THE SCHOOL CURRICULUM

The school curriculum has been formulated to establish an effective education system capable of developing the all-round potential of the individual.  Based on strong Islamic principles, the curriculum aims to create, develop, and produce individuals who are educated, devout, dynamic, disciplined and responsible.  Government and private schools follow a common curriculum and public examinations.

PRE-SCHOOL CURRICULUM

Pre-school education begins at the age of five.  The curriculum consists of Bahasa Melayu, English Language, Arithmetic, Civics, Basic Islamic Religious Knowledge, Physical education, Aesthetics and Creativity.  There is no fixed timetable in the teaching-learning process either within or outside the classroom  since an integrated teaching approach is advocated and practised.

PRIMARY CURRICULUM

The primary school curriculum aims to strengthen basic communication, literacy, numeracy and ICT skills.  Is alos aims to mould and develop the students' character, emotions, thinking ability, creativity, independence and social skills.  Through the curriculum, the students' behaviour is guided and their spirituality developed in accordance with the teachings of Islam.

Primary Four school children wishing to continue their studies in Arabic Schools sit for a selection test.  Successful candidates continue to follow the National Curriculum for another two years, whilst at the same time taking some subjects taught in Arabic.

 

CO-CURRICULUM 

The formation of the Co-Curriculum Department was a conscious effort by the Ministry of Education to coordinate and relate co-curriculum programmes as an integral part of the school curriculum which in turn will supplement teaching and learning. 

Co-curriculum education is provided for the enhancement of personal development including co-operation, understanding, respect for one another and open mindedness. Students and pupils are encouraged to take co-curriculum activities which start from primary school and continue until pre-university level. 

At the national level, activities include sports and games, academic competitions, public speaking, and religious, entrepreneurial, cultural and art activities. These activities are geared towards preparation for international competitions and as an annual event for schools to show their talents in various fields. 

Brunei Darussalam is a member of numerous regional and international councils and these would include the  ASEAN School Sport Council, the World Schools Debating Council, the Asian School Sport Federation, and the Asian Schools Football Federation. 

Brunei students have been actively involved in regional and international competitions in both sports and academic competitions.  These would include various sporting activities and games, debating contests contests, public speaking and other cultural competitions including artistic pursuits. 

Since 1985, Brunei Darussalam has won several competitions.  These would include achieving third place in the Asian Schools Football Championships, and winning bronze medals in sepak takraw (1994), badminton  (1999) and athletics (1989 and 2000). 

With respect to debating and public speaking, Brunei Darussalam was listed as one of the top 15 teams in the world in 1999 even though this was its first appearance in an international competition. Bruneian speakers also won the First Prize (Asia Pacific Cup) in the third Asia Pacific English presentation competition (Junior Division) the Best Speaker Award in the Asia Pacific Science Festival. 

Various awards have also been won by Bruneian students in the visual arts.  These would include Distinction Awards in the Asia Pacific Children’s Painting Competition and various awards at both merit and distinction levels in regional and international competitions. 

The Department also receives support from private agencies in the form of sponsorships and incentives such as  the award of the 'Tunas Harapan' for pupils who excel in  sports and the 'Outstanding Achiever' and 'Most Outstanding Achiever' for those who excel in  entrepreneurial and related schemes. 

SPECIAL EDUCATION 

Following an August 1993 decision to provide assistance to students with learning problems the Ministry of Education established the Special Education Unit in 1994. The Special Education Unit  is directed to organise services for pupils/students with special needs with the assistance of  Learning Assistance Teachers, School-Based Teams and  regular classroom teachers. 

The responsibilities of the Unit are: to set standards and to  assist in developing and implementing policies; to develop guidelines and procedures; to monitor trends in research and practice; to review and evaluate programs and services; to manage an array of services for students with special needs; to support professional development, and, to participate in long term planning and priority setting for special education in Brunei Darussalam.  The staff at the Unit includes psychologists and special educators all with qualifications and experience in special needs education.  

A special education program is based on an Individualized Education Plan (IEP) with specific goals and objectives which may follow the prescribed regular curriculum wherever feasible, and outlines services to meet the identified educational needs of individual students with special needs. It is also based on and modified by the results of continuous assessment and evaluation; and provides for instruction appropriate to student's individual learning levels. 

Students with special needs are those learners who require changes to any or all of the following: regular curriculum; staffing; instructional and evaluation strategies; material resources, and facilities and equipment. In addition, some students may require specialised services from other Ministries. Specially trained personnel provide special education services. One of the Unit's initial tasks to cater for this need was to design a course to train selected teachers to become Learning Assistance Teachers in government schools.  

