Raising Awareness on Inclusive Education

Awang Md Bahri managing all on his own during his talk.

In line with the Ministry of Education’s goal of fostering and implementing inclusive education, through the Special Education Unit, Sekolah Rendah Tungku in Brunei III Zone  has recently taken its first step towards the same goal – which is to raise awareness about students with special needs and its benefits to the regular students. A total of 275 year 4, 5 and 6 pupils present in the school hall together with 15 regular teachers  and 5 staff attentively listened to Awang Mohammad Bahri bin Bohari’s talk entitled “My Life Experiences and Your Inclusive School”. Awg Md Bahri was born without both his upper arms and is now in his fourth year at the  University Brunei Darussalam (UBD) taking Bachelor of Arts in Primary Education.

He started off by sharing what is inclusive education and how, the lack of knowledge of that term during his primary school years, made quite an impact on his life and led him to where he is now. He continued by sharing his educational journey right from his first day in school and the challenges and joys that went with it. He particularly stressed that having a “buddy” in school helped  him learn and have fun at the same time. He recounted his achievements, academic and otherwise, achieved with help from his very supportive and loving family and all the friendly school community, including a couple of governmental agencies which have been providing  health and financial support. Some private companies have also been very warmhearted  and gave him part time jobs and amazingly provided him with modified space and computer paraphernalia to maximize his service. One recent achievement was gaining his driving license, which according to him, is a sign that our government is making its mark towards a fully inclusive society. During his talk, he showed how he drinks using his toes to hold the glass and drink without any help.

The motivational talk became so interesting that 3 pupils raised questions while 4 others shared what they learned from his talk. Awang Md Bahri concluded that we are all the same; that if we have the will to make something happen, if we have the support from relevant people in our lives, then it would be our determination that would count whether we achieve what we want in life or not. And having a supportive family as well as a friendly and supportive school and community makes not only individuals with special needs special, but makes everyone involved special. For in taking part, we are giving part of ourselves, thereby, allowing individuals with special needs to develop the courage to go out in the open, be accepted and eventually succeed in their own chosen field. He personally hoped that Sekolah Rendah Tungku would continue to grow as an inclusive school, as he saw much promise in the students’ enthusiasm about  the talk.

The event ended with the deputy headmistress 1 Cikgu Saramah binti Mail awarding the speaker a certificate and token of appreciation from the school’s administration.  Similar efforts will hopefully increase positive attitudes and support in including individuals with special needs in regular schools nationwide.

A Year 6 boy asking “how do you eat”?

The school’s SENA teacher accompanying pupils eager to ask questions on the speaker’s daily ordeals.

(From left):Deputy headmistresses 1 and 2 taking down notes and listening attentively respectively.

The school’s deputy headmistress 1 Cikgu Saramah binti Mail handing over the certificate of

appreciation and tiken of gratitude to Awg Md Bahri.

The SENA teacher (left) holding the microphone while the speaker showed how he

take off and wear his socks and shoes.

Group photo: (from left) Deputy headmistress 2, Deputy headmistress 1, the speaker’s grandfather,

the speaker-Awg Md Bahri bin Bohari, and the school’s SENA teacher.

Some of the Year 4, 5 and 6 teachers present during the motivational talk.

(From left): Cikgu Nurul Amirah Abdullah, the school’s SENA teacher,

Awg Md bahri bin Bohari and his colleague from UBD.

Awg Md Bahri (centre) signing the school’s visitor’s book.

 In the SENA room, the speaker with a SENA relief (left side) and his UBD colleague (right side).

Text Article by:

Cikgu Nurul Amirah binti Abdullah

More pictures at our Facebook.