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Published by rozanamustafa, 2020-04-09 22:02:47

DPDR Chronicles 2019

19.03 DPDR Chronicles - FINAL

Annual Publication

DPDR Chronicles

2019

DEPARTMENT OF PLANNING,
DEVELOPMENT AND RESEARCH

TABLE OF CONTENTS

04ABOUT THE DEPARTMENT 06 RESEARCH AND PLANNING
13EDUCATION DATA
SECTION

MANAGEMENT SECTION ● Duties and Responsibilities
● Program Harapan
Duties and Responsibilities ● ● Quality Teachers, Quality Teaching (2QT)
Big Data ● ● International School Leaders
● Educator Excellence (E2)
Big Data Analytics Masterclass ● ● Other Prospective & Ongoing Projects
Tableau Training at K-Hub ●

Brunei Darussalam Education Statistics Book ●

19INTERNATIONAL 25 FINANCE AND

ASSESSMENT UNIT LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL SECTION

Duties and Responsibilities ● ● Duties and Responsibilities
PISA 2018 ● ● Muzakarah Session with LegCo

Chronological Journey of PISA ● 34 NEWS AND FEATURES
PISA 2018 Sharing Session ●
● Upcoming Involvements
with LegCo Members ● MOE Hari Raya Celebration
● Weekly Activity : Quran Recital
PISA 2021 National Project Manager ● ● Departmental Hari Raya Celebration
● Bowling Tournament
Meetings and Trainings ● A Token of Acknowledgement for Confronting

PISA Data Workshops ● Life's Predicaments
PISA Governing Board Meetings ●
● MOE’s Blood Donation Drive
29ADMINISTRATION ● Finale of Student Internship

AND HUMAN RESOURCES SECTION

Duties and Responsibilities ●
The Competency Framework ●

Professional Development ●
Professional Development: International ●

and National Courses attended

2

DEPARTMENT OF PLANNING,
DEVELOPMENT AND RESEARCH

A MESSAGE FROM OUR DIRECTOR Assalamualaikum Warahmatullahi Wabarakatuh and
DR. HAZRI HAJI KIFLE Salam Sejahtera.

Alhamdulillah, I am pleased to bring you the first issue of
the Department of Planning, Development and Research’s
“DPDR Chronicles”. Through this publication, we wish to
share with you our Department’s functions as well as keep
readers informed about our annual endeavors.

2019 saw the Department partaking in significant
enterprises such as the ‘Quality Teachers and Quality
Teaching’ programme, ‘Anak Harapan’ programme,
Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA)
main survey and integration of Tableau Software in our
operational duties among others. The past two years have
been an incredible journey whose stories will be unfolded
as you read through the pages ahead.

The Department strives to meet the Ministry of
Education’s strategic objectives and in line with that has
laid out its strategic plans which entail new initiatives and
implementation of ongoing projects. Events further down
our journey will be unveiled in future issues of the “DPDR
Chronicles”.

The “DPDR Chronicles” was initiated by our interns Dk Nur
Amal Aqilah binti Pg Hj Kamarul Zaman and Muhammad
Hambali bin Omar (from UBD), to whom I would like to
express my gratitude for their dedication and hard work. I
would also like to thank officers and staff of the
Department for their contribution in making this
publication possible.

Dr Hazri Haji Kifle
Director

3

ABOUT THE DEPARTMENT

DEPARTMENT OF PLANNING,
DEVELOPMENT AND RESEARCH

Department of Planning, Development There are five (5) sections/units under the
and Research is currently under the department namely:

jurisdiction of the Permanent (i) Research and Planning Section
Secretary (Higher Education), (ii) Education Data Management Section iii)
Ministry of Education. The department consists of International Assessment Unit
47 personnel, i.e. 32 officers and 15 support staff (iv) Finance and Legislative Council Section
members. (v) Administration and Human Resources

“Quality Education, Dynamic Nation”
- Department’s Vision

4

“To formulate educational planning and
development through evidence-based research

for decision-making”
- Department’s Mission

Officers of the Department of Planning, Development of Research during a group discussion. Photo: Anonymous

DUTIES AND REPONSIBILITIES:

 To conduct policy-oriented and evidence-based research to support planning and

development of education policies in line with Ministry of Education’s strategic direction
and Brunei Vision 2035

 To identify current educational issues that require review and further research
 To collect, analyse and publish educational data for Ministry of Education (annual

publications include the ‘Brunei Darussalam Education Statistics’ and ‘Brunei Darussalam
Educational Key Indicators Handbook’)

 To serve as Ministry of Education’s focal point with governmental and international agencies

such as the Economic Planning and Development Department (JPKE), United Nations
Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) and Organisation for Economic
Cooperation and Development (OECD) in affairs pertaining to educational research, data
and information

 As Legislative Council Secretariat for Ministry of Education

5

RESEARCH AND PLANNING
SECTION

“Without data you’re just another
person with an opinion”
-W. Edwards Deming

Overview: DUTIES AND
RESPONSIBILITIES:
 Duties and Responsibilities
1. To conduct policy-based studies to
 Improving Equity in Education: Program support policy planning and
Harapan development in alignment with the
strategic direction of the Ministry of
 Rudiments to Effective Learning: Quality Education and more holistically,
Teachers, Quality Teaching Brunei Vision 2035

 Towards “Quality Leaders”: A Case Study on 2. To identify current educational
International School Leaders issues that require further research

 Unpacking the Traits of Excellent Educators in 3. To present research findings and
Brunei Darussalam: A study on Educator recommendations to decision
Excellence (E2) makers and key stakeholders.

 Other Prospective & Ongoing Projects

6

IMPROVING EQUITY IN EDUCATION:
PROGRAM HARAPAN

Year 9, 10 & 11 students from school 2A having breakfast in the morning at the school hall. Photo: Nuratiqah

By Dk Nur Amal Aqilah binti Pg Hj Kamarul Zaman

To paint a picture, imagine the ideal “Equity means that every child gets
school, an institution that offers good what he or she needs to succeed, as op-
curriculum as well as excellent leaders
and teachers. Despite that, when we posed to everyone getting the same
scrape off the surface and dig further down thing”
this idealised school, we spiral down into an
-Alan Blankstein

issue: imbalance in students’ performance.

Giving the same curriculum and having In line with this Strategic Objective, the

excellent teachers and leaders for students may Research and Planning Section proposed

not be the only factors contributing to their ‘Program Harapan’, a programme designed to

achievements. Adding on to that, the same optimally realise the potential of each student.

triad might also not work for all students as it The programme centres on contributing factors

might not be what they need. to students’ poor performance namely low

This is where the term ‘equitable’ plays a socio-economic background, curriculum,
significant role; giving individuals what they teachers as well as school infrastructure. The
need. To quote Alan Blankstein, “Equity means programme has been endorsed by the Ministry
that every child gets what he or she needs to of Education and two initiatives under the
succeed, as opposed to everyone getting the programme have been initiated, ie, the ‘BTEC
same thing.” In the Strategic Plan of the Hybrid Programme’ and ‘Meal Programme’.

Ministry of Education, one of the three

Strategic Objectives is to “provide equal and

equitable access to higher learning and quality

education.

