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EDUCATION
face sessions on April 11 to coincide
with the start of their third school term.
Parents and guardians were advised
to constantly monitor their children’s
health and ensure they did not
experience any symptoms such as
coughs, colds and the like before going
to school, as well as to undergo antigen
rapid testing (ART) twice a week.
To address students’ learning loss and
reduced learning gaps brought on by
school closures, the ministry initiated
a learning recovery task force. Their
objectives are to support schools
develop short, medium and long-term
learning recovery strategies; to collect,
evaluate, and exchange assessment
data; and to establish monitoring and
evaluation (M&E) tools.
The expected results are reduced
learning gaps, improved learning
outcomes,
increased
student
attendance,
effective
use
of
assessment data, and teachers with
the knowledge and skills to administer
the Learning Recovery Programme.
The necessity of establishing a data-
driven culture in schools was also
emphasised repeatedly throughout
the Learning Recovery Programme
workshop.
The introduction of the Learning
Recovery
Programme
and
an
emphasis on data-driven culture has
helped schools to gradually improve
and address issues to create a better
teaching and learning environment.
The pandemic has also enhanced
the use of digital technology which
can be incorporated into learning
approaches.
Government aid
and scholarship
opportunities
The MoE in Brunei is responsible
for
the
development
and
implementation
of
education
policies and programmes in the
country. One of the key areas of
focus for the ministry is ensuring
that all students have equal access
to education, regardless of their
socio-economic background. To
this end, the ministry offers a range
of government aid and scholarship
opportunities to support students
from disadvantaged families.
The MoE provides scholarships for
talented and qualified students to
pursue higher education through its
Government Scholarship Scheme to
study abroad, whether to pursue their
first degree, master’s, professional
or Doctor of Philosophy (PhD).
Aside
from
the
Government
Scholarship Scheme, students are
able to study abroad through the
Education Loan Assistance Scheme
(SBPP). If a recipient successfully
graduates with a First Class
(Honours), the loan is treated as a
scholarship and the recipient is not
required to repay it.
Other scholarships include the
prestigious
Sultan’s
Scholar
scholarship scheme offered by
Yayasan Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah
for the highest achievers in the
country. Bruneians also have the
opportunity to obtain a scholarship
under theMinistry of Defence to study
at the world’s top and renowned
universities. The scholarship is aimed
to develop outstanding leaders
who will contribute to the nation’s
defence and security.