The Education Structure and School
System
Overview
The
mission of the Ministry of Education is to provide holistic education to
achieve the fullest potential for all by giving quality education to our
children, the future of Brunei Darussalam. To meet future challenges in
an ever changing world, the Ministry has developed a vision of ‘Quality
education towards a developed, peaceful and prosperous nation’. We
believe this vision will realise the nation’s aspirations and produce
citizens who are committed and capable of contributing towards the
continued growth, stability and prosperity of the country.
In
its endeavour to develop the fullest potential of the child, the
Ministry of Education continuously reviews the education system in order
to meet with the demands and future challenges of the nation and, more
importantly, to cater to every child’s ability and aptitude. For this,
the Ministry has devised ten-year strategic objectives (2006 – 2015)
prioritising human resource development in order to meet Brunei
Darussalam’s need for an educated and marketable workforce. The
education system also aims to inculcate sound moral values as a strong
foundation in an era of rapid progress and change.
The
Ministry of Education has a policy of providing a minimum of 12 years of
education. This comprises 7 years in primary education (inclusive of 1
year in pre-school) and 5 years in secondary. In view of the importance
of education in the life of an individual, the Ministry of Education is
also in the process of making education compulsory for every child.
The
education system places strong emphasis on literacy, numeracy, science,
physical education, as well as civics and moral education. The bilingual
policy introduced in 1984 enables the child to acquire the national
language, Malay, and English. Proficiency in the latter enables the
child to access a greater mass of information in this globalised world.
School children are also exposed to ICT skills to promote creativity,
independent learning and enhance higher order thinking skills.
Primary
Education
At the
primary level, pupils go through a year at pre-school before proceeding
to lower primary (primary I – 3) and later to upper primary (primary 4 –
6). The overall aim of primary education is to give children a firm
foundation in the basic skills of literacy and numeracy as well as to
provide opportunities for their personal growth and character
development.
To
nurture children’s abilities, the primary curriculum puts emphasis on
basic communication, literacy, numeracy and Information Communication &
Technology (ICT) skills. This aims to mould and develop the students’
character and thinking ability, whilst encouraging creativity,
independence and social skills. The spiritual and moral themes embedded
within the curriculum help to develop the pupils, while fostering
adherence to the Islamic way of life.
Subjects
taught at the lower primary level are: Bahasa Melayu (including Jawi
script), English Language, Mathematics, Pelajaran Am (General Studies),
Pengetahuan Agama Islam (Islamic Religious Knowledge), Pendidikan
Jasmani (Physical Education), Lukisan (Art) and Sivik (Civics). At
Primary Four, 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 with the addition
of a few other subjects taught in Arabic.
The
upper primary curriculum strengthens the basic skills of students in
formal education and bilingual competence. The instruction is more
formal. Learning is oriented towards the study and understanding of
information related to the surroundings and environment of the students
themselves. Subjects in the upper primary curriculum include Bahasa
Melayu, English Language, Mathematics, Science, Sejarah (History),
Geography, Islamic Religious Knowledge, Physical Education, Art and
Handicrafts, and Civics. At the end of upper primary, students are
prepared to cope with the wider variety of subjects offered in the
secondary curriculum.
At
the end of their primary education, students (including those attending
Arabic Schools) sit for the Primary School Assessment or Penilaian
Sekolah Rendah (PSR) before entering the lower secondary level.
Secondary Education
The
secondary level follows a two-phase stage: lower secondary and upper
secondary.
The
lower secondary level covers three years of education at the end of
which students sit for the Lower Secondary Assessment or Penilaian
Menengah Bawah (PMB) examination. At the start of their secondary
education, students are placed in either the mainstream or Level II
programme according to how they perform at PSR. The different curricular
emphases cater to the different learning abilities and inclinations. It
is the aim of lower secondary education to prepare students for upper
secondary and vocational/technical education and training.
The
majority of students will proceed to ‘O’ level following the mainstream
curriculum whilst the Level II caters for those who are motivated by a
vocationally-oriented curriculum.
The
Level II lower secondary curriculum is devised as an alternative
programme for students who are more inclined towards
vocationally-oriented studies especially those who have sat for PSR
twice and are still not able to fulfill the minimum passing rate.
Designed to enable students to explore their abilities and develop their
vocational/technical potential, the Level II curriculum consists of core
and optional subjects.
As of
2006, the PMB Level II Examination has been discontinued. Assessment of
students in the Level II programme is now wholly school-based and
carried out on a continuous and less formal basis.
For
Bahasa Melayu, Islamic Religious Knowledge and MIB, all lower secondary
students cover the same curriculum.
A new
subject known as Al-Quran and Islamic Religious Knowledge (Al-Quran dan
Pengetahuan Agama Islam – PAI) was introduced in selected secondary
schools in January 2000. This was piloted in selected primary schools in
1994.
|
Lower Secondary |
|
Mainstream subjects
Compulsory
and examinable subjects
Compulsory but non-examinable subjects
Electives (optional and examinable subjects)
|
Bahasa Melayu, English Language,
Mathematics, Science, Islamic Religious Knowledge, History and
Geography
Melayu Islam Beraja (MIB or Malay
Islamic Monarchy), Physical Education (PE) and Co-curriculum
Computer Studies, Agriculture, Home
Science, Commercial Studies, Woodwork, Technical Drawing,
Metalwork, Music, Art & Design, Design and Technology, and a
third language (Arabic, Chinese or French).
