereby these three subjects represent the basis that will enable a student to pursue higher education in all kinds of academic fields to face the challenges of globalisation and future development of the nation, he said.
"The Ministry of Education also found that among the causes of the students' weaknesses in Science and Maths is because it is only by Primary Four that they start to learn these subjects in the English medium."
Pg Dato Dr Hj Mohammad added that, because of this, they have started teaching Maths and Science in the English medium by Primary One since the start of last year.
The ministry also felt the need to keep changing their education system to fit in with current times, thus the introduction of SPN21 with the inclusion of the dual language system.
"This is because the ministry believes that the dual language system is suitable with MIB (or the Melayu Islam Beraja philosophy), fulfils the needs of the nation and will enable Bruneians to face the challenges of globalisation in the 21st century."
The deputy minister added that SPN21 stipulates that the Malay language needs to be mastered by every student.
The deputy minister was speaking at the two-day Language Seminar as part of the 48th Language Council of Brunei Darussalam, Indonesia and Malaysia (Mabbim) Conference at the Rizqun International Hotel yesterday. The dual-language education system was introduced in Brunei in 1985.
The Brunei Times
Tourism boost: A bird’s eye view of the Kampong Ayer Cultural Centre. The $3 million centre, which promises an observation tower to scan the city skyline, is expected to be open in July. Picture: BT file
