A prayer for the shapers of Brunei
Written by Writer on Monday, October 20th, 2008
A prayer for the shapers of Brunei
Monday, October 20, 2008
Brunei Times
IS THERE such a thing as an ex-teacher? Once a person gives something of him or her self and opens up new horizons for us, he or she leaves an indelible mark. The knowledge and the wisdom (as opposed to collections of mere bits and pieces of information) that a teacher imparts to us may stay with us and be useful, or they could be forgotten in the passage of time. But the act of giving itself is what makes us beholden to our teachers for the rest of our lives.
Brunei Darussalam fully realises that teachers bear upon their shoulders among the heaviest of responsibilities. In fact, in his titah marking Teachers’ Day on Saturday, His Majesty Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Mu’izzaddin Waddaulah, the Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam, has called teachers the shapers of this nation’s youth.
His Majesty, upon explaining about the 21st Century National Education System (SPN 21) that will be established in January next year, used the term “amanah” or trust.
“The teachers become the main holders of the ‘amanah’ toward making it a success. They will be at the forefront in dealing with the challenges facing the system (which) includes major changes affecting the quality of life of the future generations,” His Majesty said.
“The major changes” will not only affect the field of education but encompass all layers and interests in society, His Majesty pointed out, a fact which necessitates efforts to improve our teachers’ professionalism.
His Majesty rightfully pointed out as well that as teachers are the main driving force in the education force, their limited number must not be taken lightly. “I have been informed that the Ministry of Education has made plans to resolve this issue. But in my opinion, we do not have any other choice but to continue hiring foreign resources in the short term,” His Majesty added.
Brunei Darussalam, however, understands the need for a longer term planning as well. “Nevertheless, measures towards increasing the number of local teachers must be planned for the long term,” His Majesty said, noting that proper plans must not be neglected, especially plans towards producing professional human resources.
Rather than merely recruiting degree holders, the plans must consider the long-term needs of the country and the age of teachers, His Majesty further said. “It is therefore appropriate to select young and professional candidates at higher levels, while anticipating them to bring success is normal if we get more foreign resources first.”
Through his titah, His Majesty has therefore delineated the criteria needed for people to shape our youth and our nation: professional and young. Throughout his titah, His Majesty has also delineated the course that the country must take in producing such teachers, and how it should be realistic by recruiting foreign resources first, before Brunei can produce enough of its own professional and vibrant teachers.
It was in the last part of the titah, however, that His Majesty summed up the best characteristic that our teachers should have, by expressing a prayer: “May our teachers be continuously under the protection and the guidance of Allah Subhanahu wa Ta’ala.”
The commemoration of the Teachers’ Day reminds us all that we owe a considerable part of what and who we are today to our teachers. It reminds us as well that the future face of the nation is being shaped today at the hands of our teachers. For this objective, we need teachers who are constantly under the protection and the guidance of Allah the Exalted.
