Mixed reaction from parents to SPN21 briefing by Ministry

Mixed reaction from parents to SPN21 briefing by Ministry


Trying to understand: Parents attending during the SPN21 talk by the Ministry of Education held at the Sekolah Menengah Puteri Hjh Masna, Lambak Kanan. Picture: BT/Zamri Zainal
HANA ROSLAN
BRUNEI-MUARA

Saturday, November 15, 2008

Some embrace the system, others are disgruntled and feel left in the dark

WITH the arrival of the National Educational System for the 21st century (SPN21) just two months away, the briefing organised by the Ministry of Education (MOE) for parents who have children in the secondary level has struck a chord both ways.

Some parents embraced the system with open arms, but others were just left disgruntled and in the dark.

A 36-year old man working in the private sector, who opted for anonymity,stated that he was in the briefing for the whole morning and was still puzzled.

"This was supposed to be a briefing on the SPN21, but I just wasted my time and came empty-handed towards the end of the day because I feel I have yet to fully understand how the system works," he said.

He said everything was badly organised and that there should have been some booklets or clear guidelines that outline the plans for the new system so the parents will at least be able to comprehend what was actually being said.

He also stated that the change was so drastic and added how it was not thought out thoroughly .

"It is making me question whether the teachers themselves are ready for this change or not. It is easy to be excited about a new system when you are up there, but when you are down here with the teachers and parents, we are the ones who are responsible for our children," he said.

He stated that the challenges will be difficult but can be ironed out if only there was more awareness and information.

A mother of five children in her late thirties working in the government sector also complained of the lack of transparency that occurred during the briefing.

"I felt that all the information was so incomplete. I have some idea of the new syllabus but the way it was presented, the whole idea, was so obscure that i hope this is not the last time as I would like to know about the system in more depth and detail," she said.

She also said that she hoped that the authorities could look into giving out samples of the SPN21 test format soon so that she will be well-informed about how the assessment system works.

"How can I help steer my child towards the right preparations when even I don't have a clue as to what kind of approach will be taken in the new syllabus?," she said.

Julaimah Jumat a mother of six, has faith in the new system and the information that has been passed on, as she knows the new innovative system will be able to help her child who she admits, is a slow learner.

She stated that the new system will be able to assess students individually and this requires parents to converse with teachers constantly in hearing about their progress.

She said that this system will be able to manifest some slow learning students that parents might not be able to be comfortable admitting to it.

"This should not matter. We want what is best for a children. Maybe it's about time to make a change,"she said.

She added that the new system will be a pinnacle of change compared to the current one and requests for more teacher-parent interaction to monitor children's progress.

A uniformed personnel by the name of Hjh Zainah Hj Mahmud and also a mother to a secondary one student said that she also embraces the changes positively as it brings a better and more different level to the standards of education.

She stated that her child will be more motivated in her academic endeavours and will definitely be working with the teachers to ensure that her child will rise up and be ready for the challenges that are to come. The Brunei Times