Brunei Darussalam’s education system is renowned for its strong emphasis on academic excellence and its commitment to adapting to the evolving needs of its increasingly diverse population.
The Ministry of Education (MoE) launched its 2023-2027 Strategic Plan embodying its steadfast dedication to enhancing the quality of education and cultivating a highly skilled workforce. This initiative is driven by the promotion of innovative teaching and learning approaches and the fulfilment of the diverse requirements of students.
As the ministry sets forth on this transformative educational voyage, the strategic objectives serve as beacons, directing the ministry towards a future characterised by excellence and continuous advancement.
The strategic plan places a strong emphasis on cultivating an ecosystem that encourages and rewards innovative approaches to teaching and learning. By embracing emerging technologies, interactive learning methodologies, and collaborative initiatives, educators and students are empowered to explore new frontiers of knowledge. This empowerment can be realised by offering learners a personalised educational experience catering to their individual needs.
The strategic plan emphasises the institution’s dedication to enhancing the employability of its graduates by equipping them with practical skills, industry knowledge, and real-world experiences, including soft skills such as communication, critical thinking, teamwork, and problem-solving. These skills not only enhance employability but also shape individuals who can contribute meaningfully to the society, regardless of their chosen career paths.
Embedded within the strategic plan are three main goals that will guide the ministry’s collective efforts. The pursuit of a future-ready workforce, cultivation of an innovative ecosystem, and empowerment of human resources form the cornerstones of the roadmap. These goals reflect the ministry’s commitment to a learning environment that is agile, responsive, and conducive to holistic growth.
The country has also achieved high levels of enrolment in the primary and secondary sectors, thanks to the Compulsory Education Order which ensures learners remain in education. The National Education System for the 21st Century (SPN21) provides multiple pathways, enabling students to maximise their potential. Enrolment in secondary education maintains a positive rate of approximately 100 per cent, indicating a high level of participation.
The results of the Primary School Assessment (PSR) for government primary schools have shown a steady increase, with 48.4 per cent of students obtaining A-C grades in 2012, rising to 76 per cent in 2021. However, in 2022, the performance saw a decline, dropping to 61.1 per cent.
During the same period, GCE ‘O’ Levels results experienced an increase of 23.9 percentage points, going from 32.6 per cent of candidates obtaining five GCE ‘O’ Levels in 2012 to 56.5 per cent in 2021. Nevertheless, in 2022, the performance decreased to 45.8 per cent.
In the case of government schools’ PSR performance from 2012 to 2022, there was a notable increase. However, in 2022, there was a decline in performance, with 74.0 per cent of students obtaining three or more ‘A’ Levels.
The global impact of COVID-19 led to school closures, affecting 1.6 billion children worldwide between the end of 2019 and May 2022. In Brunei, school closures totalling 185 school days created learning gaps, despite the best efforts to mitigate their effects. These closures have had a significant impact on performance in the three public examinations.
Early childhood to tertiary education
In its commitment to nurturing the complete potential of every child, the MoE consistently assesses and refines the education system. This proactive approach is aimed at aligning with the evolving needs and future challenges of the nation, and, most significantly, ensuring that the educational framework accommodates each child’s diverse abilities and aptitudes.
Obtaining a strong foundation in education begins with pre-primary education. The Gross Enrolment Ratio at the pre-primary level has consistently been around 69 per cent. The MoE has been diligently working to promote Early Childhood Education and will maintain its commitment to pursuing the objectives outlined in Sustainable Development Goal 4.
The educational framework prioritises key subjects such as Islamic Religious Knowledge (IRK), Nationhood Education, Literacy, Numeracy, Science, Physical Education, Social Studies, and Technology Arts and Culture. Following the adoption of SPN21, English is the medium of instruction for all subjects except for Bahasa Melayu, IRK, and Malay Islamic Monarchy (MIB).
Formal education commences at the preschool stage at the age of five. From the age of six, students undergo six years of primary education before progressing to the secondary level. Throughout this period, all students follow a common curriculum, culminating in the PSR at the end of Year 6.
For students identified with special educational needs, a tailored curriculum is devised based on the Individualised Education Plan (IEP) and Remedial Education Plan (REP). The former caters to students with high support needs, necessitating curriculum adaptations and modifications, as well as adjustments to learning and teaching strategies.
The latter is designed for students facing challenges in foundational skills like literacy and numeracy.
