EDUCATION

SYSTEM IN BRUNEI
DARUSSALAM
BY: GERALD A. MULTO
Brunei Darussalam
“Abode of Peace”
 THE
COUNTRY
FLAG
THE SULTAN OF BRUNEI

SULTAN HAJI HASSANAL BOLKIAH

MU'IZZADDIN WADDAULAH
THE MINISTER OF
EDUCATION

ROMAIZZAH MOHD SALLEH

WHERE IS BRUNEI?
Present Education System
in Brunei Darussalam
SISTEM PENDIDIKAN
NEGARA ABAD KE-21
(SPN 21)
•The National Education System for the
21st Century (January 2009).
 SPN 21 aims to:
meet the social and economic challenges of the 21st
Century
realize the Ministry of Education's vision and
mission
equip students with 21st Century skills
raise the quality of education in line with
current/contemporary needs and the anticipated
needs in future years
uphold and develop desired values and attitudes
amongst students in line with the Malay Islamic
Monarchy or Melayu Islam Beraja (MIB)
 Rationale for Change:
Brunei Vision 2035
By 2035, Brunei Darussalam is recognized
everywhere for:
o The accomplishment of its well-educated and
highly skilled people.
o The quality of life
o The dynamic and sustainable economy
 Rationale for Change:
8 policy directions in the Education Strategy, Brunei
Vision 2035
Fulfillment of the Ministry of Education's mission
'Provide Holistic Education To Achieve Fullest
Potential For All'
Comparison with Education Systems and Curricula of
various countries
Raising students' achievement in the 3 core subjects:
English Language, Mathematics and Science.
 low English Language proficiency;
 poor performances in mathematics and the sciences
 Rationale for Change:
Increasing the percentage of students'
enrollment into higher education.
Strengthen proficiency in Bahasa
Melayu.
Local researchers and consultants from
overseas have identified certain aspects
of the National Education System that
need to be improved.
EDUCATION
STRUCTURE
 EDUCATION STRUCTURE
Allows highly capable students to
complete their secondary education in a
shorter period of time (four years) instead
of five years.
Provides multiple pathways for students
to choose programs that suit their
capabilities, interests, inclinations, growth
and development; thereby catering to
their needs.
 EDUCATION STRUCTURE
An increase in the number of
students joining technical education
is also anticipated.
Ensure that it will bring the best out
of students in the school system and
beyond when they enter the world of
work.
 EDUCATION STRUCTURE
With the implementation of SPN21, primary and
secondary levels have been renamed:
 Year 1-Year 6 replacing Primary 1-Primary 6
 Year 7-Year 11 replacing Form 1-Form 5.
EDUCATION STRUCTURE

PRE-SCHOOL
EDUCATION
PRE-SCHOOL LEVEL
EDUCATION STRUCTURE

PRIMARY
EDUCATION
PRIMARY LEVEL
 Primary School Assessment or
Penilaian Sekolah Rendah(PSR)
Administered annually to Grade 6 students in
public and private schools.
Mandatory Examination (except for students with
special needs) that certifies completion of primary
education.
Assess their suitability for secondary education
and place them in the appropriate secondary
school course. Match their learning pace, ability
and inclination.
Students who attain Five ‘A’s in their PSR will be
channeled to the science schools.
Students who have been identified as having
special educational needs require a curriculum
according to their ability and needs based on the
INDIVIDUALIZED EDUCATION PLAN (IEP) and
REMEDIAL EDUCATION PLAN (REP).
IEP is for students with a high support of
educational needs.
 Modification in the curriculum
 Change in the teaching and learning strategies
REP is mainly for students with learning
difficulties especially in basic skills such as
reading, writing and mathematics.
EDUCATION STRUCTURE

SECONDARY
EDUCATION
SECONDARY LEVEL
Student Progress Assessment (SPA)

Purpose:
• Channeling of students to the 4-year or 5-
year programmes.
• Selection of students for the Pure science
stream in either 4-year or 5-year
programmes.
• Determine the criteria for channeling
students to the General Education Program or
Applied Education Program, depending on
the students’ interest and aptitude.
 SECONDARY LEVEL
4 PROGRAMS
General Secondary Education Program
Applied Secondary Education Program
Specialized Education Program
Special Educational Needs Program.
General Secondary Education Program
Students who do not fulfill the
conditions stipulated in table 6 and 7
are automatically channeled into the
5-year General Education Programme
(Regular) or the Applied Programme,
depending on the students’ interest
and aptitude.
Applied Secondary Education
Programme
Special Applied Programme (SAP)

