Brunei Darussalam, known as Brunei, is a tiny Southeast Asian Islamic sultanate. It is located on the South China Sea along the northern coast of the island of Borneo, bordering Malaysia. Brunei became a British protectorate in 1888 and achieved independence in 1984. A high-income country with a small population (491,900), half of its GDP ($35.26 billion) is based on petroleum exports.
A majority of the population is employed by the government, which provides education, health care and most other living expenses for its citizens.
Education Overview
Brunei’s education system is free to citizens, including university abroad, but not compulsory. This includes textbooks, transportation, food and hostels. Education comprises one year pre-primary, six years primary and six years middle and secondary school. This is followed by either pre-university or vocational education. Tertiary education is available from institutes, technical colleges, training centers and the senior education center, the University of Brunei Darussalam. The alternative tertiary education is overseas education paid for by the government.
Wawasan Brunei 2035
Wawasan Brunei 2035, launched in 2008, outlines Brunei’s aspirations to ensure that by 2035 its people are well-educated, highly skilled and accomplished; enjoy a high quality of life; and that the nation possesses a dynamic and sustainable economy.
The desired educational outcomes (Goal #1) are a first-class education (high-quality teachers, schools and accomplishments), equal educational opportunities (high participation) and human resource development (post-secondary education and life-long learning).
SPN21, the National Education System for the 21st Century, approved in 2007, is the platform of the Ministry of Education to achieve the educational objectives of Wawasan Brunei 2035. Its three main pillars are education structure, curriculum and assessment and technical education.
Education Challenges
Brunei and SDG 4. The United Nations’ 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development sets out 17 Sustainable Development Goals to be achieved by 2030. SDG 4 is Quality Education, to ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all. Progress on the SDGs is measured by the U.N.’s Sustainable Development Solutions Network and reported in the annual Sustainable Development Report (SDR).
Despite the vision outlined for 2025 and the plan outlined in Brunei’s SPN21, the 2025 SDR assessment of Brunei’s progress on SDG 4 was that “challenges remain,” with its score stagnating or increasing at less than 50% of the required rate. The country is seen as on track or remaining for three indicators: literacy (98%), net primary enrollment rate and lower secondary completion rate, although the secondary completion rate is stagnating. The significant challenge is in the participation rate in pre-primary organized learning, which is seeing a downward trend.
Lack of Appropriate Job Opportunities. Although the government has reported significant progress attained by Wawasan Brunei 2035 regarding education, public sentiment reflects concerns about a decline in education standards and a disconnect between job opportunities and higher education.
Economic Diversification.
Brunei’s economy has been highly dependent on oil and gas, and this may be part of the employment problem, especially since it has been suggested that the country’s oil and gas reserves would last only until 2035. The Ministry of Finance and Economy reports that this dependency has, however, been declining since Wawasan Brunei 2035 was initiated, with the oil and gas sector’s contribution to the GDP in the second quarter of 2024 reduced to 50.3%. New policies and initiatives have focused on economic diversification with the development of agriculture, fisheries, tourism and financial services being promoted. This will, perhaps, bring higher education and employment opportunities into better alignment.
Ministry of Education Strategic Plan 2023-2027
The Ministry of Education’s most recent strategic plan reflects Wawasan Brunei 2035 and SPN21. Its key success measures are primary level achievement, secondary level achievement, renowned higher education institutions, post-secondary level enrollment, employable graduates, employer satisfaction and sustainability.
The plan notes a major strategy “to provide multiple pathways in increasing access into higher education” along with “schemes… to ensure there is opportunity to enrol [sic] into higher education in the private sector.” In 2022, 388 programs were provided across multiple fields and levels. The 2022 enrollment rates across Brunei’s five priority sectors were: services 59.78%, downstream oil and gas 19.27%, information and communication technology 16.03%, tourism 2.69% and food 2.23%.
