Best Performing Schools in Brunei

T H E

www.theknowledgereview.com TM

N O W L E DEducation.

G E RInnovation.

E V I Success EW

Everyone Excels

EDITOR’S NOTE

Brunei A LAND OF ENDLESS EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES

N

egara Brunei Darussalam, or simply known as Brunei – a small equatorial country in southeast Asia, has been attracting the world for many years.

Decorated with the lush green rainforests, the country is labeled as ‘Abode of Peace’. Brunei is mostly popular for its oil and natural gas trade, and it carries the aura of one of the wealthiest economies in the region.

Apart from this, the country is also gaining attention for its world-class education system. Studying in Brunei is considered a leisure opportunity due to its picturesque landscapes. Brunei has an Islamic heritage, and the country is governed by a monarchy. As a result, the official educational ideology was primarily centered on devotion towards the Sultan. Brunei's previous reliance on Britain, however, has resulted in the country's educational curricula and institutions being influenced by the British educational system.

Brunei's educational system is relatively new, as formal education began in the last century. The education system was reorganized in 1974 due to an official governmental commission report aimed at managing educational policy and distributing educational resources to all learning institutions.

In Brunei, the International Baccalaureate (IB) curriculum is taught in most schools. Previously, Brunei's schools were only for boys. However, the regulations have evolved throughout time, and the government now allows girls to attend school.

Brunei's educational system is mostly divided into two categories: public and private schools. There are also a handful of missionary schools that cater to Catholics and Anglicans, as well as Islamic schools, among private schools. While most schools teach in English, certain schools prefer to teach in Arabic or Chinese. However, students are required to learn the official language of Brunei, which is Malay, or Bahasa Melayu as it is known locally.

Looking ahead, the government is proactively addressing education by implementing modern learning methods to boost Brunei's educational system. These methods range from investing in early childhood education to adopting international best practices in teaching and learning, as well as developing programs to promote lifelong learning and increase access to higher education.

For most of the time, Brunei attracted people for its scenic beauty. But the qualitative transformation in education is leading the country to new heights. The system now provides a variety of school alternatives that both the residents and ex-pat families can choose from, including Arabic schools, religious schools, international schools, technical schools, and vocational schools.

Hence, to introduce you to some of Brunei's finest schools, we at The Knowledge Review bring you our new edition, 'Best Performing Schools in Brunei'. We hope reading this edition will provide you with detailed insights into the schools in Brunei. So, let us explore these renowned schools by flipping through the pages.

Have a great read! T R

Vinayak

Vinayak Ghorpade vinayak.ghorpade@insightssuccess.in

CoverStory

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26

CXO Age of Autodidacts

EdTech Pros and Cons

CE ON NT T S

Click & Learn Engaging Ways to Keep the Students Motivated in Online Classes

20

Chung Hwa Middle School

Moulding Students into Loyal and Law-Abiding Citizens

Articles 16

28

Spotlight

Creating a Competitive Environment in the Classroom for Better Academic Results

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Name of the Institution

URL

Brief

Chung Hwa Middle School

aishk.edu.hk

The school aims to cultivate the people of Wenzhing with oriental values

International School of Brunei

isb.edu.bn

It aims to shaping values and building future through excellent education

Little Caliphs School

littlecaliphsschool.com

The school focuses on providing a safe, enriching, and nurturing learning environment

Panaga School (Teraja Campus)

panagaschool.com

Panaga School supports the students and allows them to learn and grow dynamically

Tinkerbell Learning School

tinkerbell.edu.bn

At Tinkerbell, every student learns to embark on journey of educational growth and discovery

Everyone Excels

‘‘

‘‘

ISB has a long-term commitment to

environmental conservation and sustainability and is one of the very few Green Flag accredited Eco-schools in Asia

T

he land of beaches, diverse rainforest with great oil reserves and with one of the largest natural gas plants in the world, Brunei is also known for universal education. A very safe country, Brunei houses some of the best educational institutions in the world. It is the government's endeavour to provide quality education to all and is constantly striving for the same.

One such school that we at The Knowledge Review came across is the International School Brunei that started off with a simple idea to educate a few children and went on to become a school of international repute.

Humble Beginning, Remarkable History It all started in 1964, Datin Glass, a government officer's wife, started a tutorial group for her daughter and one or two friends and taught them by means of a correspondence course sent out and marked by the South Australian Correspondence School. The number of students grew quite rapidly and by 1970, the school moved to a site provided by the Brunei Government and was established as a department of the South Australian Correspondence School, known locally as the Supervision School.

