English Essay on Education in Brunei
Over the course of the recent years Brunei has seen major reforms to assist people and contribute to economic growth. For example, higher institution was set up along with an upgraded educational system that enabled Bruneians to have greater knowledge and skills compared to 40 years ago. In the past, Brunei’s population could only read and write in their native terminology, but the present population boast a high literacy rate of 94.9 % (Kon, 2012). This is parallel to numerous changes to Brunei’s education in the last forty years. This essay will discuss these changes in the country’s development of literacy and the educational system.
According to the Economic Planning and Development Department (2008), the literacy rate has increased by 18% since 1978 and United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) showed that, the literacy rate in Brunei in both adults and youths has increased to 91 per cent and 99 per cent respectively since 2004.This illustrate the steady development of Brunei’s education system. The significant change was when the Brunei government started to impose The Bilingual Education Policy in 1975 (Stephan Chan, 2007) whereby it was made compulsory for students in schools to write and read both Malay and English educational materials to ensure high proficiency in the two languages. It was believed that this policy could enhance Bruneians communication skills which were required in the nation’s future prospects. The Brunei government also acknowledged that effective education system goes hand in hand with literacy rate. (Brunei Times, 2012.) In this regard, many Bruneians benefit the flexibility in choosing their education as various institutions and part time courses were introduced over the recent years, which enforced these institutions to inculcate communication skills to the pupils.
Another significant change in the Brunei’s education development is the transition of the ‘7-3-2-2 pattern’ adopted in 1979 to the
According to the Economic Planning and Development Department (2008), the literacy rate has increased by 18% since 1978 and United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) showed that, the literacy rate in Brunei in both adults and youths has increased to 91 per cent and 99 per cent respectively since 2004.This illustrate the steady development of Brunei’s education system. The significant change was when the Brunei government started to impose The Bilingual Education Policy in 1975 (Stephan Chan, 2007) whereby it was made compulsory for students in schools to write and read both Malay and English educational materials to ensure high proficiency in the two languages. It was believed that this policy could enhance Bruneians communication skills which were required in the nation’s future prospects. The Brunei government also acknowledged that effective education system goes hand in hand with literacy rate. (Brunei Times, 2012.) In this regard, many Bruneians benefit the flexibility in choosing their education as various institutions and part time courses were introduced over the recent years, which enforced these institutions to inculcate communication skills to the pupils.
Another significant change in the Brunei’s education development is the transition of the ‘7-3-2-2 pattern’ adopted in 1979 to the
Bibliography: • Kon, J. (2012). Brunei 's literacy rate among world 's highest. Retrieved October 21st 2012 from http://www.brudirect.com/index.php/Local-News/bruneis-literacy-rate-among-worlds-highest.html • Brunei Literacy Rate Set For Big Increase. (2008, September 10). The Brunei Times, p. 22 • Chan, S. (2009). The Evolution Of Education in Brunei Darussalam. Retrieved October 18, 2012 from HTTP://STEPHENCHAN.WORDPRESS.COM/CATEGORY/THE-EVOLUTION-OF-EDUCATION-IN-BRUNEI-DARUSSALAM/ • DST Human Resource. (2012). Retrieved September 23, 2012, from http://www.bruneidirecthys.net/about_brunei/education.html • Jimi-Ha (2012). Brunei’s Literacy Rate Among World’s Highest. Retrieved September 23, 2012 from http://www.3g.com.bn/index.php/local-news-mobile/32481-bruneis-literacy-rate-among-worlds-highest.html • Kon, J. (2012, June 7). Brunei’s Literacy Rate. Borneo Bulletin, p.1 • Norhazlin, H.M. (2009). A Critical Study of Educational System in Brunei Darussalam in The Light of Al-Attas’ Philosophy of Education. (Doctoral dissertation, University of Birmingham, 2009).