7

‘Program Harapan’ comprises two strategic An excerpt from an article featured in Borneo

focus areas, ie, School Readiness and Student Bulletin highlighting the ‘Meal Programme’ is

Readiness. Five Strategic Initiatives have been inserted below:

identified under School Readiness namely

Curriculum, Pedagogy, Teachers, Infrastructure

and Administration. Meanwhile, under Student By Siti Hana Binti Abdul Muiz
Readiness, the three Strategic Initiatives are Research and Planning Section
Welfare, Value and Socio-Economic Status. Department of Planning, Development and

Five secondary schools have been selected to CResearch.
undergo ‘Program Harapan’. These schools urrently, catering service vendors
were selected as ‘priority schools’ based on an are engaged to supply packed
analysis on different aspects such as meals to all schools. All meals
socio-economic status, academic performance, need to conform to student
cohort quality and teacher to student ratio. dietary requirements as recommended by
Priority was given to secondary schools that the Ministry of Health. For some secondary
achieved the lowest scores in the ‘PISA Index of schools, plans for setting up equipped
Economic, Social and Cultural Status (ESCS)’ kitchens are also now underway. It is hoped
which were derived from results in the ‘PISA that both the schools and their students will
Based Test for Schools (PBTS)’ conducted by benefit more from their own functioning
the Ministry of Education in 2016. kitchen. The Ministry believes that the meal

The Meal Programme was launched in phases, programme will not only help students learn
the first phase being a pilot study commencing better, but also improve their attendance in
on 25th June 2018 which involved one schools and boost academic performance.
secondary and eight primary schools. The This would, in turn, allow us to achieve an
second phase was initiated on 1st July 2018 inclusive and equitable education which is
involving four secondary and 14 primary also one of UNESCO’s Sustainable
schools. ‘Anak Harapan’, the third phase, Development Goals that Brunei is commit-
involved 20 primary schools and was initiated ted to.
on 1st March 2019. In total, five secondary
schools and 42 primary schools have been To date, feedback from these schools has
involved. been encouraging. ‘Program Harapan’ has
also been expanded to the ‘Anak Harapan’
programme which extends the school meal

programme to more primary schools around

the country.

The Research and Planning Section also
undertook an evaluation to probe into the
effectiveness of the BTEC Hybrid and Meal
Programmes. This evaluation took the
‘programme audit’ approach.

Students lining up to pick up a drink for breakfast. Photo:
Anonymous

8

RUDIMENTS TO EFFECTIVE

LEARNING: QUALITY TEACHERS,
QUALITY TEACHING

To produce a highly educated and Training Programme for trainee teachers
skilled population by the year 2035 is (offered by the Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah
what the nation envisages. In Institute of Education (SHBIE)) by way of
bolstering efforts undertaken by the analysing the effectiveness of the existing
Ministry of Education towards realising this modules and comparing with training modules
offered in high-achieving countries. The
very key component to Brunei Vision 2035, the objective of reviewing this module is to ensure
Research and Planning Section recognises a that the teacher candidates are well-prepared

fundamental to this goal: The provision of and professionally ready for teaching based on
Quality Teachers and Quality Teaching.
the competencies and standards required by

A research project was thus developed wherein the Ministry. The Mentoring and Induction
best practices by International School Leaders, domain comprises two separate programmes:
uncovered from the “International School the Induction Programme to impart basic
Leaders (ISL)” project (see page 10), were knowledge on policies, rules and regulations
utilised as building blocks to the initiatives. as well as an overview of the Ministry of
The research that commenced in 2018 and Education and the Mentoring Programme
entitled Quality Teacher, Quality Teaching: The which serves to provide mentoring and
Transformation of Brunei Darussalam Teacher guidance for new teachers by more
Profession (2QT) serves as a major reform to experienced and successful senior teachers.

the quality of teachers employed in the The Teacher Professional Development domain

Ministry of Education, Brunei Darussalam. It is lists several recommendations aimed at

comprised of nine domains namely Teacher m a k i n g p r o f e s s i o n a l d e v e l o p m e n t

Recruitment and Selection, Initial Teacher programmes more accessible for teachers. The
Training, Mentoring and Induction, Teacher recommendations were concocted based on

Professional Development, Teacher Appraisal, an analysis on teacher training programmes

Teacher Career Progression, Social Emotional offered by institutes such as the Brunei

Learning and School Infrastructure. School Darussalam Teacher Academy (BDTA) and

Leadership is the ninth domain but it has been Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah Institute of Education
taken over by the implementer department in (SHBIE) as well as the School-Based Committee

MoE. (SBC) and comparing them with best practices

Briefly describing some of the domains, the from other countries. The objective of the
Recruitment and Selection initiative entails a Social Emotional Learning domain is to
revamp of the teacher recruitment and encourage social emotional learning in
selection process in the Ministry. More teachers which constitutes developing
stringent criteria for selection of teachers were “self-awareness, self-control and interpersonal
proposed, which include the use of skills”. The Accelerated Social Emotional
p s y c h o m e t r i c t e s t i n g a n d t e a c h e r Learning (AcSEL) model has been proposed
apprenticeship programme to discern quality and is awaiting further buildout.

prospective teachers. The Initial Teacher

Training domain refines the Initial Teacher

9

Lastly, in School Infrastructure, a framework This research hopes to catalyse effective
characterising infrastructure and learning teaching and learning in the country. Its
space designs of the 21st century is suggested. progress will continue to be monitored and its
This domain also proposes training for 21st efficacy evaluated to ascertain its headway
century teaching and learning for teachers in towards said goal in Brunei Vision 2035.
which facilitators and participating teachers in
the ‘Model Schools’ project have been
identified. In addition, the domain also
highlights the importance for teachers to have
knowledge and skills in the designing field so
as to produce quality and effective school
buildings and learning spaces.

TOWARDS “QUALITY LEADERS”:

A CASE STUDY ON INTERNATIONAL
SCHOOL LEADERS

By Dk Nur Amal Aqilah binti Pg Hj Kamarul Zaman
A t the School Leaders Conven-
tion (2019), Yang Berhormat key competencies that must be possessed
Dato Seri Setia Awang Haji by school leaders. The Research and
Planning Section recognises the benefit

Hamzah bin Haji Sulaiman, of procuring insight from international

Minister of Education highlighted the p r o f e s s i o n a l s o n t h i s m a t t e r .

theme “Quality Leaders, Quality Consequently, a case study was

Education”. Yang Berhormat put forward conducted wherein five international

that “Quality leaders are leaders who are school leaders were interviewed to probe

innovators, goal-driven and data-driven into their best practices and strategies.

individuals.” He added that leaders They provided invaluable input on core

should lead and prompt initiatives skills to be honed and values to be

towards improving teachers and creating instilled in school leaders. The outcomes

a positive school environment. In his of this study are anticipated to contribute

speech, he emphasised the role of school to enhancing the competency framework

leaders in bringing about change in for school leaders and to serve as

education. grounds on which initiatives towards

At the core of this concern is identifying improving the quality of school leaders
are conducted.

10

UNPACKING THE TRAITS OF
EXCELLENT EDUCATORS IN

BRUNEI DARUSSALAM:

A STUDY ON EDUCATOR EXCELLENCE (E2)

By Dk Nur Amal Aqilah binti Pg Hj Kamarul Zaman

An article from Washington Post Award and Special Mention Award during the
entitled “The Real Qualities of Teacher annual Teacher’s Day Award. Data collection
Excellence”, Yatvin (2011), discusses involving the school leaders will be conducted in
the issue of measuring a teacher’s the next phase of the study.
excellence. The problem entails ambiguity in The significance of this project is to help
characterising an excellent teacher due to the associations or individuals establish standards for
subjectivity involved in the task. However, the excellence in an educator.
author concludes that establishing a common
perception of a “good” versus an “excellent”
teacher is feasible.

The project Educator Excellence (E2) aims to
achieve just that. The project was conducted as a
collaborative work between the Research and
Planning Section and a PhD candidate from
Institute of Policy Studies, Universiti Brunei
Darussalam. The crux of the study is to establish
a measure for an excellent educator which entails
prescribing specific definitions suitable within the
context of education in Brunei Darussalam.