The school was a two-storey wooden building. By February 1971, there were 30 kindergarten pupils and 31 primary students. The enrolment continued to grow and by 1974, it had reached 160. In 1976, the school converted to a fully independent, private, preparatory school, employing trained teachers and adopting an education based on the UK primary school principles.

International School Brunei was established as a not-forprofit school and a limited company on December 1, 1976.

The school had a Board of Directors elected from the membership of the company.

Currently ISB caters for over 1300 students comprising of Early Years, Primary, Secondary and Pre-University. As a non-selective and fully inclusive school, ISB is proud to work closely together with the local community in a distinctive, happy, family atmosphere. ISB offers an adapted England and Wales curriculum followed by IGCSE and the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme (IBDP). With over 40 nationalities celebrated in the staff and student team, ISB is proud to be truly international.

World Class Facilities The school boasts world class facilities with well-equipped

laboratories, workshops and classrooms, a 25m FINAapproved touch-pad competition swimming pool, a community Sports Hall, an eco-garden, and an international boarding facility. In addition, at ISB Centre for Inclusive Learning, ISB supports students with significant and complex learning needs in a purpose-built centre.

Mission, Vision, Core Values and Motto Proud to be an inclusive school, at ISB ‘Everyone Excels’.

ISB values a broad-based, holistic curriculum driven by the school's mission - “Inspiring Minds, Shaping Values, Building Futures”. The school's warm, supportive and inclusive environment, combined with students of all abilities, cultures and backgrounds, inspires its students to become caring, open-minded global citizens geared for success in an ever-changing world.

A Leadership Unparalleled The school's leadership team, headed by ISB's Executive Principal Mrs Laura Thomas, is a team of experienced international teachers - having worked in schools and leadership positions across the globe.

When the pandemic hit Brunei in early 2020, as part of the school's push to make remote education accessible for its students during this challenging and unprecedented times, ISB operated as a virtual school for the third school term.

Overcoming the Challenge ISB planned and prepared for their virtual school model during the 2020 March school holiday to quickly adapt their academic programme to ensure that learning is equitable and effective for all students to the greatest possible extent.

Teachers received training to prepare them for the remote learning. Whilst virtual school did not replicate onsite learning, teachers delivered powerful instruction that allowed students to meet expected standards in the online environment. ISB ensured that learning was uninterrupted.

The ISB Virtual School experience aligns with ISB mission - Everyone Excels in an inclusive learning environment.

Students had worked in online and offline environments to continue with their learning journey, solve problems, think critically, and collaborate with other students and teachers.

The provision offered to the students (both academic lessons and pastoral support) by the dedicated team has been absolutely world class. Attendance rates for ISB students at virtual school have been excellent (and

Best Performing Schools in Brunei, 2021

‘‘

Holistic education is

achieved through our

in-house Life Skills Awards, prepping our Residence

‘‘

students with the skills and confidence to take on the world

sometimes have even exceeded attendance rates at normal school). The school also supported several students who are accessing the Virtual School from their home countries such as USA, New Zealand, Oman and India, as the students and their families are unable to travel back to Brunei.

The Curriculum and Accreditations The school offers Early Years Foundation Stage Curriculum education from Pre-Kindy and an internationally adapted National Curriculum of England and Wales from Year 1 to Year 9 followed by IGCSEs and the IB Diploma programme in the Pre-University section.

The school is non-selective, and currently has over 1300 students from over 40 different nationalities. Academic

results are above world averages with students leaving ISB to attend top universities all over the world.

ISB is a fully inclusive school. It provides education to all students regardless of their abilities. ISB is proud to have a learning support provision led by an experienced and highly qualified team. ISB is committed to continued professional development and is forward thinking in its approach.

ISB has been fully accredited by the Council of International Schools (CIS) since 2004. The CIS is a global non-profit membership organisation that provides services to schools and institutions focused on international education and having a commitment to high quality education.

ISB is an IB World School authorised to offer the Diploma Programme since 2004. As an IB World School, ISB is part of a global community of schools committed to developing knowledgeable, caring young people who will be ready to negotiate their futures successfully and make contributions resulting in a more harmonious and peaceful world. The IB Diploma Programme is an academically challenging and balanced course of study that prepares students for success at university and life beyond. The Programme has gained recognition and respect from the world's leading universities for breadth and depth.

ISB is an approved Cambridge International Examinations Testing Centre and Edexcel Testing Centre, which authorises ISB for the International General Certificate of Secondary Education for Key Stage Four.

The Duke of Edinburgh's (DofE) International Award is the world's leading youth achievement award which aims to empower young people, aged 14 to 24 years, to make a difference in their own lives and the lives of others, by exploring their potential, taking on new challenges, giving

back to their community, and achieving success. Students of ISB have been actively participating in the award scheme annually.

