Executive Summary (Brunei Darussalam)

OVERVIEW OF
DARUSSALAM

LIFELONG

LEARNING

OPPORTUNITIES

IN

BRUNEI

Wawasan Brunei 2035 aims to make Brunei Darussalam, by 2035, a nation of educated,
highly skilled and accomplished people, to be achieved by building a first class education
system that provides opportunities for every citizen and resident to meet the requirements of
the changing economy and encourages lifelong learning as well as achievements in sport and
the arts. Lifelong learning in Brunei Darussalam is defined similarly to UNESCOs
definition as an emphasis on enabling young people and adults to continue learning
throughout life so as to improve their knowledge, skills and competencies within personal,
civic, social or employment related perspectives. As such, this notion extends to all areas and
phases of life and is particularly crucial in framing efforts among young people and adults to
continuously extend and acquire new skills in a rapidly changing world. In the context of
Brunei Darussalam, this is underpinned by the national philosophy, Melayu Islam Beraja
(MIB).
A. TEACHERS AND FACILITATORS CONTINUING PROFESSIONAL
DEVELOPMENT
Teachers Professional Development in Negara Brunei Darussalam is mainly catered by the
different agencies under the purview of Ministry of Education (MOE). The main three
centres/institutes, which are tasked with this responsibility, are 1) Brunei Darussalam
Teachers Academy (BDTA), 2) Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah Institute of Education (SHBIE) and
3) Institute for Leadership, Innovation and Advancement (ILIA). BDTA was set up by MOE
in 2014 to provide professional development for teachers lifelong learning. Currently, the
majority of courses offered by this centre cater for the training needs of school teachers,
which are identified by school leaders. SHBIE is a graduate school of education as well as
one of the major players as the provider for continuous professional development for
teachers lifelong learning. These are offered in two main categories: a) For teachers
personal development: Teachers are given opportunities to upgrade their academic
qualifications for post-graduate studies up to PhD level, b) For teachers professional
development: In-service teachers attend various research-based Continuous Professional
Development designed by the institute in collaboration with the MOE. The 21 st Century
Teaching and Learning (21CTL) and Personalize Pedagogy and Technologies (PPAT) are
two examples of such programmes. In addition, SHBIE, through the Continuing Professional
Development programme, offers a range of short courses to cater for the professional
development required by teachers from MOE, Ministry of Religious Affairs and Private
Schools. ILIA provides an action-based continuing professional development for teachers
and school leaders in terms of individual leadership, teacher leadership and school
leadership through its Three-Tier School Leadership Programmes. These programmes are
designed for the aspiring school teachers, middle leaders and senior school leaders.

B. LINKING DIFFERENT SECTORS FOR LIFELONG

COLLABORATIONS WITH PRIVATE AND SOCIAL PARTNERS

LEARNING

Initiated by the Ministry of Education (MOE) with the Energy and Industry Department at
the Prime Minister's Office (EIDPMO), Industrial Skills Qualification (ISQ) was launched in
July 2013 at IBTE Mechanical Campus as part of the Energy Industry Competency
Framework (EICF ISQ) to target for economic growth of Brunei where 80% of jobs will be
in oil and gas sector. ISQ programmes, that comprises of six trades: Marker/Fitter, Rigger,
Welder, Scaffolder, Heavy Vehicle Driver and Industrial Blaster Painter, was aimed to make
locals more marketable with relevant skills to work in the oil and gas industry. Depending on
the trade, ISQ is a one-year programme where students are to spend the first 6 months in
campus followed by a four to six months of training and attachment in the Registered
Training Organisations (RTOs) from the energy industry. Upon graduation, students are
guaranteed a job at the Oil and Gas companies. One of the managements quality objectives
of Institute Brunei Technical Education (IBTE) Quality Policy is to achieve Graduates
Employability Rate of 80% 6 months after graduation. Since July 2013, a total of 2234 have
registered under the ISQ programme. ISQ helped contributed in increasing the overall
number of employed graduates and this was reflected in august 2016 report where IBTE
achieved graduates employability rate of 75%.
C. COMMUNITY BASED LEARNING PLACES AND CENTRES
A workshop on Documenting successful policies and practices for lifelong learning was
convened to collect information of programmes for lifelong learning offered by government
and non-government agencies. Each of the agencies shared their best practices, rated their
confidence in the sustainability of their LLL programmes, discussed the challenges they
need to overcome, and sought the support they would need and from whom. From the
workshop, it was concluded that government and non-government organisation offered
formal programmes for LLL in terms of spirituality, education, social, cultural and health. A
majority of the LLL programmes are offered to youth (15 years old to 24 years old) for job
preparation and skill development, while programmes for workplace and community LLL
are for adults (above 25 years old). Overall, LLL programmes providers are confident that
the programme they offered would be sustainable. Generally for most of the LLL
programmes require (arbitrarily) financial support from the government and major
stakeholders, active and supportive participation from community, more professional
expertise in the specific LLL programmes, and a requirement for national policy for LLL.