All subjects are taught in English
except for Islamic Religious Knowledge, MIB, Art and Handicrafts
and the third language. |
|
Level
II subjects
Core subjects (Mathematics, English and
Science comprise 70% of the topical content in the regular lower
secondary academic curriculum)
Modular-based optional subjects |
Bahasa Melayu (Malay language), English
Language, Mathematics, Science, Geography, Islamic Religious
Knowledge, MIB and Physical Education.
Metalwork, Woodwork, Commercial Studies,
Art and Handicrafts, Agriculture, Home Science, and Technical
Drawing.
|
Upper
Secondary -
Based on their PMB performance, students in the
mainstream curriculum are placed in either the Science or Arts Stream.
Level II students follow the Secondary Vocational Programme (Program
Menengah Vokasional - PMV). The duration of schooling at these levels
is either two or three years.
Education at the
upper secondary level is general in nature with some provision for
specialisation in science, arts and technical fields. At the end of the
second year, high academic achievers may sit for the Brunei-Cambridge
GCE Ordinary level (GCE ‘O’ Level) examination.
As of 2006, apart
from the National Vocational Certificate (NVC) in Clerical Studies,
other options available to PMV students are the National Trade
Certificate Grade 3 (NTC3) in various vocational subjects. The PMV
programme spans a period of 2 years, consisting of a 6-month foundation
course, a one-year NVC/NTC3 course and a six-month attachment. All
subjects are taught in English except Kemahiran Bahasa Melayu,
Tarbiah Islam and Bimbingan Asas Etika Kerja.
Students who have
successfully completed PMV will be awarded a certificate in BDTVEC NVC
or NTC3 which is recognized by the National Accreditation Council and
the Public Service Commission.
|
Upper Secondary |
|
‘O’ level
Subjects compulsory for all
students
The fourth compulsory and examinable
subject for the Arts stream may be chosen from this group
or category
Science
stream
optional subjects (to select 2 or 3 subjects)
Arts stream optional subjects
|
Bahasa Melayu, English Language,
Mathematics and one other examinable subject.
Agriculture, Combined Science
Physics, Chemistry, Biology, Additional
Mathematics, Geography and Economics/Principles of Accounts.
In addition, students in the Science
stream are allowed to choose one subject from the following:
History, Literature in English, Kesusasteraan Melayu (Malay
Literature), Islamic Religious Knowledge, Art, a third language
(Arabic, Chinese or French), Computer Studies, Food and
Nutrition, and Economics.
Geography, History, Literature in
English, Economics, Principles of Accounts, Commerce /
Commercial Studies, Science / Combined Science/ Biology, Food
and Nutrition, Home Management, Fashion and Fabrics, Malay
Literature, Arts & Design, Islamic Religious Knowledge, a third
language (Arabic, Chinese or French), Agricultural Science,
Woodwork,, Food and Nutrition, Commercial Studies and
Economics,, Food and Nutrition, Commercial Studies and Economics
|
|
Secondary Vocational Programme
(PMV)
|
First stage (foundation)
Computer Applications; Language and
Communications; Foundation Mathematics; Kemahiran Bahasa Melayu
(Malay Language Skills); Tarbiah Islam and Bimbingan Asas Etika
Kerja (Basic Work Ethics Guidance) and Science and Technology.
Second stage
NVC in Clerical Studies
NTC3 in Plumbing and Pipefitting,
Painting and Decorating, Bricklaying and Concreting,, Crops
Production and Fish Husbandry.
|
To
cater to the varied talents and aptitudes of students, a number of other
routes are available to secondary school students based on their
performance at PSR.
Science
schools
Entry
into the Paduka Seri Begawan Sultan Science College or Pengiran Jaya
Negara Secondary School is based on offer being made to students (who
are citizens) with straight As in all the five subjects in PSR.
Sports School
Students with athletic and/or sports inclinations may opt to go to the
Sports School after their PSR. For entry, a student will need to pass an
aptitude test and be either a citizen or permanent resident.
Privately-funded
Schools
Privately-funded schools provide more choice and variety for students in
Brunei. They also represent added sources of ideas and innovative
practices in education. Private schools account 30 per cent of the
number of educational institutions in this country. A few international
schools like the Jerudong International School (JIS) and International
School Brunei (ISB) have also established themselves in the education
landscape offering a British curriculum (ISB offers a modified version
of the National Curriculum of England) where pupils work towards GCSE
and A-level / International Baccalaureate (IB) qualifications.