ISB has a long-term commitment to environmental conservation and sustainability and is one of the very few Green Flag accredited Eco-schools in Asia. In 2012, ISB became the first Eco-school in Borneo, having received the Green Mark accreditation from the Building & Construction Authority (BCA) Singapore for its green design and eco-friendly environment.

The East Asia Regional Council of Schools (EARCOS) is an organization of 165 member schools in East Asia – of which ISB is also a member of.

ISB is also a FOBISIA (Federation of British International Schools in Asia) member school which promotes and organises academic competitions, sport, music, drama, debating, student leadership activities and teacher development across their member schools. “Our students benefit hugely from all these competitions, and the professional development complements our own extensive programme well,” shared the school management.

Since 2007, ISB has been annually hosting a student-led Model United Nations (MUN) style conference, ISB BGIC (Borneo Global Issues Conference), where studentparticipants represent countries to address various views on current, real world issues. This initiative is aimed at the development of students' understanding of global citizenship and critical skills in research, public speaking, and negotiation. ISB had recently concluded its 17th conference in March 2021 following the theme Sustainable Development Goal 10 – Reduced Inequalities with the Royal Patron being, Her Royal Highness Paduka Seri Pengiran Anak Isteri Pengiran Anak Sarah binti Pengiran Salleh Ab Rahaman, D.K. In 2019, ISB was awarded 10 medals in the annual World Scholar's Cup (WSC) finals, Tournament of Champions at Yale University in the United States.

“Our students originally participated in the Regional Round of the competition, successfully qualifying for subsequent Global Round and all the way to the grand finals,” said the school management.

Inclusive Environment The school's warm, supportive and inclusive environment, combined with students of all abilities, cultures and backgrounds, inspire its students to become caring, openminded individuals geared for success in an ever-changing world.

The unique combination of opportunity, challenge and care provided by ISB ensures that students leave secure in the knowledge they are prepared for the challenges of university life and beyond.

Achievements, Awards, Accolades A holder of the highly acclaimed award, The Eco-Schools Green Flag, an internationally recognized award for excellence in environmental action and learning, ISB is committed to sustainability and eco awareness beyond the school community.

The Bandar campus is designed as a green school and was presented the Green Mark Award from Singapore's Building and Construction Authority (BCA), for its eco-friendly campus with a focus on energy and water efficiency, indoor environmental quality and other green features and innovations.

As a FOBISIA member school, ISB is able to participate in a variety of tournaments and competitions over the course of an academic year. During the FOBISIA games in 2019, the ISB U15 team collected a total of 158 medals, of which 53% were gold.

ISB offers a rigorous academic programme, achieving results above world averages.

The 2020 cohort of ISB Year 11 students gained 88% A*-C Grades whilst Year 13 graduates celebrated exemplary IBDP results with a 96% pass rate.

Being Different ISB is proud to be a not-for-profit school, where all revenue goes back into making the school a place where students are at the heart. Academic studies are enriched by a wide range of learning activities – from Eco projects to FOBISIA events, from community service to school productions and from ECAs to House competitions.

Inclusion “ISB is proud to be an inclusive school where everybody in our diverse community excels; including children with additional needs, our most able learners, those for whom English is an additional language and those from a wide

range of cultural and ethnic backgrounds. We have high ambitions and set aspirational targets for all our students”.

Model United Nations - Borneo Global Issues Conference (BGIC) To enhance the IBDP Core and embrace the IB Learner Profile attributes, ISB's annual student-led Borneo Global Issues Conference (BGIC) is a highlight of the year. Run as a Model United Nations Conference, BGIC is a studentled initiative welcoming more than 350 students from over 20 schools, offering students the opportunity to form local and regional links; interact with global experts and to develop awareness of different perspectives on issues affecting the local and global communities.

Eco School ISB has a long-term commitment to environmental conservation and sustainability and is one of the very few Green Flags accredited Eco-schools in Asia.

ISB is the first Eco-school in Borneo, having received the Greenmark accreditation from the Building & Construction Authority (BCA) Singapore for its green design and eco-friendly environment.

ISB is committed to sustainability and eco awareness beyond the school community. “We believe our students can make a real difference in this world. Outdoor learning is integral to our curriculum; students enjoying our Jungle Classroom and Eco Garden to enhance their learning,” informed the school leadership.

ISB Residence (Boarding House) The ISB Residence is considered a home away from home for students. The Residence offers a friendly structured environment. The Residence consists of two conjoined buildings, of which one is for male boarders and the other for female boarders. The buildings are joined by a common room, allowing all boarders the opportunity to unwind together after a long day of classes.

