The Tutong Sixth Form Centre (PTE Tutong), through the Ministry of Education Brunei, has been selected to participate in a School Twinning Programme (STP) with Tampines Junior College (TPJC) Singapore, following a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) inked between the respective ministers of education in 2006.

Themed 'Forging a Closer Educational Relationship,' it aims to enhance educational linkages and strengthen bilateral education collaboration between Brunei and Singapore.

The visit to Singapore by PTE Tutong students, accompanied by three education officers, took place in August 2015, the first of a four-round alternating cycle of the STP between PTE Tutong and TPJC. As a reciprocal agreement, a team of TPJC students and teachers are currently in Brunei until June 3.

Awang Almasri bin Haji Sulaiman, Deputy Principal (administration) at PTE Tutong, was part of the team that visited Singapore last year.

He remarked, "TPJC students will attend morning registration and classes with their student buddies paired up based on subject combinations. This presents an opportunity for the students to share their own Brunei educational experience with the local Singaporean students."

Meanwhile, the accompanying TPJC teachers will gain an insight into the Bruneian GCE A Level educational system and style by observing classroom management practices as well as exchanging teaching and learning strategies.

The Brunei education system emphasises on holistic education in our students and to be equipped with wide ranging 21st Century skills. Therefore, the sharing of knowledge and experiences inside and outside of the classroom through carefully planned programmes and activities will enable Bruneian students to reach their fullest potential to meet the Brunei Vision 2035 aspirations and the challenges in the ever changing world.

Another STP coordinator from PTE Tutong, Charles Lim, who also went to Singapore last year, said "Selected PTE Tutong students from both Lower 6 and Upper 6 classes have been chosen as student buddies based on their excellent academic credentials in addition to active engagement in school activities, outgoing personalities and having similar subject combinations as the Singaporean students.

"The rich interaction during the short stay hopefully enables our guests to not only understand differences but appreciate fully the beautiful culture, heritage, language and common history of both Brunei and Singapore," he further remarked.

The PTE Tutong students who had the opportunity of a lifetime to experience Singapore's education system the previous year, had found the experience exhilarating and are now more all rounded in a variety of skills, one of which is greater confidence to communicate effectively and network with people.

This is the first time PTE Tutong will host a school for STP. The twinning programme will therefore further enhance the relationships between the two schools from both countries.

In addition to the activities scheduled to be held in school, the Singaporean students will also visit places of interests in the Sultanate to get an insight into the historical and cultural background of Brunei as well as the primary industries. These includes The Language and Literature Bureau, Malay Technology Museum, Oil and Gas Discovery Centre (OGDC), an agricultural farm in Lamunin, a sago factory in Ukong and lastly Virgin Coconut Oil (VCO) factory in Tanjong Maya.

The mutual understanding and acquisition of new knowledge will certainly benefit all parties and will also contribute to a better education for students of both countries.

Source:
@BRUDIRECT.COM

by BruDirect.com

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