Post-Secondary Education
Vocational Schools
Sultan Bolkiah
Vocational School, Nakhoda Ragam Vocational School, Pusat Latihan
Mekanik (Mechanic Training Centre), Business School and Wasan
Vocational School were established to provide a variety of craft courses
to students completing PMB and showing potential and ability in craft
and vocational skills. The main objective of these schools is to produce
a skilled labour force to meet the nation's man-power needs in line with
modern challenges and technologies. Courses on offer include
Electrical and Electronics, Clerical Studies, Furniture
Making, Plumbing, Hairdressing, Carpentry, Bricklaying and Concreting,
Painting and Decorating, Crops Production and Fish Husbandry.
Sixth form
colleges
Students who have
the necessary ‘O’ Level qualifications may proceed to do a two-year
pre-university course leading to the Brunei-Cambridge Advanced Level
Certificate of Education examination (GCE 'A' Level).
Pre-university
education prepares students for entrance to universities and other
higher education institutions in Brunei Darussalam and overseas.
Depending
on their English Language ‘O’ Level grades, all pre-university students
are required to take English Language at an appropriate level such as
the *‘A/S’ Level General Paper, Thinking Skills, English A.S., English
Language & Literature or ‘O’ Level English.
Students may
choose a combination of three or more ‘A’ Level subjects according to
approved subject combinations.
Note
: A.S – Advanced Subsidiary
|
Science stream subject options
Arts stream options
|
Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry, Biology.
Geography, Economics, Business Studies, Accounting and Art &
Design may be taken as an additional fourth subject.
Mathematics, History, Economics, Accounting, English
Literature, Geography, Bahasa Melayu, Arts & Design, Sociology,
Business Studies, Usuluddin and Syariah). |
Higher Education
Technical & Engineering Colleges
Sultan Saiful Rijal Technical College and Jefri Bolkiah College of
Engineering are post-secondary institutions which equip secondary school
leavers and working adults with technical skills and knowledge to meet
the manpower needs of various industrial sectors. These institutions
have well-established links with the private sector. They provide full
time institutional training programmes which also incorporate
apprenticeship programmes and work attachment in relevant industries.
More
information on the colleges can be found at:
http://www.mtssr.edu.bn
http://www.mkjb.edu.bn
Pengiran Anak Puteri Rashidah College of Nursing
As a
tertiary nursing and Midwifery educational institution, the college
offers the Pre-Registration Diploma in Nursing and Midwifery which
includes conversion programmes and Advanced Diploma in Nursing for
registered nurses. Entrants will need to comply with a minimum
requirement of 5 relevant ‘O’ level subjects.
Pengiran Anak Puteri Rashidah College of Nursing
As
a tertiary nursing and midwifery educational institution, the college
offers the Pre-Registration Diploma in Nursing and Midwifery which
includes conversion programmes and Advanced Diploma in Nursing for
registered nurses. Entrants will need to comply with a minimum
requirement of 5 relevant ‘O’ level subjects.
Institut
Teknologi Brunei
(ITB)
The
institute was set up to ensure a broad-based training for youths
inclined towards practice-oriented studies at Higher National Diploma
level. Geared towards people with ‘A’ level and OND qualifications, ITB
also caters for in-service training and offers courses in Business &
Finance, Computing & Information Systems, Communication and Computer
Systems, and Electrical Power and Building Services Engineering.
More
information on ITB can be found at:
http://www.itb.edu.bn
Universiti Brunei Darussalam(UBD)
Being
the only university in the Sultanate, UBD’s roots date back to 1985.
From a modest beginning, it has now grown to offer disciplines like the
sciences, business, economics and policy studies, engineering, medicine
and social sciences. The Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah Institute of Education
(SHBIE) is a faculty within UBD which offers initial teacher training as
well as in-service teacher training programmes.
More
information on UBD can be found at:
http://www.ubd.edu.bn
Other Information
Co-Curricular Activities
Apart
from the formal school curriculum, students participate in co-curricular
activities (CCAs) which provide healthy recreation, instill
self-discipline, and nurture leadership, teamwork and confidence. CCAs
have been a constant area of growth and are intended to provide for
character development and physical growth in each student.
The
CCAs range from sports and games, uniformed organisations, music, to
various clubs like photography and computer.
School facilities
The
Ministry strives to ensure that schools are equipped with facilities
intended for a balanced education. Apart from libraries, special rooms
are allotted for ICT, science laboratories, home science, and art.
Other
facilities include multi-purpose halls and sports amenities like track
and field, netball, football, futsal and takraw courts.
School
Fees and Miscellaneous Fees
Children attending primary level do not have to pay school fees. They
pay a nominal amount for miscellaneous fees, which schools use to help
finance certain activities and special programmes. Students at secondary
and pre-university levels pay subsidized school fees.
Citizens who attend private schools at the primary and secondary levels
may also apply for an education allowance. Students will need to be at
least 5 years old to be eligible.
The school year
The
school year consists of 4 terms of around 10 to 12 weeks each. The
academic year begins on 02 January with a 4-week break at the end of the
year. Subject to minor changes, the school terms are generally as
follows:
Term
1: Early January – Mid March
Term 2: Late March – Mid June
Term 3: Late June – End of August
Term 4: Mid September – End of November
Educational
Structure and System Chart