“At the Residence, we do not only nurture our boarders to achieve academically and be model global citizens, but also to be able to survive in the increasingly competitive 21st century. Holistic education is achieved through our in-house Life Skills Awards, prepping our Residence students with the skills and confidence to take on the

world. We strive to provide an environment where students in our care are treated as individuals and receive a personalised educational experience with the opportunity to develop and grow in body, mind and spirit,” affirms the school management.

Adult Learning ISB is a learning community, supporting the learning of students, staff, parents and the wider public. The school offers a number of courses for the wider community from its English Language Centre and CACHE Centre.

With over 50 years of accredited experience in high quality teaching and learning, ISB ELC provides English courses to meet different learning goals and aspirations in efficient and enjoyable ways, giving learners a valuable experience with quality teaching that gets results.

ISB CACHE Centre offers a range of professional qualifications for adults in Early Years, Teaching and Learning and Special Needs Education.

Additionally, ISB also offers various community classes that are open to public.

Centre for Inclusive Learning ISB's new Centre for Inclusive Learning in Panaga, Belait District, is a specialist provision for children with diagnosed learning difficulties, including Autism Spectrum Disorder, Down Syndrome and Speech, Language and Communication Needs.

The Centre's philosophy is that Everyone Excels when provided with the appropriate challenge and opportunities in a caring, safe and inclusive environment.

‘‘

supportive and inclusive

environment inspires our students to become

caring, open-minded

‘‘

individuals geared for changing world

ISB values a broad-based, holistic curriculum driven by the school mission “Inspiring Minds, Shaping Values, Building Futures”. The school aims to nurture students to be responsible global citizens who feel empowered and can make a difference.

Quick Facts: Institute name: International School Brunei Established in: 1964

The school's warm,

success in an ever-

Looking Ahead and Beyond ISB is a vibrant, friendly and internationally diverse school that values community and provides a warm, supportive and inclusive environment where students of all ability ranges and backgrounds are inspired and challenged to achieve and excel; be it in the classroom, on the sports field, or in Performing Arts.

Location: ISB occupies three sites. ISB Seria, a primary school in Seria (Belait District), Centre for Inclusive Learning, a provision for students with additional and complex learning needs in Panaga (Belait District) and an all through school (2-18 years) with a new stateof -the-art campus in the capital city, Bandar Seri Begawan. ISB also operates an English Language Centre providing English Language and Business Language courses to the local community and ISB CACHE Centre providing accredited programme for practitioners in education.

Engaging Ways to Keep the

Students Motivated

in Online Classes

T

hroughout the pandemic of COVID-19, students in all age categories were introduced to a new platform of online learning. Educational institutes, which include schools and most of the universities have switched to online learning for their academic studies.

In recent reports we have experienced: the students are not showing interest in the online lectures and a few of the observations that teachers mentioned were specifically pointed out ‘students are falling into a rabbit hole of online distractions.’ Online classes for university students, especially where the students attend a lecture of two hours, it is easy to switch off and get distracted, as students just listen and take notes, rather than taking part in any activity.

To tackle this scenario, experts suggested engaging ways to keep the students motivated in their online classes. · Making the Class Interactive The simplest way to check if the students are focused on the session is to ask them questions. Teachers can maintain

student engagement by asking them questions about the topic. The idea that they could be asked any question will be enough to keep the students focused and appreciation for any correct answer will motivate them, eventually keeping them focused and encouraged about the ongoing session. · Adding Quizzes and Challenges in Online Sessions Everyone loves a pop quiz. Challenges and quizzes are great for motivating the students about their subject and online session. This is an effective way of learning also for those students who are less attentive in the class as the questions will help them to remember key points that are being taught in the class.

Making these quizzes a little competitive by adding points or a prize system will make it a bit more engaging for the students. It is an uncomplicated way to make online learning fun and interesting as all the students are getting involved as well as rewarding to those students who are working hard.

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Click & Learn

October 2021 | 17 | www.theknowledgereview.com

· Engaging Students with Team Projects Students are more likely to stay engaged when they are working in teams.

In classrooms, it was extremely easy to assign a class project and ask students to work in a team, but it can be a challenge in the new normal to assign students with such projects in their online classes.

The online platforms can help by setting teachers set-up as administrators and splitting their classes according to the assigned projects. Students can also present their work or presentations in the sessions and teachers can provide individual feedback after displaying their work.

Students love such activities and keep themselves focused and motivated in such online sessions. Also, engaging in such activities effectively develops their interest and they start enjoying such online classes. · Interaction between Teacher and Students An effortless way to increase students' motivation is taking their feedback on board.

