16 April 2015 – Philippine Department of Education (DepEd) Undersecretary for Partnerships and External Linkages Mario A. Deriquito paid a courtesy call on Yang Berhormat Pehin Orang Kaya Seri Kerna Dato Seri Setia (Dr) Haji Awang Abu Bakar bin Haji Apong, Minister of Education of Brunei Darussalam, as part of the former’s official visit to Brunei last April 09 to 12.
Among the topics discussed during the courtesy call were DepEd’s Programs for Last-Mile Learners, the proposed Philippine Memorandum of Understanding (PHL-MOU) on Basic Education Cooperation, and the reactivation of the Scholarship Program for Certificate in Teaching Arabic as a Second Language (TASL) and School Administration at Universiti Brunei Darussalam (UBD). The last is part of the Education and Training Program for Madrasah School Teachers and Principals from Mindanao, which is more commonly known as the “Madrasah Program.”
Undersecretary Deriquito, along with representatives from the Philippine Embassy in Brunei, also met with officials from Brunei’s Ministry of Education, headed by Dato Seri Setia Awang Haji Yusoff bin Haji Ismail, Deputy Minister of Education, on April 11.
The Ministry officials briefed the Philippine delegation on the recent educational programs and initiatives being undertaken by the Ministry of Education which are in line with their National Education System for the 21st Century, or Sistem Pendidikan Negara Abad Ke-21 (SPN 21), towards the achievement of their Wawasan 2035 (National Vision 2035).
During the meeting, the Undersecretary was accompanied by Third Secretary & Vice-Consul Melvin C. Almonguera, Chargé d’Affaires; Cultural and Information Office Attaché Eleanor B. Belgica; and Political and Economic Assistant Frederick A. Rili of the Philippine Embassy in Brunei; and DepEd International Cooperation Office (ICO) Officer Karen A. Pahayahay.
Undersecretary Deriquito graced the commencement ceremonies of 104 students who enrolled for the 13th session of the Filipino Language and Cultural Enrichment Program (FLCEP), organized by the Embassy in cooperation with the Brunei Filipino Educators’ Club (BFEC).
He was also the guest speaker at a conference organized by BFEC at the SEAMEO Voctech Regional Center in Gadong, where he briefed the Filipino teachers about the K-12 program, the new curriculum system in the Philippines. He discussed with them the Philippine government’s plan for the teachers’ reintegration into the new system once they return home.
He also had the opportunity to meet with the Filipino community during a dialogue held at the Philippine Chancery. In his presentation, he introduced DepEd’s Programs for Last-Mile Learners, which aims to provide educational assistance for indigent children. He also called on the Filipino community to establish a Philippine School Overseas (PSO) in Brunei Darussalam to address the educational needs of the children of overseas Filipinos in the host country.
During the DepEd officials’ short visit to Brunei, they were also able to tour some of the country’s historic landmarks, including the Royal Regalia Museum and Kampong Ayer (Water Village). END