Leslie Massey
The education system in Brunei is based on the British model, with a focus on Islamic heritage and values. The country's small population means that many teachers are expatriates, and the system has been influenced by both neighbouring Asian countries and the UK and Australia. Brunei's education system is often considered exemplary, with free schooling available at all levels and a range of options for students, including vocational education. The system is divided into three levels: pre-primary, primary, and secondary. The primary level is six years long and introduces the national language, Malay, as well as English. The secondary level is focused on preparing students for college or university, with an emphasis on academic or vocational streams. Brunei's only university, the UBD, offers a range of undergraduate and graduate programs.
What You'll Learn
Free schooling at all levels
Brunei is a small, wealthy, oil-rich country in Southeast Asia with a high standard of living. It gained independence from British rule in 1984 and has since offered free schooling to its citizens at all levels. The country's educational opportunities are a key factor in its growth and development.
The government of Brunei provides or regulates education through the Ministry of Education and the Ministry of Religious Affairs. The former manages most government and private schools, while the latter administers government schools that provide Islamic religious education. The country's first school was founded in 1914, and since then, there has been a significant expansion in the availability of education.
Brunei's formal school system follows a 1-6-3-2-2 pattern, representing one year of preschool, six years of primary education, three years of lower secondary, two years of upper secondary or vocational or technical education, and two years of pre-tertiary education. The government fully subsidises schooling for compulsory education, which includes preschool, primary, and secondary education, and this subsidy often extends to post-secondary and university education.
The Ministry of Education, in compliance with the Education Act of 1984, oversees all government and private learning institutions and educational policies. It aims to provide 12 years of education for all students, including Islamic religious education as part of the curriculum. The Ministry also emphasises the use of Malay in education, with bilingualism currently practised using both English and Malay for teaching.
As of 2019, the Ministry of Education administered or oversaw 232 schools at the preschool, primary, and secondary levels, 12 technical and vocational institutions, and 7 universities or tertiary-level institutions. This shows a substantial increase in educational opportunities compared to 2000, when there were 221 educational institutions in total.
The availability of free schooling at all levels in Brunei is a remarkable feature of the country, made possible by its economic advantages. This commitment to education is a key driver of the nation's growth and development, empowering its citizens with knowledge and opportunities for personal and professional achievements.
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English and Malay bilingualism
The bilingual education system in Brunei has evolved over time. The country introduced a bilingual education policy following its independence in 1984. The policy, known as "Dwibahasa", involved the use of two languages, Malay and English, in formal instruction. From pre-school to primary III, Malay was the medium of instruction for all subjects except English, which was taught as a subject. From primary IV onwards, English became the language of instruction for mathematics, science, geography, and English itself.
In 2009, the Dwibahasa system evolved into the 21st Century National Education System (SPN21), which retained the use of both Malay and English but with new approaches to teaching and learning. SPN21 aims to equip students with skills and knowledge to compete globally while remaining committed to the country.
In addition to mainstream schools, Islamic religious schools, or "Ugama" schools, also play a significant role in the development of bilingualism in Brunei. Ugama schools teach a comprehensive set of Islamic subjects entirely in the Malay language and the Jawi script. All Muslim children in Brunei between the ages of 7 and 15 must be enrolled in religious schools per the Compulsory Islamic Religious Education statute enacted in 2012.
The coexistence of Malay and English in the education system reflects Brunei's linguistic diversity and the importance of both languages in the country. While Malay is the official language, English is widely used and valued due to its association with higher social and economic status.
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Islamic heritage and Koranic elements
Brunei is an autonomous nation situated on the north coast of Borneo island in Southeast Asia. The country's official name, Brunei Darussalam, means "Abode of Peace" in Arabic. Brunei has a predominantly Malay Muslim population and a substantial Chinese minority. Islam has been present in Brunei since the 10th century, and by the reign of the third monarch, Sultan Sharif Ali, it had grown into an Islamic empire. With Islam as the state religion and the Malay Islamic Monarchy (MIB) concept as the national governing philosophy, Brunei flourished spiritually and materially.
Brunei's educational philosophy is influenced by its Islamic heritage and monarchy. It emphasizes Koranic elements such as faith and piety, along with loyalty to the Sultan. The country's first Malay language school was established in 1912, and a Chinese school was set up in 1916, followed by an English-medium school in 1931. The growth of schools continued through World War II and beyond.
Islamic religious education is a significant aspect of the curriculum in Brunei. The Ministry of Religious Affairs administers Islamic religious primary education (rendah ugama) and Arabic religious education (ugama Arab). All Muslim children between the ages of 7 and 15 must be enrolled in religious schools per the Compulsory Islamic Religious Education statute enacted in 2012. The religious school curriculum covers a range of Islamic themes, including Al-Quraan, Tauhid (Divinity), Ibadat (Obedience), Toharoh (Hygiene), Solat (Prayers), Zakat (Tithe), Puasa (Fasting), Hajj (Pilgrimage), and Muamalat (Commerce).