If the students are getting a chance to speak or provide feedback about the sessions, it will allow them with an individual response where they can share their views about the sessions and convey and discuss their difficulties with their teachers.

Teachers can help the students overcome their difficulties and change several teaching patterns and adapt to new teaching styles which will eventually help the students to understand the topic, with an easy method. · Turn Mistakes into Learning Opportunities Most of the students are afraid of failure. They cannot overcome their fear of making a mistake and such situations can lead them to lose their confidence because they are afraid of punishment or teachers might scold them because of their wrong answer.

Teachers can focus on such students and provide them with an opportunity to overcome these fears. They can offer them personalized feedback and constructive criticism, by which the students can learn from their own mistakes and try to improvise.

This process will build up their self-confidence and they will start enjoying these sessions with the motivation to perform better. · Transform Online Assignments into Activities Students tend to take the word assignments as a burden.

Since the online learning platforms are offering various new formats of assignments like worksheets, online questionnaires, etc, replacing them with group activities will eventually develop interest among students and motivate them to engage actively in the online learning classes. · Getting the Students to Work and Focus on What They Have Learned After the online sessions, teachers can ask and do a quick go through, like a revision on the topic by open-ended questions that require higher thinking skills. Put the information in context and conduct a group discussion where students can share what they have learned in the session. Teachers can observe the students and solve their problems and sooner the teachers will act upon their difficulties; they are more likely to improvise the student's performance.

These engaging ways are leading to improve communication between teacher and students, which is alike teaching actively in the classroom. Teachers can observe the students as well as their performance and guide them properly to overcome their difficulties and this will keep the students engaged with their studies and motivated for their online classes.

If this scenario is happening, students will eventually lose their motivation and stop attending online classes.

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- Abhishek Joshi

Chung Hwa Middle School Moulding Students into Loyal and Law-Abiding Citizens

E

We aim to lay strong eastern values in our students and the condence to excel in their future careers

ducation has witnessed a tremendous metamorphosis in today's fast-changing world.

Students' needs are gradually evolving, which calls for efficient educational institutions which can transform them into able leaders of tomorrow. This is where the leading schools step in, where the educators bestow the students with an education that transforms them into responsible global citizens.

One such prominent school dedicated towards educational upliftment and overall development of the students is Chung Hwa Middle School, BSB. Established in 1922, it is one of the largest private schools in Bandar Seri Begawan, Negara Brunei Darussalam.

It provides a trilingual (Chinese, Malay and English) learning environment while adhering to the national education policy. CHMS, BSB is gearing up for its centennial celebration in 1922, and it has a long history of contributing to the nation's greatness.

The person leading Chung Hwa Middle School from the front is none other than Madam Kho Guik Lan, the Principal and one of the longest serving members of the school. Not only was she a fellow student of the school, but since graduating from the university, Madam Kho has also been loyally serving CHMS for the past four decades.

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Best Performing Schools in Brunei -2021 In an interview with The Knowledge Review, Madam Kho Guik Lan shares the journey of Chung Hwa Middle School in delivering exceptional educational facilities to the students.

Below are highlights of the interview between Madam Kho and The Knowledge Review: Please brief us about your school, its history, and mission and vision.

Chung Hwa Middle School, Bandar Seri Begawan (CHMS, BSB) had only two teaching staff and 20 students back in 1922. Ninety-nine years later, the school is thriving with 2217 students and 130 teachers, and it takes pride in having attained significant milestones.

Despite the passage of time, the journey as one of the country’s oldest and largest Chinese private schools is one to be proud of. As the country's oldest institution, we are appreciative of the significant contributions we have made to the country's educational system. Being country’s oldest, we take pride in the major contribution that we have made to the country’s education system. While recalling past struggles and honing our future pathways, the school today takes pride in all educational achievements that influences civic participation and the opportunity to thrive in educational initiatives.

Brief us about your campus and the academic programs being carried out.

Chung Hwa Middle School is a private school, non-profit organisation which was established in 1922 by the Chinese community of Brunei. The school is one of the largest private schools in Bandar Seri Begawan, Negara Brunei Darussalam. It provides a trilingual (Chinese, Malay and English) learning environment while adhering to the national education policy.

The school is divided into: – Kindergarten – Elementary School – Secondary School The three-block school building houses more than sixty classrooms, as well as science laboratories, activities rooms, library, kindergarten halls, a cooperative store, a canteen, music rooms, computer rooms, a conference room, a dental clinic, a multimedia room, teacher's hostel, dance studio and the staff room.