Education and Environmental Stewardship
Brunei Darussalam has, therefore, prioritized education and the role this sector plays in the long-term future of the country. A recent innovation is the link created between education and sustainability. In line with the country’s commitment to a climate-resilient and sustainable future, Brunei’s Greening Education Plan 2025-2035 provides a comprehensive national framework where all levels of the country’s education system will include “eco-conscious” principles. Attention is given to curriculum, policy, infrastructure, procurement and data management. The plan’s six primary objectives are to:
- Inspire long-term behavioral change
- Reduce resource consumption and environmental impact
- Promote environmental literacy
- Support green skills and career pathways
- Foster community and national collaboration
- Institutionalize sustainability in educational systems
– Paula Gibson
Photo: Flickr
Education in Oman: Leading by Example in Gulf
The War in Donbass – 10 Facts
After Ukraine’s 2014 revolution and reorganization of its government, several of the southeastern regions of Ukraine took up arms against the new government. These regions of primarily Russian-speaking Ukrainians, collectively termed the “Donbass,” feel that the new government of Ukraine does not represent the people, and so they have attempted to set up their own, separate government. Here are 10 facts about the War in Donbass, to help raise awareness around the current conflict:
The war in the Donbass is a highly complex and constantly evolving situation, and these 10 facts only serve to summarize some of the more recent developments and how they affect the overarching conflict.
– Erik Halberg
Photo: Flickr
10 Facts About the South Sudanese Civil War
Violence persists in the northeastern African nation. The South Sudanese civil war has increased unemployment and famine rates. In addition, nearby countries have opened their borders to the South Sudanese, overcrowding refugee camps and making the delivery of aid harder. However, nonprofit organizations and global institutions, primarily the U.N. Refugee Agency, are working to end the conflict in South Sudan and provide its people with basic need like food and shelter.
– Dario Ledesma
Photo: Flickr
Education in Georgia: Looking for Reforms
However, since 2004, the Georgian education system has undergone numerous systematic changes. Over the past two decades, different governments have attempted to improve the quality of the educational system, but reforms have been delayed or impeded by inadequate funding and finances.
Education in Georgia is mandatory for children between the ages of 6 and 14. The educational system is divided between elementary, basic and secondary schools. Vocational education is also available to students.
The World Bank conducted a comprehensive study of the state of education in Georgia to help improve its conditions and transparency in the government sector. It found that student outcomes are particularly concerning in areas like reading comprehension, mathematics and science. These areas are much lower than they should be, especially compared to the world’s leading countries.
Georgia joined the Global Partnership for Education in 2007. During this time, the partnership endorsed Georgia’s Consolidated Education Strategy and Action Plan that covered the period between 2007 to 2011. Georgia does not receive GPE grants. Under this plan, the government was introduced to the per capita financing principle of “money follows the student” in general and higher education. This principle began the process of “per-pupil funding.” Essentially, the process urges the state to provide 12 years of free general education. Primary, basic and general schools are funded by the Ministry of Education and Science. The education is funded based on an amount per pupil.
The establishment of The National Curriculum and Assessment Center in March 2006 is another positive reform implemented through the Strategy and Action Plan. The Center has introduced new curricula for general schools and vocational schools. It is “designed to encourage active learning rather than mechanical transfer of knowledge.” The curriculums were introduced in grades 1, 7 and 10 and on a pilot basis in 2, 8 and 11. Textbooks have been developed in recent years in reaction to the new curriculums.
World Bank Regional Director for the South Caucasus Henry Kerali noted that the future of Georgia’s place in the world as far as competitiveness is largely dependent on its ability to improve its educational system and to produce a highly skilled workforce through teaching and learning. With these reforms in place, Georgia is working towards these goals, which will improve the quality of life for its citizens.
– Melanie Snyder
Free School Meals Alleviating Hunger in Guam
One of the more impactful programs in Guam that is fighting the hunger situation is that all 26 elementary schools in Guam serve meals for free. This free meal plan is provided through the federally funded Community Eligibility Provision grant that is provided by the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
This program feeds elementary students so they are focused and ready to participate in classes by giving them the nutrition they need. Some middle and high schools are also participating in the free meal program. The First Lady of Guam, Christine Calvo, wants to stamp out child hunger in Guam by expanding this program to all schools.
With unemployment, food insecurity becomes an issue. Food insecurity is when people are without reliable access to affordable or nutritious food. Unfortunately, people need to spend money to eat, and if people are unemployed, they cannot do so.
However, Guam has decreased its unemployment rate quite drastically. From June 2015 to June 2016, the unemployment rate in Guam dropped from 8.7 percent to 3.9 percent, a 55 percent decrease in unemployment. Because of this decrease, food insecurity has become less of an issue and more people know where their next meal is coming from.