The Arabic Islamic religious education is a type of secondary education specializing in subjects related to the Islamic religion. It serves as an alternative pathway for Muslim students instead of general secondary education, with Arabic as the medium of instruction. Successful completion of this pathway allows students entry into Islamic universities, such as Al-Azhar University in Cairo, Egypt.
Brunei's educational system includes universities that offer programs in Islamic studies. The Sultan Sharif Ali Islamic University (UNISSA), founded in 2007, focuses on Islamic History and Civilization, Arabic Language, Islamic Finance, and Islamic Law. It offers diploma, bachelor's, master's, and doctorate programs. The Seri Begawan Religious Teachers University College (KUPU SB), established in 1975, provides diploma, higher national diploma, post-graduate diploma, bachelor's, and master's degrees in Islamic teaching.
In conclusion, Brunei's education system reflects the country's Islamic heritage and incorporates Koranic elements. The curriculum includes Islamic religious education, and Arabic Islamic religious education offers an alternative pathway for students seeking to pursue Islamic higher education. Additionally, universities in Brunei provide specialized programs in Islamic studies, contributing to the integration of Islamic principles within the educational framework.
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Private and public schools
Brunei's education system is provided or regulated by the Government of Brunei through the Ministry of Education and the Ministry of Religious Affairs. The former manages most government and private schools in the country, while the latter specifically administers government schools providing Islamic religious education.
The school system in Brunei is relatively new, with formal schooling only starting in the 20th century. The first Malay language school opened in 1912, with similar schools following in other towns. A Chinese school was established in 1916, and the first English school was founded in 1931. The growth in schools, both government and private, continued through World War II and beyond.
Both private and public schools in Brunei follow the same syllabus, which is approved by the Ministry of Education. The school year typically starts in March and ends in January of the following year. The education system begins with kindergarten at age 5, which is a one-year preparatory period for primary school. Primary schools follow a lower and upper phase system, with students taking an assessment examination at the end of the upper phase for entry into secondary school.
Private schools in Brunei include the International School of Brunei, which is internationally accredited and has three campuses spanning from Seria to Brunei Muara. The school has students from over 37 nationalities and offers the International Baccalaureate (IB) curriculum. The Jerudong International School and St. Andrew's School Brunei are also notable international schools in the country.
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University options
Brunei's only university is the University of Brunei Darussalam (UBD), which offers undergraduate and a few graduate programs through its six faculties (colleges). These include faculties in the arts and social sciences, business, economics and policy studies, Islamic studies, Brunei studies, science, and education. The university is one of the fastest-growing young universities in the world, with a focus on lifelong learning and a multicultural campus. The UBD is also a research-intensive university, with specialised expertise in areas such as biodiversity, energy studies, precision medicine, smart farming, and Islamic history.
In addition to UBD, there are several other higher education institutions in Brunei that offer bachelor's degrees and above. These include the Brunei Institute of Technology, Brunei Technological University, Sultan Sharif Ali Islamic University, and the Institute of Brunei Technical Education. These institutions are authorised to award internal degree concentrations (qualifications) that are accredited by the Brunei Darussalam National Accreditation Council (BDNAC).
For those seeking a private education, there are several private colleges and universities in Brunei. These include the Cosmopolitan College of Commerce and Technology, Laksamana College of Business, International Graduate Studies College, Micronet International College, Bicpa-Ftms Accountancy Academy, and more.
English is the main medium of instruction in most colleges and universities in Brunei, although Malay is used for Malay- and Brunei-related subjects. Arabic is used in Arabic religious schools and Islamic universities.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, citizens of Brunei can access free schooling at all levels.
Primary education takes a total of six years to complete. It is divided into a 3-year lower primary phase (year 1 to year 3) and a 3-year upper primary phase (year 4 to year 6). At the end of year 6, students take the Primary School Assessment or Penilaian Sekolah Rendah (PSR) to assess their suitability for secondary education.
Secondary education is divided into two streams: technical or vocational education, and academic education. The former prepares students for immediate skill-based employment after graduation, while the latter leads to two or three years of upper secondary education, culminating in the Brunei-Cambridge General Certificate of Education (GCE) examination at either the O- or N-Levels.
Malay is the official language of Brunei, but English is the main medium of instruction in most primary and secondary schools, colleges, and universities. Malay is used as the medium of instruction for Malay- and Brunei-related subjects, as well as in religious primary schools.