• Currently, the programmes offered are:

i.Art & Design;
ii.Business;
iii.Creative Media Production;
iv.Hospitality;
v.IT Users; and
vi.Sports & Active Leisure.
Specialized Education Programme
Special Educational Needs Programme
 Pre-Vocational
Programme
Caters to the needs of selected/identified
students with special educational needs at the
secondary level.
Besides developing their basic academic, living
and social skill, the programme also seeks to
instill vocational and work skills through
appropriate work placements.
Completion of the programme aims to produce
independent individuals striving towards their
fullest potential.
BCGCE ‘O’ LEVEL
and
IGCSE
 IGCSE
International General Certificate of
Secondary Education.
It is an internationally recognized
qualification by the University of Cambridge
International Examinations (CIE) and is
available in Brunei.
Popular among students who are preparing
for further education or employment
opportunities overseas.
 BCGCE ‘O’ LEVEL
Brunei-Cambridge General Certificate of Education Ordinary
Level
Secondary school qualification offered in Brunei. It is typically
taken by students at the end of their secondary education.
Designed to prepare students for further education, vocational
training or employment.
An International qualification that is offered by Ministry of
Education in Brunei in partnership with Cambridge Assessment
International Education.
Recognize as national qualification in Brunei and is widely
accepted by employers and institutions of higher education in
the country. It is also recognize by universities in other countries
around the world.
Requirement for post secondary education.
 School Fees and Miscellaneous Fees

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.
Secondary and Pre-university levels:
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
(Four Terms)
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
 The School Year
Schools in Brunei are closed on Fridays and
Sundays, while Saturday is a working day.
There is a 10-day or two-week holiday in
between each term.
The school year comprises a total of about
200 days, with a number of public holidays.
Their formal educational philosophy is
mainly focused on Koranic components such
as piety and faith, and the devotion towards
the Sultan.
 POST-SECONDARY EDUCATION

Stays for 2 years.

Students choose different
programmes and learning modes
according to their abilities, interests,
inclinations and needs.
EDUCATION STRUCTURE

POST-SECONDARY
EDUCATION
POST-SECONDARY EDUCATION
Programmes offered:
Nursing Education
Pre-University
Specialized Education
Vocational and Technical Education
Teacher Training
Islamic Studies Program
 BCGCE ‘A’ LEVEL
Brunei-Cambridge General Certificate
Examination Advanced Level.
Offered for the students who have
completed their ‘O’ Level or equivalent
secondary education.
Designed to prepare students for entry
into university and colleges around the
world.
EDUCATION STRUCTURE

TERTIARY
EDUCATION
Main types of Tertiary Education Program:

University Degree Programs

 Offers undergraduate and post graduate degree
 Arts and social sciences, business, science health science and
engineering.
Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET)
 Engineering, Business, Hospitality, and Information
technology.
Teacher Training Programs
 Primary and secondary school teachers.
Islamic Studies Programs
 Offers undergraduate and post graduate degree programs in
Islamic studies and related fields.
 LIST OF UNIVERSITIES IN
BRUNEI
Universiti Brunei Darussalam (UBD)
Universiti Islam Sultan Sharif Ali (UNISSA)
Institut Teknologi Brunei
Seri Begawan Religious Teachers University College
Sultan Saiful Rijal Technical College
Jefri Bolkiah Engineering College
Pengiran Anak Puteri Rashidah Nursing College
Business School
Nakhoda Ragam Vocational School
Sultan Bolkiah Vocational School
CURRICULUM
AND
ASSESSMENT
CURRICULUM AND ASSESSMENT

SUBJECTS
OFFERED
General Subjects for Year 9 to
11
(Applied Secondary Education Programme)
General Subjects for Year 9 to
11
(Applied Secondary Education Programme)
Core Subjects for Year 9 to
11
(Applied Secondary Education Programme)
Optional Subjects for Year 9 to
11
(Applied Secondary Education Programme)
TECHNICAL
EDUCATION
 Three-Tier Level
Skilled Worker:
 Provides students with basic skills and
knowledge in a specific trade or vocation.
 Skilled workers typically perform manual
or technical tasks that require specialized
skills and knowledge.
 Three-Tier Level
Professional:
Provides students with advanced technical skills
and knowledge in a specific trade or vocation.
It prepares the students for highly skilled
employment as professionals in their chosen field.
Professionals are typically highly trained and
educated individuals who are responsible for
developing new knowledge and practices in their
field and may also have management of
leadership roles.
 Three-Tier Level
Technologist:
 Provides students with more advanced
skills and knowledge in a specific trade or
vocation.
 Technologist are responsible for applying
scientific and technical knowledge to solve
problems and improve processes in their
field.
WHAT ARE THE
BENEFITS OF SPN
21?
 BENEFITS OF SPN 21
Acquisition of basic technical, vocational and business skills
that is useful for self-employment and other career
opportunities
Opportunities for technical and vocational education in higher
institutions
Special Educational Needs Programme for students with
special needs
Specialized Education Programme for the gifted and talented
Improvement in students' achievement
Improvement in national standards with benchmarking
against international standards
Improvement in teaching and learning standards.
 BENEFITS OF SPN 21
SPN 21 is the acronym for Sistem Pendidikan Negara
Abad Ke-21, The National Education System for the 21st
Century
Greater emphasis on 'character building'
No retention from Year 1 to Year 10/11 (except for those
with less than 85% attendance.
Multiple pathways to higher education
Multiple choices of educational programmes based on
students' interests, needs and abilities
Opportunities to pursue 4-year or 5-year programmes
before sitting for the Brunei- Cambridge General
Certificate of Education 'O' Level examination
THANK YOU 