Finaz Daniel

BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN
06-Sep-07

USAGE of the Arabic language should be fostered and encouraged more in order to further the understanding of the language of the al-Quran and various hadith by the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) as it is one of the same, said Minister of Religious Affairs.

Pehin Jawatan Luar Pekerma Raja Dato Seri Utama Dr Ustaz Awg Hj Mohd Zain Hj Serudin, made the remark at the launch of the National Workshop on the Preparation and Development of the Arabic Language Curriculum Material yesterday. It was held at the Tahfiz Al-Quran Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Institute.

In his speech, the minister spoke of the limited usage of the Arabic language among students and that the source of this problem stems from curriculum, teachers and methods of teaching.

In rising above these difficulties, certain matters have to be put forward and seriously taken into account, said the minister.

Pehin Dato Dr Ustaz Awg Hj Mohd Zain suggested several possible solutions in rising above this challenge, such as preparation of school books specifically for Arabic language lessons; continuous oral and written training for students to increase their skills; dependency on teachers who have the ability and skills in the field of education and who has vast knowledge in teaching Arabic language. He also pointed out that conducting workshops and courses for teachers to increase their skills and develop their capability in the teaching of the language can also be useful, apart from making use of modern technology in teaching the language.

The workshop is part of the Islamic Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (ISESCO) programme that is based in Maghribi, North Africa.

Some 40 participants are taking part in the five-day workshop, comprised of representatives the Ministry of Religious Affairs; Ministry of Education; the Seri Begawan Religious Education University College, Tahfiz Institute, secondary schools and Arab Preparatory Schools throughout the sultanate.

Among the objectives of the workshop is to train the participants in preparing the curriculum material in planning and executing; to generate their ability to train their collegues through informal training; to guide them to be able to train teachers with the latest methods and techniques of teaching the Arabic languageand increase their knowledge as well as existing skills in the fields of education and academics

Also present at the ceremony were Pehin Udana Khatib Dato Paduka Seri Setia Ustaz Awg Hj Badaruddin Pengarah Dato Paduka Hj Othman, Deputy Minister of Religious Affairs; Acting Permanent Secretary and other senior officers of the ministry.

The Brunei Times

Copyright 2007 The Brunei Times