The Unit is working very closely with the University of Brunei Darussalam to train teachers either in the Certificate, BEd. or MEd. Course in Special Education. 

Specialist teachers should have the Special Education Certificate as a minimum qualification  and additional specialist training.  The  Certificate of Special Education course is of fourteen months duration and 100 teachers have successfully completed the Course since January 1995.  The Course is a full-year equivalent, and covers eight subject areas.  The aim of the course is to provide at least one qualified Learning Assistance Teacher per school, to assist classroom teachers to teach children with learning problems more effectively.  

The  parent or guardian of a pupil/student with special needs can enroll their school-age child in any school and a special education program will be provided if the School-based Team and the Special Education Unit agree that there are sufficient resources and facilities available to serve the child with special needs. Schools will provide appropriate special education programmes for students identified in need of such  as soon as services can be made available. 

Students "at risk" of developing learning problems and those identified as having special needs are referred for further consultation and/or assessment to the Learning Assistant Teacher and the School-Based Team as the agents of intervention at the first level. Identifying those children with learning problems has necessitated a wide testing programme using and refining tests specially constructed by Unit staff for the national curriculum and social norms of the Brunei population. 

The Learning Assistant Teacher will involve parents, and where appropriate the student referred can be assessed on the basis of a variety of indicators, including the results of screening procedures, teacher assessment and observation, parent information, self referral, and intervention of other agencies. 

The Unit is also responsible for the establishment of a number of model schools where a comprehensive special educational system can be evolved and evaluated and including the identification of children with learning problems across the state; the development of remedial programmes for these children; and the development of preventive measures for the future. 

The Special Education Unit works closely with other Ministries and agencies concerned with the welfare of students with special needs and their families. 

The National Special Education Coordinating Committee, for example, includes representatives from the Ministry of Health, Culture, Youth and Sport, Home Affairs and Religious Affairs.  This Committee provides support in  identifying children with special needs and those who are receiving assistance from the various Ministries and those who are not. 

While the primary focus has been to identify and assist children with learning disabilities,  the demand for special education services is increasing due to the concept of Inclusive Education which began in 1997, where the Unit now assists in the provision of education for all children including those with hearing and/or visual impairments, mental retardation and those with physical disabilities.    

TEACHER EDUCATION AND DEVELOPMENT

 Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah Institute of Education 

The Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah Institute of Education was integrated with the University of Brunei Darussalam in 1988. The Institute's main purpose is the preparation of primary and secondary school teachers and educational administrators. In addition, it provides introductory courses for more specialised educational roles such as educational management, counseling, remedial teaching and curriculum design. 

The Institute's teaching programmes are guided in the belief that the professional education of teachers is an on-going process. It begins with a pre-service or initial phase of training and continues throughout the teachers' career through their participation in upgrading and in-service courses. The Institute therefore gives high priority to the upgrading of teachers' qualifications and to the provision of short in-service courses. 

The role of the Institute is to facilitate the development of professionals who are committed to the process of optimising the potential of  future generations in sustaining the development of Brunei Darussalam as a peace loving and progressive nation. 

The Institute's responsibility in teacher education is crucial for the overall quality of education in Brunei Darussalam. Essential to the successful pursuit of teaching according to today's standards, is knowledge of the nature of teaching and learning and of the process involved, of the function of education in a changing Asian-Islamic society, and of the management of educational institutions in accordance with modern educational thinking.   

The courses are designed to produce graduates who are well qualified as teachers and officers in a wide range of  positions. 

Another aim of the Institute is the acquisition and extension of the store of fundamental knowledge about education.  Through the continuous study of  problems in education by academic staff, the Institute hopes to add to the existing body of  knowledge about education, particularly in the context of Brunei Darussalam.  

It is through such contributions that the professional service of education is constantly improved. 

Finally, the Institute also aims to involve its staff and students in activities geared toward serving the community. Encouraging students to offer their services to the community is seen as one way to prepare them to become more caring and civic-conscious teachers and officers in education. 

The main objectives of the Institute are as follows: 

·         Human resources development.       By continuing to improve the effectiveness and efficiency of teaching and learning the Institute will endeavour, through pre-service as well as in-service and postgraduate teacher education, to develop skillful, informed and reflective educators who will be responsible for preparing future citizens to be entrepreneurial and community oriented in outlook. 

·         Curriculum development.

Through collaborative research and evaluation, the Institute will contribute to the progressive development of curriculum materials, not only for schools but also for teacher education that will be relevant to the future needs of society. 

·         Community development.

Through community-oriented activities, such as parental education, the Institute will help create an awareness within the community of the changes that education and teacher education is likely to undergo as well as the adjustments that need to be made at home and in the community to complement and supplement these changes. 