In 2008, the MoE Special Education Unit introduced the Model Inclusive Schools Project, also known as Centres of Excellent Services for Children, implemented in selected primary and secondary schools. The project aims to establish exemplary inclusive schools capable of addressing the needs of students with special requirements.
Nine primary and secondary schools have been designated as Model Inclusive Schools (MIS), each equipped with special rooms and facilities to support the development of students’ life skills.
The lower secondary level, on the other hand, spans two years of a shared curriculum, specifically Year 7 and Year 8. Upon completion of Year 8, students undergo the Student Progress Examination (SPE).
Within the framework of the General Secondary Education Programme and Applied Secondary Education Programme, students undergo examinations for the Brunei Cambridge General Certificate of Education (BC GCE) ‘O’ Level and International General Certificate of Secondary Examination (IGCSE).
For those enrolled in the Special Applied programme, the focus is on the Pearson Business and Technology Education Council (BTEC) programme, specialising in vocational and technical education.
The Special Educational Needs programme at the secondary level is an extension of IEP initiated in primary schools. A notable component of this programme is the pre-vocational programme, designed as a five-year initiative catering to the specific needs of identified students with special educational requirements at the secondary level.
In addition to enhancing their fundamental academic, living, and social skills, the programme aims to impart vocational and work skills through targeted work placements.
Completion of the pre-vocational programme is geared towards fostering independence in individuals as they strive towards realising their maximum potential.
Post-secondary Education
One of MoE’s major strategies is to provide multiple pathways in increasing access into higher education.
A variety of schemes have been developed to ensure there is opportunity to enrol into higher education in the private sector, such as Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) Scheme, Technical and Vocational Education Scholarship Scheme (BPTV) and Education Loan Assistance Scheme (SBPP), on top of the scholarship provided into the public institutions.
The initiative is in tandem with manpower planning strategies to ensure a steady and balance flow of manpower into the nation’s priority industries. In 2022, the higher education system provided an array of programmes across multiple fields and levels totalling to 388 programmes.
This number excludes those offered at the Lifelong Learning Centre, which hosts reskilling and up-skilling training totalling to 130 programmes.
Providing quality education is the ministry’s vision and quality assurance is a critical mission for higher education. Presently, all five public higher education institutions in Brunei Darussalam under the ministry’s purview have successfully acquired the ISO 9001:2015 certification, demonstrating the institutions’ consistent provision of quality services and products.
This assurance initiative is extended into the private institutions with the adoption of the Higher Education Quality Assurance Framework, in the hopes that all higher education institutions in the country are of high quality.
Sixth form colleges
Students possessing the requisite ‘O’ Level qualifications can enrol in a twoyear pre-university programme designed to culminate in the Brunei Cambridge Advanced Level Certificate of Education (BCGCE ‘A’ Level) examination.
This pre-university education equips students for admission to local and international universities and higher education institutions in Brunei Darussalam.
Depending on their proficiency in English language as demonstrated by their ‘O’ Level grades, all preuniversity students are mandated to undertake English language studies at an appropriate level. Options include the ‘A/S’ Level General Paper, Thinking Skills, English AS, English Language, and English Literature, or ‘O’ Level English.
Students have the flexibility to select a combination of three or more ‘A’ Level subjects from approved subject combinations.
Government aid and scholarship opportunities
The MoE in Brunei is responsible for the development and implementation of education policies and programmes in the country. One of the key areas of focus for the ministry is ensuring that all students have equal access to education, regardless of their socioeconomic background. To this end, the ministry offers a range of government aid and scholarship opportunities to support students from disadvantaged families.
Through the Brunei Government Overseas Scholarship Scheme, the ministry provides scholarships for talented and qualified students to pursue higher education abroad, whether to pursue their first degree, master’s, professional or Doctor of Philosophy (PhD).
Aside from the Brunei Government Overseas Scholarship Scheme, students are able to study abroad through the Education Loan Assistance Scheme (SBPP). If a recipient successfully graduates with a First Class (Honours), the loan is treated as a scholarship and the recipient is not required to repay it.
Other scholarships include the prestigious Sultan’s Scholar Scholarship Scheme offered by Yayasan Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah for the highest achievers in the country. Bruneians also have the opportunity to obtain a scholarship under the Ministry of Defence to study at the world’s top and renowned universities. The scholarship is aimed to develop outstanding leaders who will contribute to the nation’s defence and security.