Being one of data collection protocols, a focus Participants examining flip charts to identify commonality be-
group of various stakeholders within the Ministry tween answers from different groups as to qualities of excellent
of Education was formed. The focus group
identified qualities to an excellent teacher that teachers and leaders. Photo: Zuraifah
are recognised at ministerial level. The team held
their meeting at Level 1, Masyawarah Room at
Institute for Leadership, Innovation and
Advancement (ILIA), University Brunei
Darussalam.

Interviews with teachers who have been Members of a focus group presenting five traits of excellent
recognised for their excellence were also school leaders. Photo: Zuraifah
conducted to map out shared traits between
them. The teachers were selected based on their
achievements and awards, i.e. Teacher
Performance Appraisal (TPA), Excellent Teacher

11

OTHER PROSPECTIVE & ONGOING
PROJECTS

1. Assessment for Teachers’ Recruitment (AsTeR)
Based on findings from the Educator Excellence (E2) project, a psychometric test called Assessment
for Teacher Recruitment (AsTeR) was developed for recruitment and selection of new teachers. This
assessment has been implemented by the Department of Educators Management.

2. Psychometric Test for School Leaders
Mirroring the approach taken for the AsTeR project, a psychometric test for School Leaders will also
be developed based on findings from interviews with school leaders which is due to be conducted
next year.

3. MOE Stakeholder Engagement Publication
In January 2019, the Department of Planning, Development and Research produced a list of research
topics to be published by the Public Relations Unit, Ministry of Education with the aim of boosting
public awareness on current issues and development in the field of Education. 12 articles had been
prepared of which six had been published in a local newspaper as well as social media accounts of
the Ministry of Education.

4. The impact of Teaching for Mastery (TfM) on Student Performance
This project investigates the impact of TfM on students’ performance. TfM is one of the Literacy and
Numeracy Coaching Programmes (LNCP) that aims to transform the teaching of literacy and
numeracy across all schools in Brunei Darussalam.

5. Student Habitus Profile (HabitProfile) - Profiling the Disposition of Brunei learners:
….A Proposal
Dispositions are ‘habits of the mind’ whereby the mind tends to respond to certain situations or
contexts in certain predisposed ways. This project is to profile our students into comprehensive
habitus types. One of the outcomes of this project is a Learner Profiling Toolkit© that contains
materials and information on how to profile learners on a macro (policy), meso- (institution) and
micro- (individual learners) level. However, before this project can be conducted, the team has to
contact the potential scholars or experts in the field of this study for them to vet the proposal.

6. Preparing Generations of Brunei for the 4th Industrial Revolution (BruGen4): A Proposal.
BruGen4 is a research programme designed to prepare generations of Bruneians for the
advancements brought about by the 4th Industrial Revolution (BruGen4). It sets focus on planning
for both Core and Higher Education sectors of the Ministry of Education. The project is aimed at
forming an Education Plan For BruGen4 that sets a direction that is aligned with the country’s needs
in the era of the 4th Industrial Revolution.

12

EDUCATION DATA
MANAGEMENT SECTION

Overview: “Data is the new
 Duties and Responsibilities oil”
 Big Data
 Big Data Analytics Masterclass -Clive Humby
 Tableau Training at K-hub
 Brunei Darussalam Education Statistics Book

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

1. To provide data to regional and international organisations such as Institute for Statistics (UIS),
United Nation Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO), the Southeast Asian
Ministers of Education Organisation (SEAMEO), Commonwealth and Organisation for Economic
Co-operation and Development (OECD)

2. To collect education data from both government and private schools spanning Primary to Sixth
Form levels as well as Vocational to Higher educational levels

3. To extract data from Integrated National Education Information System (iNEIS)
4. To consolidate and validate data collected
5. To publish the annual Brunei Darussalam Education Statistics book and Brunei Darussalam

Education Indicators handbook
6. To execute the Big Data Project
7. To present data collected on a dashboard using data visualisation tools such as Tableau

13

BIG DATA: POWERING EVIDENCE-
BASED DECISION MAKING

The term Big Data refers to data that is so Education Big Data project and has embarked
large, fast or complex that it’s difficult or upon its planning stage through the Education
impossible to process using traditional Data Management Section (EDMS). The Section
methods ("Analytics, Business is currently developing an Education
Intelligence and Data Management", 2020). Big Big Data Proposal Paper along with
Data constitutes the current tech trinity along the Strategic Enterprise Performance and
with the Internet of Things (IoT) and Artificial Delivery Unit (SEPaDU), arranging to procure
Intelligence (AI). Its exploitation, called Big Data necessary infrastructure and looking to
Analytics, is a powerful tool that provides coordinate Data Analytics and Data Science
evidence driving strategic decisions and aids trainings as well as facilitate Tableau Desktop
the development of business models among trainings. In addition, the Section has
others. conducted a survey to identify the types of data
possessed by departments under Core
As the nation transforms with the advent of the Education, an essential step towards developing
Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR) and a data centre – a building block to the
governmental business practices evolve with Education Big Data project.
technological advancements, the Ministry of
Education (MOE) recognises the value of Big As the Section ventures further into this project,
Data to the education sector. This is manifested each step on a milestone will be shared with
through its recognition as one of the two readers in upcoming publications of DPDR
Cross-Cutting Enablers identified in the MOE Chronicles. The Section hopes to explore and
Strategic Plan 2018-22, along with Corporate harness the potential of Big Data for the benefit
Communication. It is aimed at generating of the Ministry and fulfill the vision pertaining
evidence through Big Data Analytics and to this initiative as set out in the MOE Strategic
Visualisation which will drive the Ministry’s Plan 2018-22.
decision-making processes.

The Department of Planning, Development and
Research has been tasked to champion the

“The goal is to turn data into
information, and information

into insight ”
- Carly Fiorina
Ex-CEO of Hewlett-Packard

14

Rohaida binti Ramli (far left) and Dk Rabilatul Adawiyah binti Pg Sallehudin (far right) from Education Data Man-
agement Section in a group photo with masterclass teacher, Mario Bojilov and Lim Chee Siong from Strategic
Enterprise Performance and Delivery Unit (SEPaDU). Photo: Dk Rabilatul

BIG DATA ANALYTICS MASTERCLASS FOR
DATA PROFESSIONALS

By Dk Nur Amal Aqilah binti Pg Hj Kamarul Zaman learn about available tools for Big Data and the
roles of Big Data primarily in facilitating
On 22nd and 23rd July 2019, three development as well as producing preventative
officers namely Johnson Lim Chee measures via Big Data analytics. In addition,
Siong from Strategic Enterprise through discussions and case studies,
Performance and Delivery Unit participants also gained insight into market
(SEPaDU), Rohaida binti Ramli and Dk Rabilatul trends for Big Data. Rohaida and Dk Rabilatul
Adawiyah binti Pg Sallehudin, both from the highlighted their main objective of utilising the
Education Data Management Section, skills and knowledge acquired in fostering
Department of Planning, Development and development in the Ministry of Education.
Research were sent for a two-day masterclass
at The Majestic Hotel, Kuala Lumpur organised Dk Rabilatul Adawiyah binti Pg Sallehudin and Rohaida binti Ramli
by FDB Events Pte Ltd. Also participating in the during a session on Big Data tools. Photo: Rabilatul
course were delegates from Malaysia and
Singapore. The first day consisted of 6 sessions
which include brief information sharing on
data collection and storage, history of Big Data
analytics, its goals, collection and sources. The
second day consisted of 5 sessions including
Big Data analytics, visualisation, machine
learning types and models, planning using Big
Data, group workshops as well as question and
answer session. Teaching the masterclass was
Mario Bojilov, a PhD candidate and expert on
Big Data, Machine Learning and Performance
Management.