·         Technological development. 

Through active and pro-active exploration and exploitation of the rapidly accelerating advances in educational and information technology, the Institute will contribute towards the development of a future generation that will have the right attitudes to keep up with, if not to stay ahead of, the technological revolution that has already begun. 

The Institute offers a range of programmes at certificate, degree and  post-graduate levels in both the English and Malay medium and these include the following: 

English Medium 

   1)      Doctor in Philosophy (Ph D)

   2)      Master in Education specialising in: 

- Educational Management

- Science and Mathematics Education,

            - Art and Social Science Education,

            - Language Education

            - Guidance and Counseling

3)      Post-graduate Certificate in Education

4)      B.A Education

5)      B.Sc. Education

6)      Post-graduate Certificate in Technical Education

7)      B.A Primary Education

8)      B.Ed (in specialised areas)

9)      B.Ed (Lower Secondary Science)

10)       Diploma in Education

11) Certificate in Lower Secondary Science

 Malay Medium 

1)     B.A Education

2)            Certificate in Teaching of Malay Language

3)            Certificate in Educational Management

4)        Certificate in Special Education

5)            Certificate in Early Childhood Education

6)        Certificate in Counselling

 

TEACHER EDUCATION IN THE MINISTRY OF RELIGIOUS AFFAIRS 

A second teacher training college is administered by the Ministry of Religious Affairs.  

This institution prepares primary and secondary teachers for teaching Islamic Religious education programmes. It conducts a full-time 3 year Certificate-in-Education course.

TERTIARY LEVEL INSTITUTIONS

UNIVERSITI BRUNEI DARUSSALAM

      (The University Of  Brunei  Darussalam) 

The University of Brunei Darussalam  (UBD) opened its doors to the first intake of 176 local students in October 1985.  As the only national university it has developed immensely over the past 15 years and has a current  population of about 3,000 students. 

The University's academic programmes are offered in six faculties, namely Arts and Social Sciences, Science, Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah Institute of Education, Academy of Brunei Studies, Sultan Haji Omar Ali Saifuddien Institute of Islamic Studies and Business, Economics and Policy Studies (formerly Management and Administrative Studies).   

In April, 1999, the Faculty of Islamic Studies at the University was merged with the Institut Pengajian of the Ministry of Religious Affairs and renamed the Institut Pengajian Islam Sultan Haji Omar Ali Saifuddien.  This is now the second largest faculty at the University with a population of about 500 students.  

The aims of the Institute are to become  a centre of learning and research as well as to propagate Islamic knowledge in the region in order to  fulfil the needs of the nation and society for developing qualified graduates who are pious and well versed in Islamic Studies and the Arabic Language. 

Located close to the coast and with a commanding view of the South China Sea, the new campus, which was completed in 1994, is well equipped with state of the art facilities and equipment.  

During long vacations, facilities such as the Guest House, hostel accommodation, lecture halls, conference rooms and the various sports facilities are available for rental by the public  at competitive rates. 

Academic central services such as the Library, Computer Services Centre and the Educational Technology Centre provide invaluable support services to both  students and academic staff.   

Considerable investment in terms of money and  manpower have been  made to ensure adequate resources and the provision of high quality professional services to clients.  

The University library prides itself in having in its stocks more than 330,000 book titles and about 1000 serial titles.   Special Collections would include the Bruneian Collection, the Borneo Collection, Rare Materials, Manuscript Collections, Restricted Collection and the Collection of thesis or dissertations by graduates of UBD. 

The Computer Services Centre provides a campus-wide local area network that links up the computing resources in the university.  All  six faculties, 23 departments, 289 academic staff, 213 support staff, 3,000 students and 600 computer nodes are involved in the network.  This campus-wide network enables terminal users to gain access to  the central computing facilities, internet services and data transfers both within and outside the campus.   

The Educational Technology Centre provides high quality services to the entire University community particularly for the application of educational technology.  It offers not only media production for teaching and learning but also audio and video conferencing facilities. 

With 57 percent of its academic staff being expatriate, the University can rightly claim that its faculty members are internationally represented.  Many of the distinguished faculty members have made significant contributions in their particular  fields of research and their long experience has benefited the students and the University.  

To date, the University had successfully graduated some  4000 students and in doing so has added greatly to the intellectual human resources of the country.  

The University also encourages research and discussion among both academic staff and students.   Generous conference leave and grants are given to academic staff who wish to present their research findings at conferences locally or abroad.  In this way, the University has established an international reputation through the quality of its conferences, seminars and programmes offered, especially in the fields of Tropical Rain Forest Studies, Petroleum Geo-science and Education. 