There are four halls in CHMS, BSB Darussalam Hall, Boon Pang Hall, Aw Boon Hall and the Ong Tiong Oh Lecture Hall. The large Gymnasium cum Assembly Hall (Darussalam Hall) is used for school assemblies, events and functions, physical education classes, indoor sports and games. There is a two-floor library with more than 70,000 books and 300 seats.

What additional activities does the institute conduct for overall development of the student?

Our aim is to become the most sought-after school in Brunei

Following are the mission and vision of CHMS: Mission: To lay in our students’ strong eastern values, the ability to do well in both their studies and sports, and the confidence to excel in their future careers.

Vision: To be the most sought-after school in Brunei

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The beginning of 21st century education demands for the development of future ready skills in students. Students should be able to multitask in order to meet the demands and become whole 21st century student. Students often acquire talents that are unique to their career path and are crucial for the success of potential employment.

Bearing that in mind, CHMS, BSB offers a wide range of extracurricular activities for the benefit of students.

From Academic clubs such as English Oratory Club, Chinese Drama Club, Volunteer and Service-related activities such as First Aid, Police Cadet, and Multicultural activities such as Chinese Drums Club, Lion Dance Club etc., Chinese Martial Arts – Wushu club, Arts and Business activities such as Entrepreneurship Club, Science and Technology activities such as STEM, etc.

What are the factors that set the institute apart from others?

There are a few factors that gives us leverage when compared with other schools in Brunei. Chung Hwa Middle School, BSB envisions to challenge students of all abilities, to achieve excellence in a wide range of academic, cultural, collaborative, leadership, personal and sporting activities. The following are the focus points that allows us to stand out from other institutions in Brunei.

Teaching practices CHMS, BSB teaching quality has always been the best as we inculcate contemporary and best practices in the industry with more learner-centered approaches. The lessons we impart caters to the necessities of our students.

Being a digitalized school in the country, we adapt novel approaches to instill 21st century skills with multiple pedagogical approaches that support

social, emotional, behavioural and language development; provide supportive feedback for learning and motivate continued effort.

Specialities Our school has a mix of academic courses for upper secondary stream where we follow Cambridge GCE O level Education module. We offer courses that include humanities and science stream and offer optional subjects to students score better based on their interest as they would like to specialize in higher education.

Facilities Our school has the top-notch facilities that create an appropriate ambiance to learn. Facilities such as student's canteen, library, multipurpose rooms, computer labs, other study spaces are good – quality services that they can find in the country.

We create an environment where students are developed harmoniously, socially, intellectually, physically, and aesthetically

owing to its dedicated endeavours towards academic and career development of the students. Some of them have been mentioned below:

Student services Our school boasts to provide goodquality services that meet student's needs and is always well supported through our staff. Our teachers always provide mentoring programs, academic assistance to help slow learners too.

To support families that face financial problems, we offer full and partial scholarship where we encourage students to continue their studies.

- ‘Exemplary School Award’ in 2009 by the Foreign Office of the People’s Republic of China - Microsoft Showcase School since 2014 to till date - BICTA [Brunei ICT Award] Winner - APICTA [Asia Pacific ICT Award] MERIT Winner - GCE O Levels – Top 10 in the World, Top in the country [Brunei Darussalam] - PRYNSA [Young Scientist Award]

Please tell us about your major awards and accolades if any.

Our school has won numerous awards

How has the institute managed to cope up with the present pandemic?

CHMS, BSB has been successful in

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integrating technology in teaching and learning process way back then. We have a strong team of innovative and digital savvy educators who had been educating and teaching fellow educators about various EdTech tools since 2014. Moreover, we are a Microsoft Showcase School and that gave us a leverage in using the right technology for the right cause.

The school has already equipped students with Office 365 account and our secondary students have been using Microsoft Teams for the past two years. Primary students were connected with ClassDojo and Office 365 accounts. Based on the directives of the Brunei Government and Ministry of Education, Brunei Darussalam we were following remote learning for three months since March.

Starting June, we adapted hybrid learning module and from August we went back to our traditional classroom setting.

Though the whole process brought in a large disruption in teaching and learning, we were able to adapt to the 'new normal' with effective and efficient actions. Proper planning in adapting right EdTech tools enabled us to conduct effective live lessons using Microsoft Teams. We ensured the type of EdTech tools used by teachers to ease of the burden of students and parents. For Primary school students, recorded lessons were shared in ClassDojo.

We inculcate the qualities of propriety, righteousness, modesty, and remorsefulness in our students

Overall, CHMS, BSB was prepared to tackle the challenges that the pandemic imposed on us. There was no lack of learning because all learning methods were made possible with our preparedness with appropriate and students-familiar technologies and learning materials. We re-prepare, reinvest and reinforce processes to move forward with this new normal experience.

