8 attend camp on biodiversity awareness in Johor

EIGHT students from three secondary schools left for Johor, Malaysia, yesterday to attend a five-day Education and Marine Awareness Camp.

The eight students from SM Lambak Kiri, SM Pg Anak Puteri Hjh Masna and SM Sultan Sharif Ali are accompanied by two teachers, Mohidin Hj Noordin and Jauharatud Diyana Suhaimi.

According to a statement from the Ministry of Education,the students will be expected to involve in religious and cultural activities such as performing traditional dances and songs as well as traditional games. They will also take part in camping activities as well as water sports such snorkeling and kayaking.

Apart from that, the students will also have a chance to exchange experiences and ideas with their peers from Sri Lanka, South Africa and Malaysia. Among the objectives of the camp were to teach the participants about safety aspects and laws concerning the conservation of marine biology.

Hamizah Hidayah Hamidon, 15, one of the Year 10 students said she was both nervous and excited as this was her first time travelling out of the country without her family. "Its also my first time camping outside," she said.

Hamizah said that they have already practiced snorkeling at Serasa and found the experience to be fun. "I hope to experience more and practice more there," she said.

She agreed that marine biodiversity would be one of the important things they would learn there.

Diyana, one of the accompanying teachers said that they were looking forward to the cultural exchanges. "We hope to learn more about other cultures as well," she said.

Sheadded that as a biology teacher it was a great opportunity for her. "From what I have read, Johor is a great place to learn about diverse marine life," she said.

The Brunei Times