Brunei Education
Brunei education, till the recent past, was mainly based on Islamic forms of education. Madrasas or Islamic schools were the main centers of education in Brunei. But with time, the importance of western education was realized and now there are several modern schools in Brunei. Part of the money generated from the production and export of oil and natural gas is invested in the education system.
Brunei, education covers a wide array of subjects including history, geography, linguistics, computers, etc. Education in Brunei is under the control of the Ministry of Education of Brunei. Children, from the age of 5 to 16, in Brunei have to undergo compulsory education.
Brunei education is free at every level from elementary to high school.
University Brunei Darussalam
University Brunei Darussalam is the premier institute of Brunei for higher education. Offering post graduate programs in selected subjects, the university aims to improve and enhance the quality of higher education in the country and emphasizes on applied research. Located four and half kilometers away from the city center, the University Brunei Darussalam commenced operations in 1985.
University Brunei Darussalam of Brunei offers several programs which are :
- Masters Degree
- PhD Degree
- Diploma Lepas Ijazah
- First Degree
- PGCE
- Diplomas and Certificates
The various faculties of the University Brunei Darussalam are :
- Language Center where various languages like English, Malay, French, Arabic, etc are taught.
- Institute of Medicine which offers courses in medical science, biological science, health care etc.
- Science which covers mathematics, biotechnology, electronics etc.
- Business Economy and Policy Studies that include business administration, accounting, public policy etc.
- Arts and Social Science that includes programs like B.A, M.A etc.
- Sultan Haji Omar Ali Saifuddien Institute of Islamic Studies.
- Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah Institute of Educational.
- Academy of Brunei StudiesPB
The University Brunei Darussalam in Brunei has an efficient administration and student bodies, for an all-round development of the students. The university also houses a well-furnished library. Having a number of centers, University Brunei Darussalam is a step towards new generation education.
Schools in Brunei
Schools in Brunei are distributed all over the country and provide primary and secondary education to the children. The first school in Brunei, a Malay vernacular school in the capital, introduced formal education in the country. Since then a large number of schools in Brunei have been established. Vernacular schools were opened at various places in Brunei by 1918. Education in these schools was limited and provided in Malay.
The number of Brunei schools had increased by 1941 and there were Vernacular, English and Chinese schools. After the establishment of the Ministry of Education, the schools in Brunei witnessed a substantial growth in quantity and quality. The enrollment of the pupils increased and new educational policies were being introduced and implemented.
Presently the schools of Brunei provide education in English, Malay or Chinese. The government schools in Brunei provide free primary education to all the citizens of the country. The schools consist of four terms and cover a wide array of subjects including history, geography, science, computers, mathematics, physical training, religious studies, art and craft etc. All the schools follow the same curriculum that is provided by the Ministry of Education.
Some of the schools in Brunei are :
- St. George’s School
- St. Margaret’s School
- Jerudong International School
- The International School Brunei
- Brunei International School
Schools form the backbone of education in any country. One of the best and most important schools in Brunei is the Brunei International School. The school, established in the year 1964, conforms to international regulations and keeps up with the changing face of global education. With an international recognition, qualified teachers and a large number of students from various countries of the world, Brunei international school is a secondary home for children where knowledge is imparted and values are nurtured.
International School Brunei follows a series of policies ranging from students dress code to students rights, medical policy, health and safety policy, provisional admissions policy etc. Admission to the school demands certain requirements. The Brunei international school admits students from an age of 4 years 18 years. The tuition fees are non refundable and are based on school terms.
The primary school is from pre-kindergarten to standard 6. The curriculum of secondary school includes subjects like English, Mathematics, Humanities, Science, Performing Arts, Technology and PSE. Catering to students from various cultural and ethnic groups, the International School of Brunei maintains a uniform standard of rules and regulations.
Besides academics, the school also comprises various student bodies and programs for the enhancement of the talents of the students and for providing them with a platform to display their potentials.
Brunei Ministry of Education
Brunei has a well-developed educational system that is governed by the Brunei ministry of education. The principal aim of the Ministry of Education in Brunei is the development of education in the country. With the introduction of the ministry, education in the country witnessed a substantial growth.
The 5-year development plan for education, launched in Brunei in 1954, was the first step for the creation the Brunei ministry of education. Later in 1970, an Education Commission was established which formed the basis of the current Ministry of Education of Brunei.
Brunei’s Ministry of Education is responsible for the formation and the implementation of various educational policies in Brunei like the National Education Policy of 1962, National Education System (1985) etc. Education, at all levels, has been made free for the people of Brunei.
The efficiency of the Brunei ministry of education has been proved by the rise of literacy rate from 69% to 92%. From providing funds to prescribing the curriculum, the Brunei ministry of education covers all the aspects related to the governance of the schools and universities of Brunei. The ministry ensures that the people of the country receive an all-round knowledge and yet remain connected to the traditional and the religious values of the land.
Brunei Libraries
The first library of Brunei was established in 1953 by the Information Service department. The collection of this library consisted of several books, periodicals, newspaper cuttings and leaflets. Since then, Brunei libraries have undergone a substantial expansion in terms of quantity and collection.
Though Brunei has no national library, there are well-equipped public libraries in Brunei. One of the major libraries of Brunei is the Dewan Bahasa dan Pustaka which has emerged as the main source of books and information in Brunei. Established in 1963, the Dewan Pustaka has several branches located in the districts of Brunei and also has a Mobile Library. It offers a number of services and facilities like the loan facility, information and reference service, photocopy service etc.
