Education in Brunei Darussalam is free, at all levels, but not compulsory. The government pays all of the costs, including textbooks and other supplies, transportation, and boarding, if necessary.
In 1974, and again in 1984, steps were taken by the Brunei government to restructure and define its educational system. Governmental and private educational institutions within the country are supervised by the Ministry of Education and must comply with the Education Act of 1984 and any subsequent standards established by the Ministry of Education.
Government schools in Brunei use both English and Malay as the languages of instruction. Despite pressure to adopt Malay as the sole language, English is also used, largely because many of the country's teachers are Britain or Australia. Due to the Islamic heritage of Brunei, as well as its status as an Islamic monarchy, the educational strategies of Brunei emphasize components of Islam, along with allegiance to the Sultan. Yet, its educational curricula draws heavily from the British educational system.
Children in Brunei may attend preschool at the age of five. It is a one-year program intended to familiarize children with the school environment and to enhance social development.
Children may begin primary school grade one at the age of six. Preschool is not a prerequisite. Primary school is a six-year program, from grades one to six, so students are usually about thirteen when they complete primary school. Students are required to sit for a national examination halfway through their primary school education and, at the end, they must pass a national test known as the Primary Certificate of Education Examination, which determines the student's suitability for continued education, as well as the path for secondary education.
Students with special needs might be offered either an individualized education plan or a remedial education plan, either of which may be designed to accommodate the abilities or needs of the student.
There are two levels of secondary school in Brunei, and a few options.
Middle school, or Junior Secondary School, is generally a three-year program, comprised of grades seven, eight, and nine, after which a student will sit for the Brunei Junior Certificate of Education Examination. Senior Secondary School, or senior high school, is grades ten and eleven, after which a General Certificate of Education Examination must be satisfactorily completed.
However, at the secondary level, students get to choose from a few different paths to learning, so long as they have demonstrated the aptitude to succeed.
The general secondary education program is for those have shown an aptitude for academic subjects and are inclined to continue along an academic path. Students who achieve particularly well by grade eight might complete secondary school in four years rather than five.
The applied secondary education program is for students who are inclined, either through interest or on the basis of examination scored, toward vocational learning. This program is more hands-on than academic and designed to teach skills that will prepare them for their chosen work. Usually, students who choose this option will make that choice at grade nine.
The specialized education program is for gifted children who have performed exceptionally well in specific areas. It is designed to allow these students to accelerate their education in in these areas, generally with the idea of continuing on to tertiary education.
The special education needs program is a five-year program designed for students with learning disabilities, the objective being to assist them in developing social, academic, and life skills, with an eye to a suitable work placement.
Some students who complete middle school will go on to a vocational school rather than to senior high school. These may be known as technical colleges or craft colleges, depending on the level, and may train students in nursing, agriculture, or primary school teaching.
Tertiary education might consist of a two-year diploma program or a four-year bachelor's degree program. Currently, there are four universities in Brunei; these are the University of Brunei Darussalam, Instit Teknologi Brunei, Sultan Sharif Ali Islamic University, and Seri Begawan Religious Teachers University College. Additionally, there are a number of lower-level training centers, institutes, technical colleges, and colleges.
If local facilities are unavailable, the Brunei government will pay for overseas education for qualified students.
Recommended Resources
AT International School Brunei
Accepting students from two to eighteen years of age, the co-educational day and boarding school offers early years, primary, and secondary sections. Beginning in 1970, the school was known as the Supervision School until accepting its current name in 1976, and now operates a Primary branch in Kuala Belait, as well as its 22-acre campus in Kg Sungai Hanching. Its history and development, accreditation, and staff contacts are posted.
http://www.isb.edu.bn/
Catering to the children of Gurkha soldiers and those of British military and civilian Ministry of Defence personnel, the primary school serves children from three to eleven years of age. Featuring UK-based teachers and Nepali specialist teachers working alongside their UK-based colleagues, the school adheres to the National Curriculum of England, using the English language, but with variations for Nepali children to meet their own national requirements.
http://www.hornbillschool.com/
JIS is a co-educational, boarding and day school in Kampong Tungku, Brunei, that includes Junior School, Middle Years, and both levels of Upper Years, using the British National Curriculum in Junior School, with an expanded curriculum in later years, including the Advanced Level General Certificate of Education and the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme. Its history, boarding options, admissions policies, and a school calendar are posted.
http://www.jerudonginternationalschool.com/
Created largely to educate the children of employees of Brunei Shell Petroleum Company and third-party contractors, the school is situated in Negara, Brunei Darussalam. Panaga is a mainstream school that offers an International Stream following the National Curriculum of England and the International Primary Curriculum. Its entrance and placement criteria are specified, including age eligibility criteria, entrance assessments, and curriculum.
https://www.panagaschool.com/
Seri Mulia Sarjana International School
Offering an Early Learning Center program through Junior School, the school began as a Special English Language class within the former PDS School, the school moved to a separate campus in 1998, taking its current name in 2008, admitting expatriate families as well as local students from Brunei Darussalam. Its history, vision and mission, campus services, and admissions policies are defined.
http://www.smsarjanais.edu.bn/
Formerly known as PDA School, SMSS is in the Brunei-Muara District of Brunei. Founded in 1992, the school began as a preschool and has since expanded to include the primary levels, using the International Primary Curriculum. Its history, philosophy, administrative offices and contacts, admissions policies, programs, and a school calendar are published to the site, along with its achievements and other announcements.
http://www.smsarjana.edu.bn/
Established in 1985, UBD is the oldest and largest university in Brunei, and currently located in Tungku Link, where it features eight academic faculties, which are highlighted here, along with its organizational structure, outreach strategy, undergraduate and graduate programs, international exchange programs, entry requirements and procedures, scholarships, and research facilities.
http://www.ubd.edu.bn/
The University of Technology of Brunei is an engineering and technology institution. Established as a diploma program in 1986, it was upgraded to a university in 2008. Its academic faculties and programs are defined, along with its graduate studies and research facilities, and its role in training people in engineering, business, computing, informatics, applied, sciences, and mathematics.
http://www.utb.edu.bn/
