(Bandar Seri Begawan, 4th) The first semester of the 2026 academic year officially commenced today, covering all government and private primary and secondary schools, colleges, and sixth form centers across the country, including religious and Arabic schools overseen by the Ministry of Religious Affairs.
In conjunction with the start of the new school year, Brunei's Minister of Education, Dato Seri Setia Dr. Romaizah, led a delegation to conduct on-site visits to Bendahara Sulaiman Primary School, Haji Mohamad Salleh Sungai Hanching Primary School, and Sultan Sharif Ali Secondary School, to gain in-depth understanding of the new semester's teaching activities and policy implementation.
The focus of this school visit included inspecting orientation activities for new students, the operation of teaching and learning, as well as the implementation progress of several strategic educational initiatives, including the integration of religious courses into the national education system, the STEAM Education and Skills Program (SES), and the Green Education Plan.
The delegation also observed the 'Back to School' activities, such as morning fitness exercises, new student interaction, and briefing sessions, demonstrating the enthusiasm and preparation of students and teachers for the new academic year.
The Education Minister also visited various classrooms and school facilities, including kindergarten classrooms, science laboratories, libraries and resource centers, and engaged in cordial exchanges with teachers and students, especially newly-enrolled kindergarteners, encouraging them to cherish learning opportunities and actively pursue knowledge.
It is worth mentioning that the Education Minister paid special attention to visiting the NurKasih Inclusive Education Model School at Sultan Sharif Ali Secondary School, to learn about the teaching facilities and learning environment provided for students with special needs. Additionally, she witnessed the orientation for new Form One students at the school to help them adapt to secondary school life and learning culture.
Accompanying the Minister were heads and officials from various departments and divisions of the Ministry of Education. Meanwhile, the Ministry’s Permanent Secretary and Deputy Permanent Secretary also separately inspected other public and private schools on the first day of term.
The Ministry of Education calls on parents and guardians to actively cooperate to ensure that their children return to school on time, especially those who have reached the age of compulsory education, so as to avoid interruption of their studies.
According to the revised Compulsory Education Act, Chapter 211, in 2024, children who are citizens or residents of Brunei and who have reached the age of 5 must enroll in school. Children who turn 5 before December 31 must enter kindergarten at the beginning of the following year. For unregistered children, parents can still complete the enrollment process at government primary schools in their respective school districts.
In the 2026 academic year, a total of 112 government primary schools nationwide offer kindergarten classes, and about 2,907 five-year-old children have already completed registration and are ready to embark on their learning journey.
In conjunction with the start of the new school year, Brunei's Minister of Education, Dato Seri Setia Dr. Romaizah, led a delegation to conduct on-site visits to Bendahara Sulaiman Primary School, Haji Mohamad Salleh Sungai Hanching Primary School, and Sultan Sharif Ali Secondary School, to gain in-depth understanding of the new semester's teaching activities and policy implementation.
The delegation also observed the 'Back to School' activities, such as morning fitness exercises, new student interaction, and briefing sessions, demonstrating the enthusiasm and preparation of students and teachers for the new academic year.
The Education Minister also visited various classrooms and school facilities, including kindergarten classrooms, science laboratories, libraries and resource centers, and engaged in cordial exchanges with teachers and students, especially newly-enrolled kindergarteners, encouraging them to cherish learning opportunities and actively pursue knowledge.
It is worth mentioning that the Education Minister paid special attention to visiting the NurKasih Inclusive Education Model School at Sultan Sharif Ali Secondary School, to learn about the teaching facilities and learning environment provided for students with special needs. Additionally, she witnessed the orientation for new Form One students at the school to help them adapt to secondary school life and learning culture.
Accompanying the Minister were heads and officials from various departments and divisions of the Ministry of Education. Meanwhile, the Ministry’s Permanent Secretary and Deputy Permanent Secretary also separately inspected other public and private schools on the first day of term.
The Ministry of Education calls on parents and guardians to actively cooperate to ensure that their children return to school on time, especially those who have reached the age of compulsory education, so as to avoid interruption of their studies.
According to the revised Compulsory Education Act, Chapter 211, in 2024, children who are citizens or residents of Brunei and who have reached the age of 5 must enroll in school. Children who turn 5 before December 31 must enter kindergarten at the beginning of the following year. For unregistered children, parents can still complete the enrollment process at government primary schools in their respective school districts.
In the 2026 academic year, a total of 112 government primary schools nationwide offer kindergarten classes, and about 2,907 five-year-old children have already completed registration and are ready to embark on their learning journey.