Where would you place yourself in the future in the field of education?

As the pandemic COVID19 has reshaped the educational landscape, a probing question that has arisen out of this change is the redundancy of Schools. Education will exist and so will Schools. The forms of education might vary from Online Learning, hybrid learning but traditional schoolbased learning will definitely exists.

As a most sought-after school, I believe that CHMS, BSB will be imparting holistic education to the diverse community of Brunei Darussalam in the future as well. Our school will be a centre where most effective teaching approaches, techniques, and ideologies will be practiced. We will encourage innovations and their adaptation to specific circumstances and assist the creation of a community of parents and teachers who support each other.

We believe in pedagogy, and always enhance teaching and learning with more student-centered approaches.

With extending ownership in learning to students, the school has championed gamification where students learn through games. Maintaining a curriculum that is contemporary which allows students to learn with different devices, programs and techniques.

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Prof. Rakesh Khatri Corporate and Soft Skills Trainer, Director

The R.K. Institute

EdTech

Pros and Cons

E

dTech, a portmanteau of the phrase ‘education technology,’ is that the mixture of IT tools and academic practices aimed toward facilitating and enhancing learning. ‘EdTech’ is a branch of technology dedicated to the creation and implementation of educational technologies (including software, hardware, and procedures). ‘EdTech is a study and ethical practice for supporting learning and increasing performance by designing, employing, and managing suitable technological processes and resources,’ according to the definition.

Today’s classrooms have moved beyond the clunky desktop computers that were once the norm and are now techinfused with tablets, interactive online courses, and even robots that can take notes and record lectures for school kids who are ill.

Educational technology has evolved in exciting new ways, inspiring teachers, and students alike. From the ancient abacus to handheld calculators, from slide projectors and classroom film strips to virtual reality and next-generation e-learning, educational technology has evolved in exciting new ways, inspiring teachers and students alike.

The way we work, play, create, and communicate is always evolving as a result of technological advancements. As a result, it's only natural that digital technology advances.

“The technical instruments and media that aid in the conveyance of knowledge, as well as its growth and exchange,” according to one major definition of educational technology.

Take, for example, augmented reality and virtual reality.

Technology innovation specialist Daniel Newman addresses utilizing AR and VR to ‘educate’ in his Forbes.com article

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Age of Autodidacts on the ‘Top 6 Digital Transformation Trends in Education.’

This influx of EdTech tools is changing classrooms in all kinds of ways: EdTech robots are making it easy for school kids to stay engaged through fun kinds of learning; IoT devices are being hailed for their ability to form digital classrooms for school kids, whether they’re physically in school, on the bus or at home; even machine learning and blockchain tools are assisting teachers with grading tests and holding students responsible of homework.

The ability to saleable, personalized learning has been a key factor in EdTech's rise. It's not a one-size-fits-all issue when it comes to how we study, connect with classmates and professors, and our general passion for the same subjects.

Everyone learns at their own speed and in their own manner. EdTech technologies let teachers build personalized lesson plans and lessons.

The benefits of educational technology in education are enormous and form a very difficult list. In general, educational institutions that have been using or essayed EdTech saw these common advantages: Increase Student Engagement These digital tools help to increase collaboration and engagement in the classroom. The biggest mistake when it comes to communication is the misapprehension that it has happened. Contradictory to popular belief, you can see an increased engagement in online classrooms because of the myriad tools available for communication and collaboration.

Accessibility The kind of accessibility to education that technology has brought in is commendable. Students can access their classrooms from anywhere at any time and also, they have a wide range of options to choose from. Technology has made it possible for people to look beyond geographical barriers.

Personalization EdTech opens the door to a personalized learning experience. In place of textbook material and classroom activities, EdTech helps students to learn at their own pace and time. As mentioned earlier, it brings in a sense of ease and convenience.

Easy Grading Paperless and comfortable grading is another major advantage that educational technology has brought into the picture.

Automated Reports Thanks to educational technology and tools, it is easier to track progress and growth. With automated reports and realtime growth analysis, EdTech helps save time and effort.

There are various EdTech tools that are designed to help teachers with classroom management and administration.

Five disadvantages of technology in the classroom: Distracting Students Smartphones have a bad reputation in classrooms and there have been strong cases for banning them in schools.

Research suggests that during class time, when smartphones consumed 42% of the time that students spent on their smartphones in the classroom, it was to text, tweet, or otherwise engage in social media rather than the lesson.