The course, entitled "Big Data Analytics
Masterclass for The Data Professionals: An
In-Depth Learning into The Advanced Big Data
Analytics that Change the Business World
Today", was aimed at providing management
and analysis techniques for Big Data on
Education. Participants had the opportunity to

15

TABLEAU TRAINING AT K-HUB

ABy Dk Nur Amal Aqilah binti Pg Hj Kamarul Zaman Abdul Aziz Abdul Samat from Dynamik Technologies leading the
long with other officers from training. Photo: Anonymous
different departments,
20 officers from the
Department of Planning,
Development and Research went for a
five-day intensive training at K-Hub
from 5th through 9th September, 2019.

The training led by Abdul Aziz Abdul
Samat from Dynamik Technologies
introduced participants to features and
functions of the Tableau software. The
software offers tools for data analysis
as well as data presentation in the
form of visual charts and plots. The
software also has a minimal interface
making it easy to utilise even for new
users. It is a powerful visualisation and
analysis tool to aid officers in their
everyday tasks.

Group photo of 20 officers from the Department of Planning, Development, and Research along with other officers from different
departments and the training facilitator Awang Aziz Abdul Samat (far right) from Dynamik technologies. Photo: Anonymous

16

Facilitator Assistant from Dynamik Technologies assisting participants.
Photo: Anonymous

Participants during a training session. Photo: Anonymous

The training focussed on three Tableau products namely Tableau Prep, Tableau Desktop
and Tableau Server. Tableau Prep is a tool to prepare and transform data. It assists users
in cleaning data as well as merging and formulating data analysis. The Tableau Desktop
features interactive dashboards and helps to structure workbooks according to themes or
specific purposes. This software facilitates users in generating visual representations of
data. The Tableau Server on the other hand is a platform for data storage and
management.

“Tableau makes analysing
data fast and easy, beautiful

and useful ”

Tableau products (Desktop, Prep and Server) are transforming the approach of the
Department of Planning, Development and Research towards handling data. Tableau
makes analysing data fast and easy, beautiful and useful. The Department aims to improve
efficiency in data management with the implementation of Tableau, leading to higher
productivity and quality of results.

17

Dayang Hajah Noorernah Noorkaseh making a cover design for Education Statistics Book 2018. Photo: Anonymous

BRUNEI DARUSSALAM EDUCATION
STATISTICS BOOK

By Dk Nur Amal Aqilah binti Pg Hj Kamarul Zaman

As one of its primary duties, the Educational Data Management Section publishes the
Brunei Darussalam Education Statistics Book annually. The Education Statistics Book
entails education statistics encompassing government as well as private institutions
including those belonging to other Ministries. It also encloses brief information on
Brunei Darussalam's Education System, Sistem Pendidikian Negara Abad ke-21 (SPN21).
The publication is intended as a comprehensive resource to aid educational planning and other
various research and planning purposes as well as to provide relevant statistics to national and
international agencies such as Department of Economic Planning and Development (DEPD),
United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), Institute for Statistics
(UIS), Southeast Asian Ministers of Educational Organization (SEAMEO), Commonwealth and
Organisation for Economic Co-Operation and Development (OECD).
The Education Statistics book has five sections as follows:
1. Summary
2. Pre-Primary, Primary, Secondary and Sixth Form
3. Vocational, Technical and Higher Education
4. Educational Statistical Series
5. List of Schools

18

The publication of the Brunei Darussalam Education Statistics Book involves rigorous processes of
collecting and consolidating statistical data. The tasks are divided amongst EMDS officers, assisted
by support staff.
The initial stage involves affirmation of schools and institutions that are in operation in Brunei
Darussalam. This entails identifying new schools/institutions introduced in that year and schools/
institutions that have been permanently closed. Officers will then produce or revise an existing
template for data collection which tabulates details such as number of students, number of teachers,
ages of students and such. A memorandum will then be issued detailing objectives of the data
collection and a deadline for submission of the required documents. The documents will be stored in
a compact disc (CD) to ensure successful delivery and receipt. Upon completion of the documents,
officers will validate and consolidate the data prior to producing the final figures for publication. If a
school/institution fails to complete the task within the given deadline, support staff will assist in
contacting the focal person for a follow up. The overall content of the book will be reviewed
thoroughly to ensure the data and information included is correct and updated.

Past publications of the Brunei Darussalam Education Statistics Book. Photo: Hambali

The processes and methodology used in the data collection is reviewed every year. In order to
optimise the data collection process, EDMS will ensure to make further improvement out of any
feedbacks or issues raised by the data providers on the data collection templates. In 2015, training
had been conducted to the appointed school focal person on completing the data collection forms.
However, one of the challenges the section encountered was some of the school's focal person
change yearly which resulted the new focal person had difficulty in completing the forms without
proper guidance. Another main challenge the Section faced was the school failed to submit the data
by the given deadline which hinder and delay the next process of the data collection. Moreover, the
delay in the data collection processes also include errors made in completing the form, repeated
rechecking, templates being hacked and altered, and miscommunication. Despite of all the
challenges, EDMS become more motivated to improve further by creating solutions and alternatives
in enhancing the process involved in completing the book. The Educational Data Management
Section (EDMS) is only met with gratitude for the efforts that every stakeholder has contributed in
the publication of the book.

19

INTERNATIONAL ASSESSMENT
UNIT

Overview: DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES:

 Duties and Responsibilities To implement and conduct

 Programme for International Student Assess- international assessments endorsed by
the Ministry of Education, ie,

ment (PISA) Programme for International

Student Assessment (PISA) (2018,

 PISA 2018 Sharing Session with LegCo Members 2022) and Pisa Based Test for

 PISA 2021 National Project Manager Meetings Schools (PBTS) (2016). The unit
and Trainings ensures that guidelines and standards
from international regulatory bodies

 PISA Data Workshops are adhered to throughout all
processes involved including planning,

monitoring, briefings and trainings.

20

PROGRAMME FOR INTERNATIONAL
STUDENT ASSESSMENT (PISA) 2018

By Dk Nur Amal Aqilah binti Pg Hj Kamarul Zaman

P medium of instruction in schools determines
ISA is a programme under the
the language used in the assessment. In
accordance with this criterion, Brunei

administered the study in the English

Language, being one of only three ASEAN
countries to do so.

Organisation for Economic Co-Operation Analysis of the results concludes a good
variation in ESCS indices both intraschool and
and Development (OECD) which measures
15-year-old students’ mastery in reading, interschool which shows equal access to

mathematics and science and compares education across different socio-economic
backgrounds. Furthermore, results show that
their capabilities to their international
counterparts. OECD states that these tests male and female students are equally

are designed to gauge how well the represented in all schools, with females
performing better than males in all three
students master key subjects in order to
be prepared for real-life situations in the domains.

adult world. PISA also tests the students’

ability to apply skills from these subjects
in solving real-life problems.

Results from the assessment are also used to Participating students prior to taking the main survey of PISA
derive the index of Economic, Social and 2018. Photo: Anonymous
Cultural Status (ESCS) which allows us to
measure the level of equity in education and
the well-being of students. This helps us
evaluate our progress towards the United
Nation's Sustainable Development Goals –
SDG4 – to ensure inclusive and equitable
quality education and promote life-long
learning opportunities for all.

