Pre-school educators told to make lessons attractive, engaging

TUTONG

TO ENHANCE educational activities for pre-school pupils throughout the country, the Ministry of Education (MoE) have been working closely with the experts to explore further details of the programmes, while some changes are also possible to be implemented.

This was said yesterday by Acting Minister of Education Dato Seri Setia Hj Yussof Hj Ismail after his working visit to two primary schools.

The two schools, Muda Hashim Primary School and Tutong Kem Primary School in Tutong District are part of the ministry’s visits at the start of each school session.

Speaking to journalists at the Tutong Kem Primary School, this year there are 120 government primary schools providing pre-school classes with 2,889 pupils aged four to six registered throughout the country.

In Tutong District alone, he added, there are about 500 pre-school pupils.

He said that pre-school education plays an important role in inculcating personal character and discipline.

He called on the teachers to diversify their teaching methods, which should not solely depend on one pedagogy only.

He stressed the importance of making the learning activities attractive so that the pupils will be enthusiastic to learn.

“The pupils’ experiences throughout their first day of schooling will remain in their memories,’’ said Dato Hj Yussof.

His visit to the schools aim was to get a more in-depth look on the preparation and learning activities particularly in the admission of the pre-school pupils.

Upon his arrival at the Muda Hashim Primary School, the acting minister and entourage were welcomed by the school’s Headmistress Sanah@Bazlaa’ Hasanah Hj Daud, while at the Tutong Kem Primary School the entourage was welcomed by its Headmistress Hjh Siti Ajara Hj Kasim.

At both schools, the acting minister and his team of senior officers were briefed by the headmistresses about the teaching-learning activities, specifically on pre-school programmes.

During the discussion, the acting minister raised the issue pertaining to orientation programme provided for the pre-school pupils.

Introduced in 2011, the Orientation Programme for pre-school pupils provides early exposure of learning environment which was previously held last November by the ministry’s Early Childhood Care and Education Unit.

The Orientation Programme has helped the pupils to adjust themselves with their schooling, and none of the students were crying during the classes.

After the briefings, they also toured the schools and talked to the pupils in their classes.

A statement provided by the Ministry of Education said that its Early Childhood Care and Education Unit has recently introduced a volunteer programme for the 2012’s Sixth Form graduates to serve as pre-school teacher assistants in the beginning of the school session.

The acting minister said that the programme has benefited the pre-school teachers in their teaching, in addition to share their experiences to the teacher assistants in gaining their knowledge and experiences. Another programme called Staggered Entry and Registration for pre-school pupils also took place in the first week of this month at all pre-schools throughout the country.

Also part of the MoE entourage was the Permanent Secretary (Core Education) Dr Hj Junaidi Abdul Rahman, Acting Permanent Secretary (Core Education) Hj Rahim Derus, Director-General of Education Pengiran Hjh Sarah Pengiran Hj Kamaluddin, Acting Director of Schools Hj Abdul Rahman Nawi and other ministry senior officers. - Sally Piri

The Brunei Times