INSTITUT TEKNOLOGI BRUNEI

(The Brunei Institute Of Technology) 

The Brunei Institute of Technology   (ITB) was  established in 1986 and for more than a decade was located on the campus of the Sultan Saiful Rijal Technical College. In 1998, it moved to its permanent campus located adjacent to the University of Brunei Darussalam.  The Higher National Diploma (HND) courses offered during this period  included Business and Finance, Computer Studies and Electrical and Electronic Engineering.

Since the subsequent move to its permanent campus, the Institute has expanded its HND course provision to meet the paradigm shift in technological developments.  Therefore,   HND courses in Civil and Mechanical Engineering were introduced in 1998 to satisfy the needs of business and industry.  The Electrical and Electronic Engineering Department also modified and expanded its provision in 1998 by introducing HND courses in Communication and Computer Systems Engineering, Electrical Power and Building Services Engineering.  The Computer Department, likewise, has also  expanded and introduced HND courses in Computing and Information Systems in 2000. In 2002 the Department will phase out  HND courses in Computer Studies to facilitate an expansion strategy and new course provisions.

The Institute has a complement of some 81 teaching staff and a student complement of some 548.

With the second phase of its development now underway the Institute will be better positioned to contribute to the provision of highly skilled individuals and to assist in the acceleration of human resources development as articulated in various national development plans. Additional courses will be introduced and further expansion made to the existing five departments, namely, Business and Finance, Computer Studies, Civil Engineering, Electrical Power and Building Services Engineering and Communications and Computer System Engineering  and Mechanical Engineering. 

As part of its expansion programme and in line with the needs of business and industry the proposed new courses will respond   to the Brunei Economic Development Plan and in particular for the provision of financial centres, a tourism industry and for the downstreaming of petro-chemical industries.  In view of these aims, the planning strategy of the Institute  entails both the  vertical and horizontal expansion of future courses.

One of the  primary objectives of the Institute is to cater to  a range of interests in technical and commercial education. In order to meet this objective, the Institute continually seeks close links with employers in both the public and private sectors with the purpose of determining their training needs and the appropriateness of the courses provided. 

Related to this objective is the Institute's goal to train men and women to be professionally competent, inspired and dedicated towards personal growth and service to the nation. 

Government scholarships are also available for study at the Institute.  These  offer financial assistance to students within various  international organisations and countries and to date scholarships that have been awarded would include those to  such international organisations as ISESCO,  the Commonwealth, and ASEAN, and to the countries as Sabah, Sarawak, Bosnia Herzegovina and Republic of Maldives. 

In a recent development, a number of  local financial organisations have signed Memoranda of Understanding  with the  Ministry of Education  offering student loans for further study, as an alternative to government scholarships.  The Institute  also intends to minimise dependence on the government sector for employment. A number of private sector organisations have expressed a willingness to sponsor potential students as well as graduates for both industrial training and employment. 

Since 1998, the Institute has introduced new courses that are now accredited by the Brunei Darussalam Technical and Vocational Education Council (BDTVEC),  These courses would include: the HND in Mechanical Engineering, Civil, Electrical, Power and Building Services Engineering, and Communication and Computer Systems Engineering.

           MAKTAB JURURAWAT   PENGIRAN ANAK PUTERI RASHIDAH SA’ADATUL BOLKIAH

(Pengiran Anak Puteri Rashidah Sa’adatul Bolkiah College of Nursing) 

The Pengiran Anak Puteri Rashidah Sa’adatul Bolkiah College of Nursing was established in 1986 to provide professional education for nurses in Brunei Darussalam in response to the increasing manpower demands of the expanding services in the health sector, and to accommodate the socio/cultural changes that are taking place in relation to the changes in the disease patterns and life styles of the population.  Currently the College also offers courses for overseas students through self or overseas funding agencies. 

The College has established linkages with other professional institutions, namely, the Department of Nursing Studies, University of Wales, College of Medicine in the United Kingdom.  This linkage has been forged with the College of Medicine so that it can act in an advisory capacity to ensure that the programme  enables students to achieve high levels of performance, expertise, knowledge and competence. The linkage also enhances the recognition and  credibility of the College in the international field.

The College has continued the training of nurses with an academic programme that encompasses the social and cultural values of the Bruneian community through the philosophy  of Malay Islamic Monarchy. The Ministry of Education and Ministry of Health are both committed to achieving this same goal.

The undergraduates of the College are given full student status in the same manner as other students in higher education in the country. This academic programme is further intended to provide opportunities for professional development in terms of nursing studies in higher education. In January 1991, the Board of Management of the College approved the award of a Diploma in Nursing upon successful completion of the College of Nursing course.