On 3rd December 2019, results of PISA 2018 for
the 79 participating countries and economies
were released by OECD. Amongst all
participating ASEAN countries, Brunei
Darussalam ranks 3rd in all domains. Overall,
Brunei comes in at the 60th place for Reading,
51st place for Mathematics and 50th for
Science.

2018 saw Brunei Darussalam’s participation in Observation on Student Delivery System (SDS) execution.
this large-scale international research study for Photo: Anonymous

the very first time wherein 600,000 students

representing 32 million 15-year-olds
participated. A total of 6828 Bruneian students

across 55 secondary schools took part, making

it one of the highest coverages in PISA. A
criterion for the assessment states that the

21

CHRONOLOGICAL
JOURNEY OF PISA

2018 PISA 2018 MAIN SURVEY

2019 PREPARATION FOR PISA 2021

PISA 2018 INTERNATIONAL
REPORT (DEC 2019)

PISA CYCLE 2020 PISA 2021 FIELD

TRIAL

2021 PISA 2021 MAIN SUR-
VEY

PREPARATION FOR PISA
2024

2022 PISA 2021 INTERNATIONAL

REPORT (DEC 2022)

2023 PISA 2024 FIELD

TRIAL

22

PISA 2018 SHARING SESSION WITH
LEGCO MEMBERS

T
he Department of Planning,

Development and Research held a Sharing The Permanent Secretary (Core Education) (right) and Director
of Planning, Development and Research (left) at the Sharing
Session on PISA 2018 Findings with LegCo Session. Photo: MOE IG
Members on 21st December 2019. The

Sharing Session was aimed at

disseminating information to the public
and raising awareness on the current

educational situation the country is facing.

The session proved fruitful with
discussions and exchange of ideas

between both sides.

Legislative Council members in attendance at the Sharing Session. Officers from the Department of Planning, Development and
Photo: MOE IG Research during the event. Photo: MOE IG

PISA 2018 results taken from MOE website

23

PISA 2021 NATIONAL PROJECT MANAGER
MEETINGS AND TRAININGS

By Dk Hjh Maria binti Pg Hj Damit  A one-day discussion of PISA 2018
test results.
As a prerequisite for participation in
the PISA international assessment,  Detailed information on the
country representatives are implementation, roles and tasks for
required to attend a series of PISA 2021. More information on
meetings and international trainings Mathematics as the major domain
conducted by OECD and its international and the new innovative domain,
contractors. Creative Thinking was also shared.

PISA 2021 MEETING FOR NEW NPMS  Country presentations on lessons
learnt from PISA 2018 Field Trial and
The meeting was conducted at Westat's Main Survey Implementation. The
Office in Rockville, MD, USA from 14th to officers representing the National
16th January 2019. PISA center, as a country joining
PISA for the first time and
The meeting was attended by PISA 2021 administering the assessment on
National Project Manager (NPM), Dr Hazri computers presented were invited
Kifle and Deputy National Project Manager to present. The session aimed at
(DNPM), Wan Abdul Rahman bin Wan highlighting the achievements and
Ibrahim, Director and Deputy Director of challenges faced as a new-to-PISA
Planning, Development and Research Computer-Based Assessment (CBA)
respectively. The goal of this meeting was to country.
provide a general overview of the project,
including an introduction to the OECD A follow-up second National Project Manager
Secretariat, the contractors, and a review of Meeting was held in November 2019 in
the project timeline and key activities. Bangkok, Thailand.

PISA 2021 FIRST NATIONAL PROJECT
MANAGERS (NPM) AND ONE-DAY PISA
2018 MEETING

The meeting was held at Eventhotel Name plate for the Brunei Darussalam team. Photo: Sabrina
Pyramide, Vienna, Austria from 17th to 22nd
March 2019. The meeting was attended by
Dayang Siti Hana binti Abdul Muiz @ Valerie
Tan Chai Yen and Dayang Noorul Sabrina
Binti Md Salleh as representatives for the
National Project Manager and our National
PISA Centre. Amongst the main agenda were:

24

PISA DATA WORKSHOPS

TBy Dk Hjh Maria binti Pg Hj Damit utilising the PISA 2018 international and
hree officers appointed as PISA Data national databases for the Data Analysis and
Analysts attended two PISA Data Reporting team.
Workshops held consecutively from
29th July through 2nd August 2019 The team during a PISA Data Workshop Photo: Zuriana
at ETS campus, Princeton, New Jersey. The
workshops were attended by Dayang Siti Hana
binti Abdul Muiz @ Valerie Tan Chai Yen,
Zuriana Binti Mohd Said and Ak Mohammad
Saifullah bin Pg Hj Ahmad. This training
provided basic knowledge and skills in

DATES WORKSHOP TITLE OBJECTIVES
29-31 Jul 19
PISA Data Workshop:  To familiarise participants with the data
1-2 Aug 19 Analysing PISA Data with  structure of the PISA 2018 database
PISA Data Explorer and the To review statistical complexities involved in
IEA’s IDB Analyser using the PISA database
To familiarise participants with softwares
 available to consider statistical and data
complexities of the PISA database: PISA Data
Explorer (PISA-DX) and IEA’s IDB Analyser

PISA Data Workshop: IRT and To familiarise participants with the use of IRT
Population Modeling in and population modeling in large-scale
Large-Scale Assessments assessments.

PISA GOVERNING BOARD MEETINGS

BBy Dk Hjh Maria binti Pg Hj Damit
esides the nomination of NPM, a establishment of the assessment instruments and
participating country is also expected the reporting of results (OECD).
to nominate a representative for the
PISA Governing Board (PGB). The PGB
comprises representatives from all participating

countries at senior policy levels and meets twice

a year – March/April and October/November.

Brunei's PGB, the Permanent Secretary of Core

Education, Ministry of Education and

representatives had attended a total of seven (7)

PGB meetings from the 40th PGB Meeting in

2015 to the 48th PGB Meeting in 2019. The PGB

is responsible for specifying the policy priorities 150 Participants from 68 countries attended the 46th PISA Governing
and standards for the development of indicators, Board Meeting (PGB) on 5-7th November 2018, Top Hotel, Prague.

Photo: Dayangku Hajah Maria

25

FINANCE AND LEGISLATIVE
COUNCIL SECTION

Overview:
 Duties and Responsibilities
 Muzakarah Session with LegCo

OUR DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

Finance Section: 5. To monitor the financial allocation and
expenditure of the Department

6. To process payments via the TAFIS System

1. To ensure the Department’s financial 7. To process applications for leave, education
as well as acting allowances, vehicle purchase
management is efficient and that updated
loans and government housing loans
systems are utilised

2. To prepare and examine proposals for the 8. To facilitate payments of tickets and
allowances for officers/staff attending cours-
Application of Budget Allocation every fiscal
year es, trainings, conferences, meetings or work
placements abroad
3. To prepare monthly Reports of Salaries of
Officers and Staff to be submitted to the 9. As Quotation Committee for Programme 2,
Ministry of Education
Permanent Secretary (Higher Education)

4. To prepare quarterly Expenditure Reports For

Programme 2 to be submitted to the Office
of the Permanent Secretary (Higher

Education)

26

Legislative Council Section: 7. Provision of Logistics including:

1. As Secretariat of the Ministry of Education for  Wifi

the Legislative Council  Portable printer

2. To work full time in the Council Chamber of  Stationery
the Legislative Council throughout the
 Voice recording equipment

Legislative Council session 8. To organise consultative (Muzakarah) sessions

3. To collect information from Departments/ with the Legislative Council

Divisions/Units/Institutions for use in the 9. Miscellaneous tasks:

Council Legislative Council session including:

