BY Lyna Mohamad

His Majesty Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Mu’izzaddin Waddaulah ibni Al-Marhum Sultan Haji Omar ‘Ali Saifuddien Sa’adul Khairi Waddien, Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam graced the 32nd Teacher’s Day celebration at the International Convention Centre (ICC) in Berakas on Tuesday.

Accompanying His Majesty were His Royal Highness Prince Haji Al-Muhtadee Billah, the Crown Prince and Senior Minister at the Prime Minister’s Office, His Royal Highness Prince ‘Abdul Malik and His Royal Highness Prince Mohamed Bolkiah.

Upon arrival, His Majesty was greeted by Minister of Religious Affairs Pehin Udana Khatib Dato Paduka Seri Setia Ustaz Haji Awang Badaruddin bin Pengarah Dato Paduka Haji Awang Othman and Minister of Education Datin Seri Setia Dr Hajah Romaizah binti Haji Mohd Salleh.

The ceremony began with the recitation of Surah Al-Fatihah dedicated to Al-Marhum Sultan Haji Omar ‘Ali Saifuddien Sa’adul Khairi Waddien ibni Al-Marhum Sultan Muhammad Jamalul Alam and teachers who have passed on, followed by Doa Selamat led by State Mufti Pehin Datu Seri Maharaja Dato Paduka Seri Setia (Dr) Ustaz Haji Awang Abdul Aziz bin Juned.

As part of the celebration, there was a recitation of Surah An-Nahl by Haji Mohd Hendra bin Haji Meraji, who won the Tarannum Al-Quran Johor Darul Ta’zim competition in 2012, accompanied by the translation of the verses from Universiti Islam Sultan Sharif Ali lecturer Dr Muhammad Alif bin Haji Sismat.

A video on pedagogy and the evolution of technology in formal and religious education in Brunei Darussalam from the perspective of teachers was also shown, as well as a medley comprising the 32nd Teacher’s Day theme song Guruku Harapan Negara and three other songs, Guru Bijaksana Penjana Generasi Berwawasan, Jasamu Guru and Guru Kaulah Pelita by students from Rimba Secondary School, Anggerek Desa Religious School, IQRA’ Primary School and Jigsaw Primary School.

During the event, His Majesty presented the Teacher’s Day awards to recipients from 2020, 2021 and 2022, including the Sultan Haji Omar ‘Ali Saifuddien (SHOAS) Education award, six Meritorious Teacher awards, 23 Excellent Teacher awards and 79 Special Mention Teacher’s Day Appreciation awards.

Pehin Orang Kaya Indera Pahlawan Dato Seri Setia Awang Haji Suyoi bin Haji Osman was the recipient of the SHOAS Education award.

Meritorious Teacher awards were presented to Datin Paduka Hajah Azizah binti Panglima Asgar Dato Paduka Haji Abdullah and Dr Haji Hashim bin Haji Abdul Hamid for 2020; Datin Paduka Dr Hajah Masnon binti Haji Ibrahim and Haji Md Daud @ Haji Mokti bin Taha for 2021; and Dr Haji Azahairaini bin Haji Mohd Jamil and Datin Paduka Hajah Zasia binti Sirin as this year’s recipients.

His Majesty also viewed the exhibition in conjunction with the 32nd Teacher’s Day celebration and met with teachers and students as well as performers before departing the venue.

Brunei Darussalam celebrates Teacher’s Day every September 23 as a show of appreciation to educators at all levels for their contribution to developing human capital in the country.

This year’s celebration was attended by some 6,500 teachers.

-- Courtesy of Borneo Bulletin