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Borneo Bulletin Yearbook 2019
Arabic and Religious Schools
In 2012, His Majesty Sultan Haji Hassanal
Bolkiah Mu’izzaddinWaddaulah ibni Al-Marhum
Sultan Haji Omar ‘Ali Saifuddien Sa’adul Khairi
Waddien, Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei
Darussalam implemented the Compulsory
Religious Education Order, emphasising the
importance of Islamic knowledge in young
students as religious knowledge serves as a
foundation to uphold the national philosophy of
Malay Islamic Monarchy (MIB). Under this order,
it is compulsory for Muslim children aged seven
to 15 to attend religious school.
There are 159 religious schools in Brunei, from
pre-school to primary level. Religious education
is provided at three private schools: Jerudong
International School, Yayasan Sultan Haji
Hassanal Bolkiah School and International
School Brunei.
Arabic and religious schools in Brunei are
different from other educational institutions.
These schools are under the leadership of the
Ministry of Religious Affairs, collaborating with
the Ministry of Education to develop a suitable
curriculum.
Arabic schools in Brunei offer two core
curriculums: the national curriculum for general
subjects and the Ma’had Buhuth al-Islamiah
curriculum from Egypt for religious subjects and
Arabic language. These curriculums are based
on the National Education System for the 21
st
Century (SPN21) to produce students equipped
with skills in line with the 21
st
Century.
There are seven Arabic schools in Brunei: four
in Brunei-Muara and one each in Belait, Tutong
and Temburong. Religious schools start from
pre-school. Education in Arabic schools begins
in Year Five and is offered until pre-university
level for male students and Year 11 for female
students.
The recently built Raja Isteri Pengiran Anak
Hajah Saleha Girls Arabic Religious Secondary
School can accommodate 1,800 students and
150 staff members. The institution is equipped
with 72 classrooms, 12 science laboratories,
and five computer rooms. Its main feature is a
circular building with a dome featuring a five-
star skylight as its centrepiece.
Raja Isteri Pengiran Anak Hajah Saleha Girls Arabic Religious Secondary School