 Anticipated Information (Info Kit)  To be informed of the agenda of the
 Anticipated Issues Legislative Council session
 Anticipated Data
 Follow-Up Issues  To list the Structure Debate of the
Conference Meeting
4. To prepare Draft Speeches for the Minister of
Education  To affirm the time of the Legislative
Council session as confirmed on the
5. To prepare a summary of the Hansard day of
document for the Ministry of Education which
includes the following tasks:  To record His Majesty’s Titah during
the Opening Ceremony of the
Legislative Council

 To arrange for any requirements
during the Meeting

 To provide a standard template for
the extracted document

 To make sound and written records of
the Legislative Council session,
particularly on issues pertaining to
education

 To obtain a softcopy of the Hansard
document for extraction

 To extract issues concerning
education into the standard template

 To distribute the summary document
to Departments/Divisions/Units/
Institutions for immediate response
where necessary

6. To prepare Budget Allocation Agenda for the
Ministry of Education in anticipation for

questions raised during the Conference

Meeting

27

MUZAKARAH SESSION WITH
LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL MEMBERS

As Legislative Council Secretariat for Yang Berhormat Dato Seri Setia Awang Haji
the Ministr y of E ducation, Hamzah bin Haji Sulaiman, the Minister of
the Department of Planning, Education was present as Chairman of the
Development and Research organised Muzakarah Session. Also present were the
a consultative or Muzakarah Session on 30th Permanent Secretary (Higher Education); Acting
Permanent Secretary (Core Education); Vice
November 2019. The Muzakarah Session is an Chancellor Universiti Brunei Darussalam (UBD);
annual event of the Department of Councils of Acting Rector Universiti Islam Sultan Sharif Ali

State, Prime Minister's Office with the relevant (UNISSA); Acting Vice Chancellor of Univeristi
ministries and agencies concerned. The event Teknologi Brunei (UTB); Acting Director General

was attended by 13 members of the Legislative of Education; Directors; Heads of Departments

Council headed by Yang Berhormat Dayang Siti and Senior Officers in the Ministry of Education.

Rozaimeriyanty binti Dato Seri Laila Jasa Awang The Muzakarah Session commenced with a
Haji Abdul Rahman.
welcoming speech by Yang Berhormat Dato Seri

Setia Awang Hj Hamzah bin Haji Sulaiman, the

Minister of Education where he shared on the

upgrading of the Human Resource Development

Division at the Ministry of Education to the

Department of Education Management which

was announced by His Majesty Sultan Haji

Hassanal Bolkiah Mu'izzaddin Waddaulah, Sultan

and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam

during the 29th Teacher's Day Celebration in

2019. This department will lead the efforts to

transform the teaching manpower by focusing in

The Minister of Education, Permanent Secretary (Higher Education) four key areas: Selection and Recruitment;
and Deputy Permanent Secretary (Core Education) during the Deployment and Re-deployment; Career
Muzakarah Session. Photo: MOE IG Development; and Retirement.

With regard to this, Yang Berhormat Minister of
Education also shared on the new recruitment
and selection criteria as well as process for new
teachers through the Immersion Program and
Apprentice Program before they are offered a
teaching post.

Officers from the Department of Planning, Development and
Research writing records of the session. Photo: MOE IG

28

Yang Berhormat Minister of Education also on several key initiatives that have been

explained some of the initiatives implemented by implemented by the Ministry of Education

the Ministry of Education throughout the year throughout the year 2019.

2019 to strengthen the delivery of education at Yang Berhormat Dayang Siti Rozaimeriyanty binti
all levels that include the development of Dato Seri Laila Jasa Awang Haji Abdul Rahman,
students learning proficiency, curriculum the head of the Legislative Council delegation
enhancement, strengthening of assessment, then delivered a welcoming speech at
provision of adequate education infrastructure the Muzakarah Session.
and ICT services for education.

In line with the Ministry of Education's mission to The Muzakarah Session then continued with a
"Deliver Holistic Education to Achieve Fullest dialogue session between the members of the
Potential for All", all strategic initiatives aim to Legislative Council and the Ministry of Education.
provide equal and equitable access to quality The dialogue was held in an amicable
education in order to produce educated and atmosphere for the sharing of ideas, issues and
highly skilled generation of Bruneians who also proposals that can certainly benefit the Ministry
strongly uphold the national philosophy of Malay of Education in its efforts to improve the quality
Islamic Monarchy (MIB). of education in the country.

The session was followed by a briefing by the
Ministry of Education in the form of a video clip

Group photo of representatives of Ministry of Education and members of the Legislative Council in attendance during the Muzakarah Session

29

ADMINISTRATION AND
HUMAN RESOURCES SECTION

Overview
 Duties and Responsibilities
 The Competency Framework
 Professional Development: Sharing Session
 Professional Development: International and

National Courses attended

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

1. To collect, review, compile and update information and documents such as terms of reference,
KPI assessments and performance appraisals of officers and staff in the Department

2. To update data on officers and staff in accordance with requests received to facilitate
coordination and planning

3. To update information on vacant posts in the department for advertisement
4. To keep inventory, ledger books and stock books updated
5. To coordinate Professional Development Sharing Sessions by officers and staff following short

courses attended as a Department initiative to enhance skills and capacity of officers and staff
6. To prepare a list of courses and estimated costs proposed throughout the next financial year for

Continuous Professional Development of officers and staff
7. To facilitate In-Service Training Scheme applications for officers and staff
8. To facilitate students undergoing an Internship Programme at the department

30

THE COMPETENCY FRAMEWORK

A competency framework is a model up-to-date information on job roles, existing
that broadly describes performance (actual) and expected skills and competencies of
excellence within an organisation. A officers and staff. The competency framework is
competency framework usually used in the career development of officers and
consists of a number of competencies that are staff, performance management and for human
applied to multiple roles and responsibilities resource planning.
within the organisation. The framework is used
for recruitment, performance management and
development discussions and for decisions about
progression.

The competency framework for the Department
of Planning, Development and Research, Ministry
of Education comprises 27 competencies, i.e. 7
Professional Competencies and 20 Technical
Competencies. Each competency has a
description of what it means in practice,

PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT

By Dk Nur Amal Aqilah binti Pg Hj Kamarul Zaman A Professional Development Sharing Session on Social Media
Governance led by Hajah Nur Atiqah (Photo: Hambali)
The Department of Planning, Development
and research promotes capacity building
through partaking in competency
development courses and workshops
across a wide range of subject matter, both locally
and abroad. This initiative pertains to a module
known as Professional Development.

To further optimise learning across the
departmental community, the Administration and
Human Resources Section organises Professional
Development Sharing Sessions wherein officers
and staff share knowledge and information gained
during a course or workshop. This initiative, which
is also linked to every individual’s KPI, is aimed at
raising awareness among the community on
real-life issues besides heeding to the
Department’s core business of sharing findings and
outcomes of their study.

