Rasidah HAB
BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN
HIS Majesty Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Mu’izzaddin Waddaulah, the Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam, has called into question Arabic school students’ proficiency in the Arabic language.
During Seri Begawan Religious Teachers University College’s (KUPU SB) sixth convocation yesterday, the monarch said authorities need to investigate complaints of Brunei’s Arabic school students unable to master the Arabic language.
“In Brunei, we have Arabic schools. I want these schools to accurately reflect its name,” the Sultan said in his titah.
His Majesty, who is also Chancellor of KUPU SB, said Brunei undoubtedly takes pride in Arabic schools as they teach various disciplines such as religious knowledge and Arabic language, while its graduates were able to further their studies locally or abroad.
“However, there have been complaints that students of an Arabic school could not master the Arabic language or in other words, they were not able to converse well in the Arabic language compared with the English language.”
He added, “If this is true, I hope that it will be investigated and rectified”.
The Sultan called on schools to make it their primary task to seek answers as to why the students are still weak in mastering Arabic.
“Does it concern the teachers? Are there insufficient teachers or unqualified teachers, or does it relate to teaching equipment such as not enough books or the books are no longer suitable with the current situation? Or maybe it concerns teaching methods that do not meet standards,” he said.
“All these must be investigated thoroughly. Weaknesses or strengths in language cannot simply be assessed solely based on marks given on examination papers. This is because the answers can simply be memorised,” the monarch added.
His Majesty went on to say that teachers, especially religious teachers, need to know they are “agents of their time” in ensuring the survival of people and the nation.
Teachers are not only tasked with delivering lessons in classrooms but also become role models to their students and the community.
“This is the true principle of education,” he said during the convocation at the International Convention Centre.
KUPU SB graduates are qualified teachers, and as qualified teachers, they possess extensive knowledge, he added.
“This knowledge is about trust. Teachers are entrusted to impart knowledge to those entitled to it — the community, and this should be maintained,” the monarch said.
His Majesty said KUPU SB must draw up guidelines for its students to become religious teachers who have strong work ethics and are competent.
The sovereign likened KUPU SB to a factory that produces high quality commodities, in which the quality must be determined by the primary objective of education, which is to bring forth graduates who are well-mannered.
“This is a basic need, whose position should not be below but placed high, consistent with the declaration made by Prophet Muhammad SAW, as narrated by Bukhari and Muslim: ‘Verily I was sent to perfect good manners of man’”, he said.
The Sultan said the importance of akhlak or morals is more pronounced in this modern era, following the advent of information communication technology (ICT), he said.
“The whole community, including children are not exempted from being exposed to ‘symptoms’ that are detrimental to one’s morals. The ‘symptoms’ are many and difficult to control. Controlling it requires strategies that are carefully thought out and implemented in an orderly manner,” he added.
His Majesty said it is important to engage the services of qualified teachers to teach moral values to children as well as guide and motivate them to become children who have faith.
Moreover, parents are also urged to provide their children with an environment that is good and conducive for Islamic learning.
The monarch said one must not forget the meaning behind the hadith which states: “Every child is born in a state of fitrah that is clean like a piece of white cloth. It is parents who are responsible in bringing them up either as a Jew or a Christian”.
His Majesty also announced the establishment of ‘Fiqh Al-Usrah Research Centre’ at KUPU SB that aims to strengthen education and family institutions.
Speaking on Brunei’s accomplishment in implementing the Compulsory Religious Education Order 2012, the Sultan said it is a “huge responsibility”.
“Alhamdulillah, we have fulfilled (this responsibility), what is left for us to do now is to make religious education prominent, progressive and well established,” he added.
The sovereign then extended his congratulations and appreciation to all members of KUPU SB for their contribution and service and hoped that Allah SWT will bestow them many rewards and that KUPU SB will become a blessed institution of higher learning.
Sumber - The Brunei Times
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