Early start in science, math for students
Sunday, May 27, 2007
THE Ministry of Education will be starting instruction of science and mathematics in English from primary level to boost competency of students in these two subjects, the Director General of Education said yesterday.
"The Ministry of Education continuously stresses the importance of science and math subjects in all levels of schooling," Dr Hj Mahali Hj Momin said during the prize and certificate presentation ceremony for the Brunei Environment, Science and Technology (Best) and the National Science and Mathematics Olympiad 2007.
Various efforts and activities have been undertaken, including research conducted by both local and foreign experts, said the director general, in an effort "to raise (our students') performance in these two subjects and increase ... (both) quantity and quality".
Dr Hj Mahali also exhorted educators and students not to limit the learning of science and mathematic subjects inside the classrooms and what are contained in the textbooks, but to feel free to explore and add knowledge by experimenting with elements in their surroundings.
ICT facilities too should be put to good use, he pointed out, adding that through the use of the Internet, local schools and students can become connected with others around the globe.
He also called for the Science, Technology and Environment Partnership Centre (Step) to carry out studies to pinpoint factors that lead to the low number of students opting to take science stream studies.
One student-directed programme to raise competency and performance in science and maths is the Olympiad Science and Mathematics competitions.
"(The Olympiads) can be a measure of their abilities, as the questions posed follow international standards," the director general pointed out.
The National Olympiads are organised by the Step Centre in cooperation with Brunei Shell Petroleum (BSP) Company. The primary-level competitions in mathematic and science subjects are open to Primary Five and Six students aged 12 and below. The Secondary School Science Olympiad (SSSO) is for Form Four aged 16 years and below while the National Mathematics Olympiad (NMO), initiated last year, is mainly for Lower Six students throughout the country aged 17 years and below.
Emerging as winner in the Primary School Science Olympiad 2007 was Lim Xin Ying from Chung Hwa Middle School.
The aspiring scientist said that she likes to do experiments "because I can discover new things which interest me". Lim also received an award for scoring top marks in the theoretical paper.
Also in the primary division, Lim Wie Ja from the Jerudong International School won the top spot in the Primary School Mathematics Olympiad 2007. The maths whiz also won the "Best in Theoretical Paper" award.
In the secondary school division, St Andrew's School student Harris bin Karim emerged as the top gold medallist in the SSSO. Two other students — Yap Wei Chin from the Pg Jaya Negara Haji Abu Bakar Secondary School and Yeoh Wei Ling from Chung Hwa Middle School — also won gold medals.
Meanwhile, citing "plenty of practice" as one of the keys to excellence in Mathematics, Chan Chung Sun from Maktab Duli Pg Muda Al-Muhtadee Billah, beat 28 other participants to grab the gold medal in the NMO.The Brunei Times
"The Ministry of Education continuously stresses the importance of science and math subjects in all levels of schooling," Dr Hj Mahali Hj Momin said during the prize and certificate presentation ceremony for the Brunei Environment, Science and Technology (Best) and the National Science and Mathematics Olympiad 2007.
Various efforts and activities have been undertaken, including research conducted by both local and foreign experts, said the director general, in an effort "to raise (our students') performance in these two subjects and increase ... (both) quantity and quality".
Dr Hj Mahali also exhorted educators and students not to limit the learning of science and mathematic subjects inside the classrooms and what are contained in the textbooks, but to feel free to explore and add knowledge by experimenting with elements in their surroundings.
ICT facilities too should be put to good use, he pointed out, adding that through the use of the Internet, local schools and students can become connected with others around the globe.
He also called for the Science, Technology and Environment Partnership Centre (Step) to carry out studies to pinpoint factors that lead to the low number of students opting to take science stream studies.
One student-directed programme to raise competency and performance in science and maths is the Olympiad Science and Mathematics competitions.
"(The Olympiads) can be a measure of their abilities, as the questions posed follow international standards," the director general pointed out.
The National Olympiads are organised by the Step Centre in cooperation with Brunei Shell Petroleum (BSP) Company. The primary-level competitions in mathematic and science subjects are open to Primary Five and Six students aged 12 and below. The Secondary School Science Olympiad (SSSO) is for Form Four aged 16 years and below while the National Mathematics Olympiad (NMO), initiated last year, is mainly for Lower Six students throughout the country aged 17 years and below.
Emerging as winner in the Primary School Science Olympiad 2007 was Lim Xin Ying from Chung Hwa Middle School.
The aspiring scientist said that she likes to do experiments "because I can discover new things which interest me". Lim also received an award for scoring top marks in the theoretical paper.
Also in the primary division, Lim Wie Ja from the Jerudong International School won the top spot in the Primary School Mathematics Olympiad 2007. The maths whiz also won the "Best in Theoretical Paper" award.
In the secondary school division, St Andrew's School student Harris bin Karim emerged as the top gold medallist in the SSSO. Two other students — Yap Wei Chin from the Pg Jaya Negara Haji Abu Bakar Secondary School and Yeoh Wei Ling from Chung Hwa Middle School — also won gold medals.
Meanwhile, citing "plenty of practice" as one of the keys to excellence in Mathematics, Chan Chung Sun from Maktab Duli Pg Muda Al-Muhtadee Billah, beat 28 other participants to grab the gold medal in the NMO.The Brunei Times
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