31

PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT:
SHARING SESSION

Below is a list of Sharing Sessions that have been conducted by officers of the Department of
Planning, Development and Research in 2019:

 Projection Workshop – 14, 15, 16, 17 & -Emotional Learning in Schools: Examples
From British Columbia – 12/9/19
24/1/19

 Programme for International Student  Demystifying 4th Industrial Revolution (4IR) –

Assessment (PISA) 2021 Meeting for National 12/9/19

Project Managers (NPM’s) – 26/1/19  Social Media Governance: Administrative

 Social Innovation – 16/2/19 Policy Framework For Public Service –

 PISA NPM Meeting in Vienna – 15/5/19 12/9/19

 Training on Focus Group Discussion For Data  Developing International Education Through
the Global Education Programme in Russia –
Collection – 20/6/2019 12/9/19

 Auditing – 26/6/19  Civil Service Leadership Pipeline (CSLP) –

 Cuti Menggunakan GeMS – 13/7/19 17/9/19

 The Proactive Government Communication  Terasul dan Pengganti Diri – 19/9/2019

& Policy Strategies Using Social Media –  Proses Financial Regulations (FR) & General
18/7/19
Order (GO) – 19/9/19

 Processes of Data Collection – 27/7/19  Setting Up An Educational Institution:

 Research Findings in UNESCO 2019 Forum Politeknik Brunei’s Experience – 19/9/2019

for Education for Sustainable Development  Introduction to Health, Safety, Security and
(ESD) & Global Citizenship Education (GCED) Environment (HSSE) – 19/9/2019

– 8/8/19  School Drop Outs – 19/9/2019

 How to Manage A Project: The Basics –  Government Use of Social Media – 19/9/19

22/8/19

 A Place Called Home: Policy Options On

Housing For Single Mothers Living With De-
pendents in Brunei – 10/9/19

 Mental Health Symposium – 10/9/19

 Promoting Mental Well-Being Through Social

32

PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT :
INTERNATIONAL AND NATIONAL

COURSES ATTENDED

Below is a list of international and national courses officers and staff of the Department of Planning,
Development and Research have attended in 2019:

JANUARY
•Developing Database Using Microsoft Access With Visual Basic

•Bengkel Projeksi Pelajar dan Tenaga Pengajar
•Kursus Teknik Penyediaan Laporan & Kertas Kerja
•Strategic Leadership •PISA 2021 Meeting for NPM’s

FEBRUARY
•Sesi Kongisama Mengenai Surat Pemberitahuan JPA Bil: 2/2019 & 3/2019

•Data Science Talk by FUNDNEL Training Module
•Policy Monitoring & Evaluation

•President's Lecture - The Role Of Universities In Preparing the Economy For the 4th Industrial Revo-
lution

•Updating iNEIS Data

MARCH
•Al-Jenayat
•PISA 2018 Concluding Session and NPM Meeting for PISA 2021
•ZOTERO - A Handy Researcher's Companion
•A study on Brunei’s Healthcare Policies: An Islamic Governance Approach

APRIL
•Az-Zakat
•Development of National Framework for Sustainable Development Goal 4 (SDG4)
•Building on Our strengths: Leading For Excellence
•Revision and Enhancement of Labour Market Data Sources: Towards Setting Up the Labour Market
Information System in Brunei Darussalam
•PISA Governing Board (PGB) 47th Meeting

33

MAY
•Model School
•Kursus Sistem i-Learn
•Brunei Darussalam School Leadership Standards (BDSLS) Competencies Framework Stakeholder
Engagement II (Socialisation & Feedback Workshop II)

JUNE
•SEAMEO Database on Education 2018

JULY
•Lifelong Learning Course by Universiti Brunei Darussalam

•Demystifying 4IR Seminar
•UNESCO 2019 Forum for Education for Sustainable Development (ESD) & Global Citizenship

Education (GCED)
•Big Data Analytics Masterclass For Data Professionals
•Analysing PISA 2018 Data with PISA Data Explorer & the International Association for the
Evaluation of Educational Achievement’s (IEA) International Database Analyser (IDB Analyser) and
Item Response Theory (IRT) & Population Modelling in Large-Scale Assessments Training

SEPTEMBER
•Tableau Course
•PISA Governing Board (PGB) 48th Meeting

OCTOBER
Introduction to Cost-Benefit Analysis in Policy Making

Bengkel Pembantu Pejabat
Learning Needs Analysis (LNA) Bagi Kementerian dan Jabatan-Jabatan di Bawahnya

Data Analytics for Public Policy
Perkhidmatan Pelanggan yang Berkualiti - Frontliners
Unleashing the Power of Data and Evidence For Equity And Equality in Education in ASEAN
Majlis Persidangan Hari Guru sempena Sambutan Hari Guru yang ke-29 tahun 2019, Kemen-

terian Pendidikan
Komunikasi Berkesan
Certified Key Performance Index (KPI) Professional & Practitioner
5th Asia Pacific Meeting on Education 2030 (APMED 2030)

NOVEMBER
PISA 2021 & 2nd National Project Manager Meeting

Corporate Communication

34

NEWS AND FEATURES

Overview:
 Upcoming Involvements
 Ministerial Hari Raya Celebration
 Weekly Routine: Quran Recital
 Departmental Hari Raya Celebration
 Bowling tournament: A Striking Experience
 A Token of Acknowledgement For Confronting

Life's Predicaments
 MOE Blood Donation Drive: Be Someone’s Hero

and Lifesaver
 The Finale of Student Internship - August 2019

Intake

35

UPCOMING INVOLVEMENTS

The Department Planning, Development and Research will be involved in organising and/or the
preparation stage of two (2) upcoming events of the Ministry of Education in 2020:

1. Majlis Sambutan Maulud Nabi Muhammad Sallallahu ‘Alaihi Wassalam or
Commemoration Event of Prophet Muhammad’s Birthday 1442H — Co-organiser with the
Department of Schools

2. Teachers’ Day Celebration 2020 — Committee for Programme Booklet

MINISTRY OF EDUCATION

T HARI R AY A CELEBR ATIO Nhe Department of Planning, Development and Research along with the Scholarship
Division and the Brunei Darussalam Technical and Vocational Education Council (BDTVEC)
co-organised a Ramah Mesra Hari Raya Aidilfitri 1440H/2019M event for the Ministry of
Education on 21st Syawal 1440H corresponding to 25th June 2019M. The Hari Raya Aidilfitri
event is an annual event of the Ministry of Education to mark the end of the holy month of
Ramadhan and celebrate the festive Eid al-Fitr. It also serves to foster closer ties and cultivate a
sense of belonging amongst the community.

The event held at Rimba II Secondary School saw festive lights and decor adorning the venue,
enlivening the jovial atmosphere. Guests were welcomed by 17 booths serving an array of food and
beverages.

Present at the event was Yang Berhormat Dato Seri Setia Awang Haji Hamzah bin Haji Sulaiman,
Minister of Education as the guest of honour. Also present were Yang Mulia Datin Seri Paduka Dr.
Hajah Romaizah binti Haji Mohd Salleh, Deputy Education Minister, Permanent Secretaries,
Vice-Chancellors, Rectors, Deputy Permanent Secretaries, Acting Director General, Heads of
Department, government and private school leaders, officers as well as staff under the Ministry of
Education.

The ceremony commenced with the recital of Surah al-Fatihah and Doa Selamat followed by a
friendly visit by the Honorable Minister of Education to each booth.

YB Dato Hamzah visiting one of the booths. Photo: MOE website The Minister, Deputy Minister and Permanent Secretaries of
Education at the Hari Raya event. Photo: MOE website

36

STRENGTHENING RELIGIOUS VALUES
WITH WEEKLY QURAN RECITAL

TBy Dk Nur Amal Aqilah binti Pg Hj Kamarul Zaman
he Department of Planning, simultaneously read a Malay translation. Leena
Development and Research recognises Mohamad (2016), states that the Quran "guides,
the importance of upholding religious heals, puts standards, reminds, and socially
practices and incorporating them into changes." The 30-minute routine acts as a
our daily lives. In line with this view, the breathing space and a medium to strengthen
Department holds a weekly Quran recital every faith in the Almighty in the midst of a
Thursday from 8:00am to 8:30am. Male and quick-paced schedule that officers encounter
female groups conduct their sessions separately daily.
wherein the male group is led by Awangku
Mohammad Saifullah bin Pengiran Haji Ahmad
and the female group by Hajah Noor
Khadizah bin Haji Abu Naim. The groups will then
gather for the Department’s weekly Muzakarah
session.