Besides the general nursing programme, the College also provides a postgraduate Diploma in advanced nursing and areas of study would include courses in   Critical Care, Accident and Emergency, Operating Theatre, Community Health Nursing, Midwifery, Therapeutic Nursing and Cranio-Maxillo Facial Surgical Nursing.

A programme to upgrade  Assistant Nurses is also being conducted via the Diploma in Nursing Conversion. A programme to convert the Diploma in Nursing to Degree level status is currently being planned.

Two new advanced nursing courses namely the Diploma in Anaesthetic Nursing  and the Diploma in Ophthalmic Nursing will be offered in January 2001.

Courses that are organised and conducted by the PAPRSB College of Nursing are accredited internationally through external moderation and linkages with institutions abroad.

Since the establishment of the College some 429 students have obtained the Diploma in Nursing whilst 63 Registered Nurses have been awarded with various Advanced Nursing Diplomas. Currently there are 514 students studying for the Diploma in Nursing while there are 58 Registered Nurses studying various courses in the advanced nursing programme.

The College offers to its students many opportunities to study for degrees and advanced courses abroad. This provides a competitive learning environment whilst at the same time encourages school leavers to choose nursing as a career.

The PAPRSB College of Nursing has also developed links with several overseas universities for the purpose of student secondment. The one year study abroad programme is seen as especially beneficial for students with the potential for leadership positions in clinical practice, management and teaching.

Since 1995 Commonwealth Scholarships have also been offered to students from Commonwealth countries to study at the College of Nursing to pursue the Diploma in Nursing programme.   To date,  some 13 students have been offered places to study at the College of Nursing. Countries of student origin include Thailand, Botswana, Sierra Leone, Nigeria, Zimbabwe, West Indies and recently Pakistan.

EDUCATIONAL FACILITIES, SUPPORT SERVICES AND STUDENT WELFARE

SCHOLARSHIP AWARDS 

Since the 1950's the Government has been granting scholarships to students to study overseas. However, with the establishment of higher educational institutions locally, namely, the University of Brunei Darussalam and the Brunei Institute of Technology, present government policy on scholarships will not allow for students to study at overseas institutions if those programmes are available locally.  Presently, students are sent overseas for courses such as Medicine,  Para-Medical, Dentistry, Engineering, Law and Architecture. 

The Scholarship Unit  of the Ministry of Education is responsible for:

 ·         Special Scheme Awards;

·         Ordinary Scheme Awards;

·         Royal Brunei Airlines Scheme Awards;

·         Brunei Darussalam Government Scholarship Awards for Commonwealth Countries;

·         Educational  subsidies; and,

·         Registration of  private students.

 (a) Scholarships for Local Students to Study Overseas

 The Special Scheme Award is   designed for students who have performed at the highest academic level in the Brunei Cambridge GCE 'O' Level examinations. These students are sent overseas to study pre-university courses in well established schools and would later undertake courses in medicine and education.   

The Scheme is aimed at nurturing and motivating potential students to strive for excellence in their studies. 

Ordinary Scheme Awards are  available  to eligible students for the purpose of pursuing postgraduate, undergraduate and Higher National Diploma (HND) studies overseas. 

The Ministry of Education, in the Royal Brunei Airlines Scheme Awards,  meets the cost of training incurred by Royal Brunei Airlines Cadet Pilots except  for the cost of transportation by air, which is borne by the Airline. 

These awards have been carefully designed and allocated according to the needs and requirements of the national manpower development programmes  with priority being  given to the requirements of the public sector. However the requirements of the private sector are also taken into consideration. 

(b)  Brunei Darussalam Government Scholarships Awards to Commonwealth Countries 

The award of scholarships by the Brunei Government to students of Commonwealth Countries was introduced in 1995. The aim of these scholarship awards is to provide students, who are citizens of  commonwealth countries, with the opportunity to study at UBD, ITB and the PAPRSB College of Nursing.  

With  effect from the year 2000, the Scholarship Section will be  responsible for processing applications for the Brunei Darussalam Government Scholarships to ISESCO Countries, the Maldives, Sabah, Sarawak, Southern Thailand and to Bosnia Herzegovina. 

(c)   Registration of Private Students 

The Scholarship section  is also receiving applications from students who wish to study overseas at their own expense. These students are required to register with the Scholarship Section before commencing their study. 

(d)      Educational Loans from the  Hongkong And Shanghai Banking Corporation (HSBC), Tabung Amanah Islam Brunei (TAIB) and the  Islamic Development Bank of Brunei (IDBB) 

The HSBC Education Loan Scheme was launched on 1 June 2000, TAIB on 10 July 2000 and IDBB on 6 September 2000. 

