Read Write Inc. Phonics Workshop

The 'Read Write Inc. Ruth Miskin Literacy UK Programme Training Workshop' was conducted by Ms Karen Morris, a trainer from the UK working in collaboration with the English Unit, Curriculum Development Department, Ministry of Education. The workshop was held over a period of four days starting from 16 to 19 November 2009 at Level 4 , Civil Service Institute in Kampong Rimba. The 40 participants present in the workshop comprised mainly Brunei primary school teachers from all the 4 districts. Observers from various departments in the Ministry of Education (Human Resources Department, Curriculum Development Department, Department of Schools, Department of Schools Inspectorate, etc.) and teacher educators from UBD were also invited to attend the workshop.

The main aim of the workshop was to train teachers in using phonics to help young children develop better reading and writing skills in English. This is one of the Ministry of Education's efforts in meeting the set goal of SPN21 in developing and enhancing literacy and numeracy skills among young learners in the nation. During the workshop, each participant was given a set of 'Read Write Inc.' training material packages and guidelines to carry out his/her phonics lessons in the classroom. These participants will be the RWI managers and are expected to provide RWI training in the long run.

3rd CoSMEd 2009, SEAMEO RECSAM, Penang

The 3rd International Conference on Science and Mathematics Education (CoSMEd) was held for 3 days starting from 10 to 12 November 2009 in SEAMEO RECSAM Centre in Penang, Malaysia. The theme for this year's CoSMEd is on 'Improving Science and Mathematics Literacy: Theory, Innovation and Practice'. The main aim of the conference is to bring educators and researchers together to discuss and address issues in improving science and mathematics literacy, developing children's ability to think scientifically and apply science and mathematical knowledge for personal as well as for the benefit of the community.

Participants include teachers, teacher educators and post-graduate students from seventeen countries i.e. Australia, Brunei Darussalam, Japan, Jordan, India, Indonesia, Iran, Italy, Netherlands, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Taiwan, USA and Malaysia. The participants from Brunei Darussalam come from various departments in the Ministry of Education namely, Department of Schools, Department of Schools Inspectorate, Curriculum Development Department and STEPS Centre.

The 3rd CoSMEd has given me new insights into the way teachers and educators design their learning programmes and adopt appropriate teaching approaches to enhance science and mathematics literacy. Such information is essential in the planning and development of the science and mathematics curriculum and also in planning orientation workshops for our Brunei teachers in the near future. It was indeed an enriching experience for me.

Visit to Health Promotion Centre

Today afternoon, we went to visit the Health Promotion Centre, Department of Health Services, Ministry of Health. We met some of the Health Education officers there to discuss about the activities they plan to implement for our Brunei primary science teachers. Some of the topics may include obesity prevention, diet/nutrition and promoting a healthy lifestyle.

Year 2 Science Orientation Workshop (Grp B)

This is the second day of the science briefing orientation workshop for Group B participants conducted by the Science and Agriculture Unit, Curriculum Development Department. The participants who attended the workshop are mostly primary teachers from (i) government schools of Tutong district and (ii) non-government schools.

Year 2 Science Orientation Workshop (Grp A)

Today is the first day of our science orientation workshop for Group A participants which are mostly teachers from Brunei-Muara (Brunei I, II, III & IV), Tutong, Belait and Temburong district. For this workshop, we are working closely with our Year 2 Science Pilot Teachers in conducting the science sessions which deal with the 4 main topics i.e. grouping non-living things, light, healthy body and pushes & pulls. Throughout the sessions, we encourage teachers to adopt the 'scientific enquiry' approach to teach science and provide hands-on activities in their science lessons wherever possible.