SPEECH

BY THE
HONOURABLE MINISTER OF EDUCATION
AT THE
RAMAH MESRA SESSION OF THE MINISTER
OF EDUCATION WITH LOWER SIX STUDENTS

CHANCELLOR HALL
UNIVERSITI BRUNEI DARUSSALAM

13 MARCH 2006

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Bismillah hirrahman nirrahim
Assalamualaikum warahmatuhlahi wabarakaatuh

Yang Mulia, Pg Dato Seri Setia Dr. Hj Mohammad bin Pg Hj Abd Rahman,
Deputy Minister of Education

Yang Mulia, Dato Paduka Sheikh Adnan bin Sheikh Mohamad,

Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Education

Yang Mulia, Vice-Chancellor, Dato Ismail Haji Duraman

Yang Mulia, Dr Haji Mahali bin Haji Momin, Acting Director of Schools

Yang Mulia, Deputy Permanent Secretaries, Director General, Special

Duties Officer, Directors, Assistant Directors, Senior Government
Officials, Principals of Sixth Form colleges and schools, Lower Six
students, Ladies and Gentlemen.

Preamble

1. First of all, allow me thank Dr Haji Mahali, Acting Director of Schools

for arranging this opportunity to address and meet this years new
intake of Lower Six Students from all four Sixth Form Colleges and
schools in the country. I was informed that there are nearly 2000 of
you in this hall today.

2. Let me begin by congratulating all of you on your achievements in

the BGCE O Level Examinations, and for having successfully
qualified to enter the Sixth Form.

3. This is another milestone to bring you closer to pursuing what you

want to achieve and another step towards being more mature and
responsible. The happy memories and the learning experiences that

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 you have had whilst at secondary school need not be forgotten but
can certainly be enhanced.

4. May I remind you that there are challenges ahead of you which need
to be faced as our nation progresses in a climate of rapid global
development. Each and every one of you is responsible for
preparing yourself for these challenges. In the planning for your
future, choose your subjects, courses and institutions of higher
learning with great care and foresight. Today academic excellence
alone is not enough to guarantee a place in tertiary education and
the job market. Understanding this, the Ministry of Education, in its
strategic map, plans to enhance learning experiences for the
wholesome development of students. This focuses not only on
developing academic excellence but on promoting skills and
character development through more independent learning,
involving the use of available resources for research and project
work.

Achievement
5. I am pleased to see that the A-level results have continued to
improve not only in quantity but also in quality over the years.
However, much remains to be done regarding improvement in
quality of passes, and in the selection of subjects appropriate for
career choices. And there is no harm in reaching for the stars and
by that I mean aiming for reputable institutions of higher learning
such as Cambridge, Harvard and Oxford, among others. As entry to
tertiary institutions becomes more competitive due to increasing
numbers, and with selection criteria possibly changing from year to
year, you have to be prepared to be better adapt to these changes.

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6. As the number of students entering the Sixth Form increases from
year to year, the Ministry of Education has planned to build more
Sixth Form centres. There will then be a total of at least four
purpose-built Sixth Form centres by 2008.

Challenges and Responses

7. Another challenge is that the job market is becoming very
competitive, and only the best man or woman gets the job. The job
market dictates job-seekers to be multi-skilled and versatile, not
only academically but also in areas such as communication,
leadership, creative and analytical thinking, public speaking and
problem solving. Given this situation, students should strive to be
well equipped to meet this challenge, and as a result be able to
compete successfully in the global job market. Unlike in the days of
your grandparents and parents when they could be employed in a
particular job for a lifetime, nowadays it is becoming quite common
for people to have to change jobs a number of times.

Future Preparation
8. In order to be placed advantageously for the global market, young
people must be proficient in a number of languages, chief of which
is the English Language, now accepted as a language of major
international importance. It is as you know a pre-requisite to enter
Sixth Form and universities. In fact, it is no longer enough to be
bilingual; in some parts of Europe, students of your age are
expected to learn three or four languages. If you want to be able to
compete on equal standing with others in the region and beyond,
then let me urge all of you here, particularly those aiming to go
overseas to English-speaking countries, to take every opportunity
to improve your communication skills in the English Language.

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9. The country needs young people who are not only academically well
qualified but also possess ethical values to meet changing needs
and trends. These youths are our hope for realising the National
Day theme of Enhancing the Nations Competitive Capability.
Nevertheless, while it is important to prepare academically for a
successful career, we must continue to develop in ourselves good
social values and concern for others, for this is very much part of
our Bruneian culture and national identity.

10. At the same time, be mindful of developing a healthy body and mind
through a healthy life style. When you are physically fit and healthy,
you will find yourself more mentally alert and able to cope with our
studies.

Conclusion
11. Before I conclude, I would like to encourage all of you to also keep
yourself informed about current issues that affect the country, the
region and the world. Expand your general knowledge. Cultivate a
good reading habit for this will be very useful for your studies and
your career. Remember the importance of self discipline both
behaviour and academic pursuit to achieve success and
excellence.

12. In conclusion, let me once again thank the Acting Director of

Schools and the principals involved for organising this event, and
providing me with this opportunity to speak face-to-face with all of
you, the hope, pride and future of our country. Work hard for
yourself, for your family, and for your country. I look forward to
hearing from you at the question-and answer session later.

Wabillahit Taufik Walhidayah

Wassalamualaikum Warahmatullahi Wabarakatuh.

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