The primary aim of these loan schemesis to provide additional study opportunities to students of varied backgrounds who have the desire to further their education and in so doing, contribute to the continuing progress and development of Brunei Darussalam. 

The loans are jointly held in the name of the student and the parent or relatives. Both the HSBC and IDBB education loans are open to Brunei Citizens and Permanent Residents whilst the TAIB education loans are open only to Brunei Citizens. 

These Education Loan Schemes offer a wide range of degree courses in Brunei and overseas. 

For students who are Brunei citizens, the loans are linked to the Ministry of Education's incentive scheme which allows those who graduate with a Second Class Upper or a First Class Honours to have 25% and 50% respectively of the total loan refunded by the Ministry. 

The Ministry of Education will assist in the selection of students and will specify the eligible degree courses and approved academic institution. 

Apprenticeship Training Scheme 

The Apprenticeship Training Scheme (ATS) is a hands on training programme which prepares school leavers for employment in industry. It combines on-the-job training at a workplace with related off-the-job training at a technical education institution.  

Apprenticeship training provides an excellent base for school leavers to learn skills in an actual work situation and at the same time attend related classes at a technical education institution. Apprenticeship training is, therefore, a partnership between an apprentice, a technical education institution and an employer. This integrated mode of training is intended to ensure that the specific needs of the industry are met. 

The Department of Technical Education (DTE), Ministry of Education, recognizing the importance of apprenticeship training as an alternative mode of education and training for school leavers in Brunei Darussalam, set up the Apprenticeship and Trade Testing Section on 4th January 1999. Its tasks include the coordination of the development, implementation and evaluation of apprenticeship training programmes between the technical education institutions and employers. 

The following are the objectives of the ATS: 

·         To develop strong cooperation between employers and the Department of Technical Education in order to provide cost effective, relevant, quality education and training for school leavers; 

·         To provide an alternative structured preparation for the growth of individuals; 

·         To facilitate the process of transition from school to work;

 ·         To encourage local youth to take up employment in the private sector; and,, 

·         To support national objectives on human resource development. 

Four models have been identified for the ATS: 

Model 1: Full sponsorship, employment guaranteed on successful completion of  programme. 

Model 2:   Partial sponsorship (on-the-job training only), employment guaranteed on successful completion of programme. 

Model 3:  Full sponsorship, priority for employment on successful completion of programme. 

Model 4:   Partial sponsorship (on-the-job training only), priority for employment on successful completion of programme. 

Sponsorship in the above context refers to a subsistence allowance, insurance coverage and any other fringe benefits, provided by the participating company. 

The implementation of an ATS involves the signing of a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) between the participating company and the DTE or an institution under it. The MOA spells out the objective and areas of collaboration between each party and their responsibilities.  

Selected apprentices are also required to sign an Apprenticeship Training Agreement (ATA), which spells out the duration, training pattern, responsibilities, benefits and conditions of the apprenticeship training. 

The development, implementation and evaluation of each apprenticeship training programme is the responsibility of an Apprenticeship Training Advisory Committee (ATAC), whose members consist of personnel from the participating companies, the technical education institution and the DTE.  

Apprenticeship training programmes are awarded by the Brunei Darussalam Technical and Vocational Education Council. (BDTVEC).  

SPECIAL SCHEMES AND SERVICES  

A Planning and Programme Development Section within the Department of Technical Education was established in 1989. This section works in close co-operation with government agencies, business and industry organisations and the educational institutions.  Since its inception it has established the capacity to perform the following functions to varying degrees:  

i)    identifying training needs in technical and vocational education and training fields by liaising with representatives of both public and private economic sectors;  

ii)   planning and coordinating technical and vocational education programmes with manpower requirements;  

iii)   developing standards for the assessment of institutional training programmes;  

iv) designing and developing teaching and learning materials;  

v)   planning for facilities and the procurement of equipment; and,  

vi)  providing library and reference services to educational institutions including developed curriculum materials, test instruments, reference texts, audio visual tapes and other instructional devices.  

COUNSELLING AND CAREERS GUIDANCE

Counselling and careers guidance is currently the responsibility of a section within the Department of Schools. This section  originated from the Careers Guidance Section of the Scholarship and Welfare Unit of the then Department of Education.

The main function  of the Counselling and Careers Gui­dance Section   is to develop    guidance  and counselling  services  in  all  schools and colleges. It is also the responsibility of  the section  to ensure that such services are provided in all institutions.

Activities of the section include orientation programmes, dissemination of careers and educational information, educational/vocational guidance, work placement, visits, careers exhibitions and conventions.

Training courses and educational visits abroad for school heads and careers teachers are also planned and organised by this section.

