LAUNCHING CEREMONY OF NEW GUIDEBOOK FOR SCHOOL COUNSELLORS

24th January 2008, Gadong – The Launching of the new guidebook for school counsellors was held today at the Rizqun International Hotel here. Present as the representative to the Honourable Pehin Orang Kaya Seri Lela Dato Seri Setia Awang Haji Abdul Rahman bin Dato Setia Haji Mohamed Taib, Minister of Education was Pengiran Dato Seri Setia Dr. Haji Mohammad bin Pengiran Haji Abdul Rahman, Deputy Minister of Education.

Also present are the permanent secretary of Ministry of Education, deputy permanent secretaries, director-general of education, directors, senior officers as well as heads of schools and school counsellors.

The ceremony began with a recital of the doa, followed by welcoming remarks from Dayang Hjh Aishah Hj Muhd Husain Acting Director of Department of Schools. To ensure that counsellors at school can carry out their roles more effectively, the Department of Schools through its Career Guidance and Counselling Section held a workshop recently on the book's use.

Through this activity, some 50 officers and educators have received their counselling training at the certificate and diploma levels. This group also continues its programme with another workshop at the Civil Service Institute that will end today, hopefully giving them the important exposure on various concepts and practices.

The Deputy Minister, who spoke for the Minister of Education, also gave a speech before the book's launching and its presentation to school counsellors.

Towards the end, a keynote forum was presented by Prof Madya Dr Sidek Mohd Noah, Acting Dean (Academic and International) of Education Faculty at Universiti Putra Malaysia on the Scientific Approach in Career Choice.

- Courtesy of Borneo Bulletin

24th January 2008, Bandar Seri Begawan – In support of the nation’s economic growth and stability, the Ministry of Education has taken proactive measures in reviewing and refining its education policies and practices hence ensuring continual development and improvement consistent with its mission and vision.

One of the measures taken in furthering its mission and vision is the introduction of compulsory education in Brunei Darussalam which supports the 12-year education policy encased in the present National Education System. Towards this development, a new legislation cited as “Compulsory Education Order 2007” has received the Royal Assent from His Majesty the Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Negara Brunei Darussalam of the 24th November 2007. The long title of the Order is “An Order to provide for compulsory education and for matters connected therewith or incidental thereto”.

The main objective of the Order is to ensure that all children between the ages of 6 years and below 15 years who satisfy such condition for receiving primary and lower secondary education are formally registered and receiving appropriate education in schools.

Upon its commencement on the 24th November 2007, all children of compulsory school are, except those granted exemption as stated under this Order, being born on or after 1st January 2002 who are citizens of Brunei Darussalam and residing in Brunei Darussalam are required by law to be registered in and attending school as pupils. Failure to do so amounts to contravention of the “Compulsory Education Order 2007” and renders each parent of such child liable to legal action.

Issued by:
Public Relations Unit, Ministry of Education
24th January 2008