Requires Management and Training The rise of EdTech means that being effective in the classroom requires that teachers are effective on the screen and tech platforms. Studies show that three-quarters of teachers say the internet and other digital tools have added new demands to their lives and have dramatically increased the range of content and skills about which they must be knowledgeable, with nearly half saying it has increased their workload.

Leads to Tech Disparity Tech disparity refers to how much access students have to the necessary devices. The differences in access can be seen between school districts, with more affluent districts having greater resources, but it can also refer to differences among students in the same school, where students from wealthier families having greater access.

Cost Money Nothing in this world is free and buying cutting-edge electronics for a classroom is downright expensive. While there’s no way to avoid spending money modernizing a classroom, it is at least possible to maximize the total cost of ownership (TCO) by installing devices with longer lifespans and reduced maintenance.

Less Face Time No amount of technology in the classroom can replace talented, inspired teachers. As the adage goes, any teacher that can be replaced with a tech device probably deserves to be replaced.

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Spotlight

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Creating a

Competitive

Environment

in the

Classroom

for Better

Academic

T

o interest a child in something, parents try to indulge that activity in a game. As the famous words of renowned Swiss psychologist Jean Piaget state, ‘Play is the answer to how anything new comes about!’, allowing the children to play in a competition is a great way to help them learn new things. These games also help the students in enhancing their creativity, pushing their limits, and bringing the best out of them.

Games are often associated with competition, and it is the competition that motivates children to push their limits and make a difference.

Results

Competition in the classroom has got a very bad reputation when it comes to the growth of the child, but the child needs to grow. A competitive environment along with healthy competition sets the student on a good track for the future. Also, the personalities that most students aspire are based on competition, so is it wrong to put the children in an environment that is similar to the real world?

Some of the studies might suggest that the competitive environment in the classroom might be harmful to the students, but on the same side, this competitive nature helps the student bring out the best and excel in life. In this

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article, let’s explore the different ways in which a competitive environment in the classroom can help students excel in academics: Channelled Focus Students in the school have a developing mind, which grows at an unusual rate. It is in the nature of the competition that requires attention. Also, in a classroom when the students compete with peers of equal calibre, it motivates them to do better than the rest. This allows them to focus on studies and examinations that in the end, results in good academic results.

The competitive environment in the classroom keeps the students in a zone that particularly helps them to remain focused. This helps them to channelise their energy on a particular task. Also, proper guidance from the teachers along with that extra push from their classmates helps them go beyond their limits to give the best performance in their exams and excel in academics.

To Boost the Growth Growth is essential for everyone to develop and excel. As a growing mind, students need to know different ways of doing something. There can be no growth if there is the absence of a different perspective or lack of insights. A competitive environment grants students access to different perspectives or visions of their fellow classmates. The insights of the peers and teachers allow the students to know where improvements can be done.

Different ways of doing things also bring out the creativity of the students. This development can only be possible when there is a competitive environment in class. While maintaining the competitive environment in the classroom, the responsibility of maintaining healthy competition falls on the shoulders of the teacher. Healthy competition actively helps the students to grow and develop all the essential characteristics that will result in better academic performance.

Creating a Competitive Environment in the Classroom The current education system is so dynamic that it already adds to the competitive environment in the classroom. The grading system or percentile system, with the involvement of exams, helps the students know how the system works

and the importance of academics. However, it is not just about creating a competitive environment but a healthy competitive environment that involves everyone’s growth.

It depends on the teacher and the school system to maintain a healthy environment in the classroom that will help the students to not only perform well in their academics but also help them to not indulge fear and other harmful elements in their nature.

Finding out their Core Interests Schooling and academics are a part of life. Academics being the steppingstone of the future for the students allows them to explore different streams. The academic system is designed in such a way, that will help the students to find their best interests from kindergarten to grade 12 (K-12).

Every student is different and like every individual, they have different interests. A competitive environment creates a perfect opportunity for the student to know which are the different areas in which they are interested and excel at.

Preparing for their Future Apart from the academic results, the competitive environment that the students grow in helps them to prepare themselves for their future. The world is based on competition and the best one thrives. However, this might not entirely be true, but the competitive environment allows the students to push their limits and bring the best out of themselves. The competitive environment indirectly trains the students for important tasks like critical thinking, exploring creativity, risk analysis, etc., which are equally important for the bright future that the students dream about.

The foundation of everything that the children aspire to become begins in the classroom. As every coin has two sides, a competitive environment also has two sides.

However, the neutralisation of the negative side completely depends on the effectiveness of the teacher and the system.

Having said that, a competitive environment in the classroom helps the students to achieve better academic results as well as help them build a better future for themselves. The academic results may not be final, but it cannot be ignored that these academic results play a crucial role in building a bright future for children.

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- Ashlesh Khadse