SCHOOL HEALTH SERVICES

The School Health Service contributes significantly to health in a community.  It is a personal health service and its purpose is to promote, preserve and restore the health and functional capacity of students so as to enable them to obtain maximum benefit from their education.  

The school health team consists of a doctor, a school health nursing officer, and a nurse trained in school health activities provided by the Ministry of Health. A medical examination is carried out three times in a student's school life namely, at entry, on leaving primary school and once in secondary school. Review medicals are performed on children with special problems.

Screening for acuity vision, height and weight, health assessment and hygiene are carried out at entry and on leaving primary school, also in primary III, and once in secondary school.  

Colour vision tests are also carried out. Audiometry tests are carried out routinely in primary III, for all slow learners and at teacher's or parent's request. Immunisation comprises a repeater B.C.G. at 6 years; rubella at 12 years (girls only) and tetanus toxoid antigen at 15 years (girls only). If for any reason a child has not had his booster, C.D.T. and polio at 5 years, this is offered and given at school. The school health team participates and gives health education talks in the schools.  

They also liaise with all relevant government departments in the continuing care of the students with special needs.  

The Dental Services provide both school dental clinics and mobile dental clinics for school children.  A Target Group Concept was introduced in 1986 which aims at providing complete dental treatment for every primary II school intake; this is subsequently maintained by regular six-monthly recall visits.

SCHOOL FEEDING SCHEME

Brunei Darussalam introduced its first school feeding scheme as early as the 1940s. Its main aim was to improve the standard of nutrition for all pupils in schools.

At present, the government provides  drinks for 27,190  pupils in 91 primary schools  throughout the country.

The government also provides meals for 2,782  pupils in 32 primary schools in the suburban and rural  areas.

HOSTEL ACCOMMODATION

  The first hostel in Brunei Darussalam was built in 1954 with the purpose of accommodating pupils from rural areas who studied at schools in Bandar Seri Begawan (then Brunei Town).  

In an effort to cope with the increasing number of pupils who required accommodation, the government built more hostels.   

In the early 1970s, thirteen hostels had been built throughout the country.  However, by the mid 1980s, some of these hostels were closed  since  fewer students were requiring this provision.   

At present there are only six hostels in operation throughout the country.  The reasons for this would include the fact that firstly, many more schools have been built in rural areas and secondly, that there have been substantial improvements to road and transportation systems.  As a consequence, in 1998,  only 628 students required hostel accomodation.   

Food is provided free for students who live in hostels.  

TRANSPORT PROVISION 

Transport is provided to those students who live more than 8 kilometres from their schools.  Vehicles to transport students are either owned by the government or, alternatively, are hired from private companies.  Students who live outside designated bus service routes or those who attend double-sessions schools are eligible to apply for a monthly transport allowance of $45.00.   In 1998, 3,372 students were provided with transport to school  while some 2,661 students  received a  transport allowance.            

EDUCATIONAL RESOURCES CENTRE  

The formation of the Educational Resource Library dates back to 1st January 1981.  It was formed to provide a variety of educational resource library services for the purpose of research, reference and planning of teaching and learning strategies for officers, teachers and students in the Ministry of Education in particular, and for other users in general.  

LOAN OF TEXTBOOKS  

A uniform curriculum implies a uniform prescription of textbooks, supplementary and reference books in all schools. Basic textbooks, reference and supplementary textbooks are selected, evaluated, approved and prescribed by the Ministry of Education through the Department of Curriculum Development.  

A list of these books is produced and reviewed annually.  

Textbooks and workbooks have been produced by the Department, sometimes with the cooperation of established publishers.  

Textbooks, supplementary and reference books for government schools are supplied and financed by the Government of His Majesty the Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan Negara Brunei Darussalam. Non-government schools obtain their supplies from local bookshops.  

KUALA BELALONG FIELD STUDIES CENTRE  

Kuala Belalong Field Studies Centre in Temburong District, was built with the assistance of His Majesty's Government and Brunei Shell Petroleum Sdn Bhd in 1991.

Its primary focus was first to carry out joint research with the Royal Geographical Society of London, in order to provide base-line data for subsequent research at the Centre on tropical rain forests. As it is in close proximity to the National Forest Reserve, the Centre is popular to both researchers as well as schools and others particularly nature lovers from within the country and outside Brunei.

CfBT EDUCATION SERVICES

As part of the strategy to establish and develop the bilingual system of education, the Ministry of Education has been employing the services of CƒBT Sdn Bhd (the Centre for British Teachers) since 1985.

