New initiative to produce 21st century teachers: Brunei sultan

Brunei's Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah (2nd R, front) visits a special National Teachers Day exhibition in Bandar Seri Begawan, Brunei, Sept. 23, 2019. Brunei's Ministry of Education is making a human resources transformation initiative to enhance the competencies and credibility's of teachers in the country, Brunei's Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah said on Monday. (Photo by Jeffrey Wong/Xinhua)

BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN, Sept. 23 -- Brunei's Ministry of Education is making a human resources transformation initiative to enhance the competencies and credibility's of teachers in the country, Brunei's Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah said on Monday.

In a speech marking the National Teachers Day, the sultan said the new initiative will ensure teachers in the sultanate become more effective and efficient in their profession as teachers.

In relation to this, the sultan also announced the upgrading of the Human Resources Development Division at the Ministry of Education as Department of Educators Management.

"This transformation initiative is much needed, because the 21st century classroom need significant changes both for teachers and the students. The education sector needs faster response in line with its responsibility to produce generation of competent and skilled workforce," the sultan said.

He also urged teachers in the country to keep on upgrading their knowledge and skills as their lifelong learning process to be able to keep abreast with the current development and to continue educating their students effectively and prepare them for the future.

During the annual National Teachers Day celebration, the sultan presented awards to three Meritorious Teacher Award recipients, four Excellent Teacher Award recipients and 20 Special Mention Teacher's Day Appreciation Award recipients.

There was also a special exhibition during the celebration that focused on three areas in line with this year's theme - Quality Education as the Core of Learners' Excellence, including educational innovation and lifelong learning.