MoE sets target for improving English level

THE Ministry of Education has set a target of an annual increase of five per cent of students attaining an 'O' level credit pass in English, said Acting Permanent Secretary (Higher Education) at the Ministry of Education yesterday.

Hj Suhaila Hj Abdul Karim said this at the opening ceremony of the first English Language seminar workshop entitled "Strengthening the Teaching and Learning of English in Vocational Technical Education Institutions and Secondary Schools in Brunei Darussalam".

He said: "There is already a positive sign that our students' performance in English Language 'O' Level exam has been steadily increasing with 18 per cent in 2004 (for those who managed to obtain 'O' level credits ranging from A to C). In 2007, the percentage jumped to 25 per cent and in 2008, results showed that 28 per cent of the students obtained credit A to C."

He also touched upon the aspects of language teaching approach that needs to be emphasised — grammar, accuracy and fluency. "Students need guidance in using English grammar correctly and building their vocabulary as well as developing their communication skills in the language," he said.

He added that unless students can get a good command over the proficiency in the English language, their performance will not improve.

The Ministry of Education has taken numerous measures to address the issue of students' proficiency in English. It has been decided that this effort will focus more on the earlier stages of schooling, he said. The ministry has put in place systematic and proper reading programmes for primary students for improving English. The command over English is the key to students' understanding of many subjects in the school curriculum, the acting permanent secretary said.

"English language plays a prominent role as a medium of instruction for many subjects offered in the school curriculum throughout all schooling stages in the country," he added.

The collaborative efforts between Brunei's Seameo Voctech and Seameo Regional Language Centre in Singapore, he said would lead to optimal utilisation of resources or pooling of expertise for the benefit of the people in the Asean region, particularly Bruneians. (RSH1)

The Brunei Times