MoE fine-tunes SPN21 for a better workforce

Better results: Dr Hajah Jamilah Hj Yusof (R), deputy dean of SHBIE during the dialogue session between the three UK consultants and the senior staff of SHBIE to identify ways to further improve the new education plan. Picture: Syafie Nadi
Finaz Daniel
BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN

Tuesday, January 8, 2008

THE need for proper and in-depth student assessment was the focus of the roundtable discussion between relevant government authorities and consultants from UK's Qualifications and Curricu-lum Authority (QCA) yester-day.

The consultants, here to aid in the planning of reforms of the new SPN21 (National Education System for the 21st Century), deliberated with representatives from the Economic Planning and Development Department, Research and Development Unit, Ministry of Development, Ministry of Industry and Primary Resources, Labour Department, Public Service Department and Information Department to identify improvements in the system.

The Ministry of Education's Deputy Permanent Secretary (policy and planning) Hj Mohd Daud Hj Mahmud and fellow deputy permanent secretary (core education) Apsah Hj Abdul Majid, were on hand to oversee the dialogue session and deliver the ministry's views and input on the ideas generated.

A systematic assessment of a student's educational progress can determine the right educational path he/she should take, and this suggestion came under discussion for possible inclusion in the SPN21.

To assist in student assessments, the labour department volunteered to extend the country's labour statistics to include a trace study to track students' development from school to work.

This will determine the specific areas of work that students turn to after completion of their education.

This will in turn aid in assessing areas for educational improvement and curriculum development.

The QCA consultants will be visiting several schools today and the youth development centre, to identify potential strategies in teacher-training and curriculum development for implementation in the SPN21.

Ideas generated through these dialogue sessions are hoped to lead to relevant policy formulations and educational planning of the draft document, which will wrap up on January 9 and 10, as the consultants meet with the Ministry of Education with feedback.

The Brunei Times