Brunei Darussalam's New Education System.

Beginning of this year 2008, Brunei Darussalam is introducing the Interim stage of SPN Abad 21 (Sistem Pendidikan Negara Abad 21 or 21st Century National Education System) in Menengah 1 or Year 7 to all government schools. The questions that have been inquiry by some parents is, why there should be a change in our Education System when we ourselves had went through O level or A level without any problem? What is it all about? Would will it be affecting our children's future?

Before answering that, let's understand the aims of this SPN 21 for the benefits of our children which are to face the social and economic challenges of the 21st Century and well-equiping them with the 21st century skills especially in this new technological economic decade. This is one part of the missions and visions of the Ministry of Education. So if this is well understood by parents, Education officers, teachers and students, then the next stage is to implement the system.

Obviously, the education officers and teachers have to be aware of the tough challenges are well ahead of them. But with the consent and support from His Majesty, Alhamdulillah, education officers and teachers are given professional developments, enhance skill courses, workshops and in-service training by the Ministry, so that the educators are well-prepared of this challenges.

Apart from that, support from the parents are also important. Believe me, without their full support, this system would not work, as they will have to look into the progress of their children and try to work together and co-operate with teachers on solving any weak progress by not simply finalised their solution by providing tuition only. Remember, all works and no play will make Jack a dull boy.

To conclude, we, parents, education officers, teachers and students should work together, Insya-Allah, I would personally thinks that SPN 21 would be a great success in the future.

Marking Physics exam papers

HEADACHE! Tension! Stress!??/#*@ just a little bit... Terrified to see the answers given by few students as what has been expected. Every year I have informed the students "NEVER Ever memories Physics!" But if they memories with proper understanding is much better, but otherwise, they doesn't know which theories or fact should be written down for application questions. Here with no doubt, they can easily concluded that the exam paper is difficult.

Since the new education order has reduced the restriction of Science stream for those students who are quite weak in Science and mathematics, I have doubt that they could cope through the O level and A level. A number of them have given up along the way and could end up with jobless!!! because of high expectation of Science field career. I'm not trying to trigger any alarm here but the reality is there right ahead of us.

I would prefer suggesting them (weak Science and mathematics students) to learn economy or business management... In this way, they can help to enhance our country's economy and future human resources as now the government is enthusiastic with the development of Pulau Muara Besar's project and tourism.

My main point here is that in education, we cannot force a person to learn what they really don't like but giving them a chance to learn what they interested in and enhance their skill and knowledge....

A tips for Stress Marking teachers.......He He! Bang at your own risk...The blogger is not responsible for any bang done to your lap-top or computer monitor.

PHYSICS is BORING!?!? Is IT?

Physics is FUN!

That's what I tell my Physics students in Menengah 4 at the beginning of every year. (I'm not trying to 'brainwash' the innocents' minds) Whoever they are, they should understand that first.... 'Huh!?!?', that is my first respond from them. You can just imagine how silly I looked, standing infront of the class where every pairs of eyes focusing hard on me. I had also received a feedback from a teacher once, majority of our students saying that Physics is the least favourite subject according to the survey analysis done by UBD students before on my Menengah 4 students....I felt like some bullets are striking toward me with a sentence written on it, I HATE PHYSICS!

Gosh! Why O Why???? But hey! Wait a minute..... They are just beginning to understand PHYSICS. Oh! O.k. Think positive Hafiz! (Breath in, breath out) What a survey....it is killing my mind, well almost. And making proud of someone's else subject as her subject is chosen to be the most favourite subjects. Stop here! Back to my issue...

What do I expect, the only girls school in my district... I can understand that..even my wife is not in favour of my subject that I teach. Anyway, after a year of studying, these students (happen to be in Menengah 5) have confessed to other teachers that Physics is really FUN and interesting. So it is a matter of how to make it fun basically involved in UNDERSTANDING the topic that I teach and sincerely share with the students.

So folks, how FUNs Physics is up to you. Because you can make a difference.