In cooperation with the Department of Schools, CƒBT Sdn Bhd on behalf of the Ministry of Education recruits and supports approximately 240 primary and secondary English language teachers.  Teachers are posted to schools in all four districts and are expected to conform to normal duties, regulations and directives set by the Head Teachers or Principals concerned.   

CƒBT’s Trustees in the UK provide ‘Queen Elizabeth II CƒBT Education Scholarships’ for Bruneians pursuing postgraduate qualifications in education or human resources development.

 SPECIAL PROJECTS

INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATIONS TECHNOLOGY (ICT)

In 1986, Awang Semaun Secondary School became the first school to introduce computer studies as an optional subject at the upper secondary level. Students were prepared for the ‘O’ level Brunei Cambridge General Certificate of Examination (BCGCE) in this subject. Since 1994, computer studies have been introduced as an optional subject to the lower secondary level in all the government secondary schools. IBM-compatible computers or PCs were widely purchased and used in these schools.  

In 1997, the Ministry introduced the Educational Information System (EIS). For this system to function, a set of computers including one printer is supplied to all government primary and secondary schools and higher educational institutions that have a telephone line and/or an electrical supply. This system was  developed to replace the PC-based Educational Statistics System.  

Under the Management of the Information Technology Section, Department of Planning, Research and Development, the Ministry provides continuous training to users of EIS in a computer training room at the Ministry.  

In the early part of 2000, and with the existing EIS infrastructure and equipment, the Department of Planning, Development and Research provided Internet and  e-mail services to selected senior officers. E-Mail service is also provided to all principals and headmasters/mistress in  government schools and to senior officers who are supplied with EIS computers.   

In 1999, the Ministry initiated and implemented the Primary School ICT Project in selected primary schools. In the first phase of the project, computers were supplied to 50 selected primary schools. Each primary school has a computer laboratory which is equipped with 13 peer-to-peer networked PCs.  

AL-QURAN DAN PENGETAHUAN AGAMA ISLAM (AL-QURAN AND ISLAMIC RELIGIOUS KNOWLEDGE)  

Al-Quran dan Pengetahuan Agama Islam (PAI) or Al-Quran and Islamic Religious Knowledge Project was implemented in 1994 in nine primary schools in Brunei and Muara District.  

The Project was implemented to fulfil the vision of His Majesty the Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam for all Muslim citizens in Brunei Darussalam  to learn how to recite Al-Quran.  This effort has now become the country's policy and objective.  

The main aim of the Project is to provide every pupil with a  knowledge of   Islamic values and to mould them in such a way that  they will always practise and respect Islam and develop into religious and loyal Muslims and know how to recite Al-Quran.  

Pupils study Al-Quran and Islamic Religious Knowledge for nine years, that is, six years in primary school and three years in lower secondary school. The syllabus content includes the following subjects: Al-Quran, Aqidah (Faith),  Syariah (Syara), Adab or  Akhlak (Manners or Character) and History.  

Starting January 2000, the project was introduced in secondary I classes in 10 secondary schools.

YOUNG ENTERPRISE SCHEME  

The Young Enterprise Scheme (YES) programme was introduced in 1997 in five secondary schools. This programme is sponsored by Brunei Shell Petroleum Company Sdn. YES is an entrepreneurial programme that introduces students to the basics of business and entrepreneurship development. All administrative and organisational matters of the YES are handled by YES Secretariat.  

YES works through companies set up by participants in their respective schools. The companies are simulations of real business companies. They are, however, simplified and scaled down to size, which are small enough to be manageable by  the participants. Fifteen to twenty students from Secondary IV are selected to form mini- companies.  

Each YES company has a Business Guide, which is produced by the YES Secretariat. The Guide contains all the documents needed for setting up and running a business, and which provides information needed to run a successful enterprise.  

The emphasis is on practical and responsible self-tuition by direct involvement and personal performance.  

To gain practical knowledge on relevant issues such as leadership, team work, motivation, creativity, self-development, discipline and finance, workshops and seminars are organised for the participants over the YES life cycle. All YES activities are confined to the participating schools' premises.  

To date, 15 secondary schools have taken part in this programme and over 800 students have benefitted from it.  

THE READING AND LANGUAGE ACQUISITION PROJECT

  The Reading and Language Acquisition (RELA) project was first introduced in 20 primary schools in 1989 and was initially implemented in primary 1 classes. Other schools were added annually. Owing to the positive results of the pupils who were following the Lower RELA programme, this programme was expanded into upper primary classes. In 1992, upper RELA (RELA for upper primary classes) was piloted in 12 schools.  

At present, all government primary schools have RELA in all their lower primary classes, and at least one level of upper RELA. By 2003, all schools will have the programme throughout the whole of upper primary.  

The aims of the project are:  

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