THE Ministry of Education (MoE) is exploring the possibility of introducing a formal licensing programme through which all school heads will undergo a series of leadership training and eventually get the International Professional Qualification for Headships (IPQH).

During a recent visit to the National College for School Leadership (NCSL) in Nottingham, United Kingdom, Minister of Education Pehin Orang Kaya Seri Kerna Dato Seri Setia Dr Hj Abu Bakar Hj Apong was hoping to explore the possibility of collaboration with the college for future Licensing Programme.

The NCSL is the first college in UK to offer training for the professional development of school leaders. The college plays a main role in supporting school leaders to bring improvement in the school system and to encourage decentralised culture of self-improvement in schools. In a press statement, the ministry hoped that having such a programme in Brunei would contribute greatly towards transforming Brunei schools into "Model Schools".

"It will enhance and nurture the capacity and performance of Brunei school heads in driving improvements in schools," it added.

In England, the headship programme has helped to improve the capacity and performance of school leaders.

School Leadership is moving up the agenda around the world and major studies have demonstrated that school leadership is second only to classroom teaching as an influence on pupil learning.

Considering that school leaders of the 21st century are operating within a fast moving, complex and diverse environments, it is absolutely crucial that we have the best leaders running our schools, the statement read.

This Licensing Programme combines with the existing School Leadership Programme (SLP)- offered by ILIA in Universiti Brunei Darussalam (UBD) -could produce larger effects in ensuring Brunei school leaders have the latitude of skills and knowledge to improve the lives of students and future generations. The minister was at the college with group of officers from the ILIA, Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah Institute of Education and two head teachers from a secondary and primary school in the country from January 16 to 20, 2012. UBD vice-chancellor Dato Paduka Dr Hj Zulkarnain Hj Hanafi was also accompanying the Minister. Wardi Buntar

The Brunei Times