BRUNEI-MUARA

TEACHERS and leaders in religious schools nationwide are urged to fulfill their roles and responsibilities in accordance to the Islamic education system and be an agent of change towards excellence.

The Minister of Religious Affairs Yang Berhormat Pg Dato Seri Setia Dr Hj Mohammad Pg Hj Abd Rahman said this during the awards presentation ceremony for religious school students across the Sultanate who excelled in their academic performance for the year 2014 yesterday.

“Religious teachers must play their role and responsibilities in accordance to the existing education system,” he said in his speech.

The minister further said that teachers need to have integrity and strong moral values such as being honest, knowledgeable, dedicated and dynamic.

He added that such traits are significant towards facing challenges, obstacles and workload that differ from the past.

“The qualities and attitudes of a religious school teacher should directly give a (positive) impact on their tasks and responsibilities,” he highlighted.

The minister also said that in today’s era of info-communications technology (ICT), children are exposed to various kinds of modern gadgets that can give negative impacts toward their learning and environment.

“The rapid progress in ICT such as the use of Whatsapp, Instagram, and Facebook, among others, has exposed a lot of information (to people) and, if not controlled, could affect (their) thinking and lifestyle...”

YB Pg Dato Dr Hj Mohammad stressed that uncontrolled use of IT will shorten the student’s revision time and affect their academic performance. “Parents and teachers must not overlook this matter.” he added.

During the ceremony, the minister presented awards in the form of certificates and cash prizes to 243 students from secondary and primary religious schools nationwide.

Also present at the event were the Deputy Minister of Religious Affairs Pg Dato Paduka Hj Bahrom Pg Hj Bahar, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Religious Affairs Dato Seri Setia Hj Abdul Aziz Orang Kaya Maharaja Lela Hj Mohd Yussof and the Deputy Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Religious Affairs Hj Harun Hj Junid.

The Brunei Times