The weekly activity places emphasis on Quran recital for the male group led by Awangku Mohammad Saifullah
understanding the meaning behind the Ayats bin Pengiran Haji Ahmad at Bilik Melati. Photo: Hambali
recited by encouraging participants to

DPDR DEPARTMENT HARI RAYA CELEBRATION

TBy Dk Nur Amal Aqilah binti Pg Hj Kamarul Zaman festive lights and decorations prepared by
he Department of Planning, support staff. The Department’s personnel
Development and Research organised contributed in providing an array of entrées.
a Hari Raya Aidil Fitri Celebration Event Lucky draw and gift exchange events were also
on 20th June 2019. The celebration was carried out to enliven the celebration of Syawal.
initiated with the recitation of doa led by The celebration was also in conjunction with a
Awangku Mohammad Saifullah bin Pengiran Haji farewell and appreciation event for staff
Ahmad. member Dayang Hajah Halimah binti Fauzi who
contributed in providing lucky draw gifts.
Embellishing the hallway and rooms were

Group photo with YB Dato Hamzah during the Hari Raya Aidil Fitri Officers and staff at the event . Photo: Hajah Farizah
Celebration. Photo: Zuraifah

37

BOWLING TOURNAMENT: A STRIKING EXPERIENCE

First Team from the left to right are Dayangku Nurul 'Izzati, By Dk Nur Amal Aqilah binti Pg Hj Kamarul Zaman
Dayangku Rabilatul Adawiyah, Dayang Zuriana and Dayangku
Nurafidah competing for Kejohanan Tenpin Bowling in con- Two teams from the Department of
junction of 29th Teacher Day celebration in 2019 Female cate- Planning, Development and Research
gories. Photo: Anonymous participated in a bowling tournament
organised by the Ministry of
Education on 27th and 28th September 2019.
The first team consisted of Dayangku Nurafidah
binti Pengiran Haji Mohd Kassim, Zuriana binti
Mohd Said, Dayangku Nurul 'Izzati binti
Pengiran Omar and Dayangku Rabilatul
Adawiyah binti Pengiran Sallehudin. The
second team comprised Hajah Dayang
Noratiqah binti Awang Karim, Dayang Hjh
Noorhadizah binti Haji Sulaiman, Dayang Hajah
Noorernah binti Awang Haji Noorkaseh and
Dayang Suliza binti Markineh.

Team 1, proclaiming themselves as Projection
Bowler 1 ranked 32nd out of 34 teams whereas
team 2 who named themselves Projection
Bowler 2 ranked 28th. Dayang Hajah Noorernah
binti Awang Haji Noorkaseh also managed to
place in the top 50 in the individual ranking.

She expressed her wish to build a stronger
team in the next tournament to achieve a
better rank.

Second Team from the left to right are Dayang Suliza, Dayang
Hajah Noorernah Noorkaseh, Dayang Noratiqah, Dayang Hjh
Noorhadizah competing for Kejohanan Tenpin Bowling in con-
junction of 29th Teacher Day celebration in 2019 Female catego-
ries. Photo: Atiqah

“Exercise in almost any form can act as a stress reliev-
er. Being active can boost your feel-good endorphins

and distract you from daily worries”
- Mayo Clinic Staff

38

‫َف ِإ َّن َم َع ا ْل ُع ْس ِر ُي ْس ًرا‬
"For indeed, with hardship [will be]

ease."

- 94:5

Dayang Hajah Farizah binti Haji Mokti, receiving gift from the
department which handed by Dr Hazri bin Haji Kifle

A TOKEN OF ACKNOWLEDGEMENT FOR
CONFRONTING LIFE'S PREDICAMENTS

By Dk Nur Amal Aqilah binti Pg Hj Kamarul Zaman

The Department of Planning,
Development and Research
presented a token of recognition to
three members of the Department
on 3rd October 2019. The initiative was
conducted to appreciate three members for
the hurdles they went through this year.

Receiving the gifts were Dayang Hajah Farizah Dr Siti Noor Naasirah Syahiirah binti Abdullah Teo receiving a
binti Haji Mokti, the Department's clerk, Dr Siti gift from the Department represented by Dr Hazri bin Haji Kifle.
Noor Naasirah Syahiirah binti Abdullah Teo,
Head of Research and Planning Section and Dr
Awang Hazri bin Haji Kifle, Director of the
Department.

The gesture exhibited the Department's sense
of community and togetherness and acted as
an incentive to show that the Department's
members are not alone in facing their trials
and tribulations.

Dr Hazri bin Haji Kifle receiving a token of recognition from Dr Haji
Ashri bin Haji Ahmad as a representative of the Department.

39

BE SOMEONE’S HERO AND LIFESAVER

Some of the Department’s officers and staff participating in the OBy Dk Nur Amal Aqilah binti Pg Hj Kamarul Zaman
blood donation event. Photo: Anonymous n 23rd November 2019, officers
and staff from the Department of
Planning, Development and
Research participated in a blood
donation drive organised by the Department of
Co-Curriculum Education, Ministry of
Education in conjunction with Teacher's Day
2019. The initiative conducted twice a year aims
to contribute to the blood bank of Raja Isteri
Pengiran Anak Saleha (RIPAS) Hospital, Ministry
of Health. This year, the event was held at the
Main Hall of the Department of Curriculum
Development located in the new building of
Ministry of Education.

FINALE OF STUDENT INTERNSHIP:

AUGUST 2019 INTAKE By Dk Nur Amal Aqilah binti Pg Hj Kamarul Zaman

On 6th November 2019, two interns
from Universiti Brunei Darussalam
concluded their Internship
Programme with a presentation.
The interns underwent placement
at the Department of Planning, Development and
Research for 14 weeks, from 5th August to 7th
November 2019.

In their presentation, they introduced the module
DW: 3001, Internship Programme to officers and
staff. The Internship Programme aims to help
students understand and build on their
The interns presenting their experiences throughout their 14 weeks experiences working in a real professional
working in the Department Photo : Rasyhid working environment.

The interns’ expectations were to gain career knowledge, apply existing skills and develop new
ones. Whilst being here, they were exposed to and involved in major projects such as Career
Progression, Teaching for Mastery and their own core project, producing the first edition of
“DPDR Chronicles” for the Department. The internship also served as an opportunity for them to
expand their network. Meeting various individuals with different backgrounds helped unveil a
variety of ideas and knowledge according to the interns. It is hoped that their involvement here
will be beneficial for their future career.

40

Cover page photo from Public Relations Unit

ADDRESS: EDITORIAL
Dk Nur Amal Aqilah binti Pg Hj Kamarul Zaman—UBD Intern
2nd & 3rd Floor
Block C, Ministry of Education DESIGN
Old Airport Road Muhammad Hambali bin Omar—UBD Intern
Berakas BB3510
Brunei Darussalam PHOTO CONTRIBUTOR
Awang Abdul Rashyid bin Abdul Latif
CONTACT: Dr Dyg Siti Noor Naasirah Syahirah binti Abdullah Teo
Dk Hajah Maria binti Pg Hj Damit
Tel : +673 2382126/ +673 2381757 Dk Rabilatul Adawiyah binti Pg Sallehudin
Fax : +673 2380115 Hajah Dayang Atiqah binti Karim
Suliza Markineh
EMAIL ADDRESS: Zuraifah binti Haji Mohd Tahir
[email protected] Dayang Hajah Farizah binti Haji Mokti

CONTENT CONTRIBUTOR
Officers and staff from all sections and units

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