International Schools in Brunei

Diploma and graduate hat - Fotolia

You will find below a list of the most popular international and bilingual schools for expats in Brunei with fee information. It includes nursery schools, primary and secondary (high) schools and you will find the right school to prepare for International Baccalaureate, and other diploma in Brunei. Some schools may follow the American or British curriculums with English speaking programs while others are regulated under the Chinese education system.

Brunei education has been based on Islamic forms of education in the past. However, there has been rapid development recently and the literacy rate is now more than 94 percent. However, Brunei's education philosophy is still founded on the National Philosophy of a Malay Islamic Monarchy and incorporates the two key elements of naqli (on the basis of the holy Quran and Hadith) and aqli (on the basis of reasoning).

Education in Brunei is under the control of the Ministry of Education of Brunei. Compulsory education is from the age of 5 to 16 and is free at every level from elementary to high school. Education at the primary and secondary levels are provided in the major languages of English, Malay or Chinese.

International Schools

International schools can be the perfect solution for an expat student (multinational corporation executives, children of diplomats, NGO staff) in Brunei. There may be some local population, but the schools are geared for an international student body. Schools usually follow a curriculum model from the US, UK, France, Canada or Australia/New Zealand. Primary instruction may be any language (and multiple languages are usually taught), but it is usually in English, French, Spanish, German, or Japanese. Many schools provide similar standards of schooling around the globe, providing for an easy transition between schools whether they are in France or Vietnam. Schools often provide internationally accepted accreditation such as the international baccalaureate.

Admission and enrollment procedures vary from school to school. Space is often limited and preference may be given to students based on nationality. Tuition tends to be expensive based on local standards, but offers high standards of learning, boast smaller class sizes, first-rate facilities, and extracurricular. Boarding facilities are available at some schools, but most only provide day classes.

Accreditation

The CoIS (Council of International Schools) is a non-profit association of international schools and post-secondary institutions which provides educational accreditation, teacher and leadership recruitment services, links to higher education, governance assistance and help with founding new schools. Federation Of British International Schools in South East and East Asia (Fobissea) started as a collection of colleagues in British-styled international schools in Asia looking for fellowship and professional support, and is now an association of schools in South East Asia and East Asia. Independent Association of Preparatory Schools (IAPS) is an independent association of schools. The UK based Boarding Schools Association regulates and rates boarding schools around the world.

Bandar Seri Begawan

International School of Brunei
Address: Jln Dato Haji Ahmad, Berakas
Bandar Seri Begawan BB1114
Brunei Darussalam
Tel: 673 - 2330608
Tuition Rates: B$ 6,225 - 12,525

ISB is proud to be serving Brunei Darussalam as the only fully accredited international school on Borneo. The school caters to students aged two to eighteen in English instruction. The school is divided into three divisions: the Primary School, the Secondary School and the IB Sixth Form. Students at ISB follow the International General Certificate of Education (IGCSE), General Certificate of Secondary Education (GCSE) and the Brunei-Cambridge GCE 'O' level examination course in Malay (Bahasa Melayu).

Jerudong International School (JIS)
Address: Kampong Tungku
Bandar Seri Begawan, Brunei Darussalam, BS8672
Tel: 673 241 1000
Tuition Rates: Inquire at school

JIS offers an international, British style education for children aged 2.5 years to 18 years. It offers weekly boarding to students aged 10 years and above. The school year starts in late August and ends early July. The Junior Years is a member of the IAPS, BSA, and is a International Baccalaureate Organisation (IBO) as an IB World School.

Seri Mulia Sarjana International School
Address: Spg. 340 Kg. Mata-Mata
Jalan Gadong, BE 1718
Bandar Seri Begawan, Negara Brunei Darussalam
Tel: 673 2421311
Tuition Rates: Inquire at school

Once known as PDS International School, the school has since been known as Seri Mulia Sarjana International School. Seri Mulia loosely translates to "held in high esteem" and Sarjana means "graduate". This international school provides classes for expatriate families from Early Learning Centre through to Junior School. Instruction is in English.

Panaga School
Address: Brunei Shell Petroleum Company Sdn Bhd
Jalan Utara, Panaga, Seria KB3534
Negara Brunei Darussalam
Tel: 00673-3372139
Tuition Rates: Inquire at school

Panaga School is a company school run by Brunei Shell for the children of Brunei Shell (and some contractors) expatriate employees. The schools has approximately 280 children from Nursery to Primary 8. There are 2 streams, Dutch and International (English medium).

Hornbill School
Address: British Forces Brunei, BFPO 11
Brunei
Tel: (673) 322 4101
Tuition Rates: Inquire at school

This primary school follows the National Curriculum requirements for England. The four core subjects are English, Mathematics, Science and Information and Communication Technology. In addition our students also study Music, Art, Design Technology, History, Geography, RE and Physical Education. Courses run from Foundation Stage to Year 6 with English instruction. Hornbill School caters for the children of British and Gurkha personnel and is attached to the British Garrison based in Seria.

Stella's School
Address: No. 4 & 7, Simpang 538-46
Jalan Kebangsaan Lama Bandar Seri Begawan BC4115 Brunei Darussalam
Tel: 234 2095
Tuition Rates: Inquire at school

Stella's School is a well-established private school founded in the 1970s. It encompasses nursery school to Primary 6. Curriculum includes Malay, English, History, Science & Geography.

St. Andrew's School
Address: P.O. Box 780
B.S.B. BS8671 Negara Brunei Darussalam
Tel: 2222099
Tuition Rates: Inquire at school

St. Andrew's School is a private, co-educational, school in Brunei. It offers kindergarten, primary and secondary education. Applicants are tested in English, Malay and mathematics. Classes in Kindergarten and lower primary are taught in Malay, while from upper primary to upper secondary English is used. Lower Secondary students study for a local examination called the Penilaian Menengah Bawah (Malay for Lower Secondary Assessment Exam) whereas Upper Secondary students study for the Brunei-Cambridge General Certificate of Education Ordinary Level (GCE O' Level).

Seria

St. Margaret's School
Address: Jalan Bolkiah
Seria KB4333 Brunei Darussalam
Tuition Rates: Inquire at school

The school was established founder Principal Rev L R Melling and the parishioners of St Margaret's Church. The core curriculum is dictated by religious faith. English is the language of instruction.

Chinese School in Brunei

Chung Hwa Middle School
Address:
P.O.Box 58 BS8670 BSB Negara Brunei Darussalam
Tel: 673 3224111
Tuition Rates: Inquire at school

The Chung Hwa Middle School is a non-government, independent, public-funded Chinese school. The school was established in 1922 by the Chinese community of Brunei. It provides a trilingual (Chinese, English, and Malay) learning environment. The school has three divisions - the Kindergarten, Primary School and Secondary School.