Although hunger in Guam used to be a major issue, solutions are being implemented to help those in the country. Implementing free meal programs in schools and decreasing unemployment are important steps to alleviating hunger in Guam. If the free meal program expands to all schools and the unemployment rate continues to drop, hunger could become a thing of the past for the people of Guam.
– Daniel Borjas
Photo: Flickr
How to Help People in Seychelles
Seychelles is an archipelago of 115 islands located off the eastern coast of Africa, north of Madagascar. It has the highest GDP per capita in Africa at $15,476 in 2015. Its extreme poverty rate is low (1.1 percent in 2013) as is its moderate poverty rate (2.5 percent in 2013).
Despite the low poverty rates, inequality is an issue in Seychelles. The poorest 20 percent of the population only holds 3.7 percent of the country’s wealth. The disparities between urban and rural areas are also substantial. The poverty rate in rural areas (as a percentage of the rural population) is 37.2 percent.
The economy of Seychelles depends on fishing (particularly tuna fishing) and tourism, both of which are impacted by the environment. Climate change disproportionately affects people in Seychelles. They also lack access to natural freshwater resources and face water pollution due to poor sewage management and industrial runoff. Natural and manmade disasters such as landslides, fires and oil spills affect the environment and hamper tourism.
The issues of piracy that have plagued the coast of Somalia also affect Seychelles. Due to the spread-out nature of the islands, it is difficult to guarantee the security of all people. The threat of pirates affects tourism, yachting and fishing which damages the economy.
Previously, NATO ran a counter-piracy operation called Operation Ocean Shield that was designed to protect people from pirates on the eastern coast of Africa. However, this program ended in 2016, once again leaving the people of Seychelles vulnerable.
With an understanding of the issues that Seychelles faces, the question now is how to help people in Seychelles. There are several steps that can be taken:
– Olivia Bradley
Photo: Flickr
Education in Albania: Keeping More Children in School
According to UNESCO, education in Albania has undergone various changes in order to bring the curriculum up to date, make mandatory education more accessible and fit national objectives within European and international guidelines since its transition to democracy.
Compared to other countries, there is less spent on education in Albania, according to the Albanian Coalition for Child Education. The nation set aside 3.5 percent of its GDP for education in 1999 and only 2.7 percent in 2013, which puts it almost 2 percent lower than the average in Eastern Europe.
The amount spent per elementary and secondary student in Albania was also reported as being among the lowest in the area. In 2005, Albanians had an average of 8.5 years of education, compared to an average of 12 years among ten EU member nations. The latest statistic shows that there is now an average of 11.9 years of education among Albanians.
Over the last 10 years, education in Albania has made considerable progress. The nation adopted The Law on Inclusive Education in 2012, which guarantees the right to an education to disabled children. It also guarantees them access to specialized personnel who are trained to cater to their needs.
Although this is a step in the right direction, there are still issues that need to be addressed regarding education in Albania. Over 50 percent of Roma children between 6 and 16 have never been in school and more than 40 percent between the ages of 15 and 16 are considered illiterate.
Education in Albania has made significant progress, but there still remains extensive ground to be covered. The government of Albania is taking the necessary steps to ensure that its system is up to global standards.
– Fernando Vazquez
Photo: Flickr
9 Facts About Education in Taiwan
Education in Taiwan continues to progress, especially towards targeting areas that it is less proficient in. With the added focus on reading, arts and creativity, along with less pressure to score high on exams, Taiwan is working to ensure that its educational system meets the needs of all its students.
– Melanie Snyder
Photo: Flickr
Education in Brunei
Brunei Darussalam, known as Brunei, is a tiny Southeast Asian Islamic sultanate. It is located on the South China Sea along the northern coast of the island of Borneo, bordering Malaysia. Brunei became a British protectorate in 1888 and achieved independence in 1984. A high-income country with a small population (491,900), half of its GDP ($35.26 billion) is based on petroleum exports.
A majority of the population is employed by the government, which provides education, health care and most other living expenses for its citizens.
Education Overview
Brunei’s education system is free to citizens, including university abroad, but not compulsory. This includes textbooks, transportation, food and hostels. Education comprises one year pre-primary, six years primary and six years middle and secondary school. This is followed by either pre-university or vocational education. Tertiary education is available from institutes, technical colleges, training centers and the senior education center, the University of Brunei Darussalam. The alternative tertiary education is overseas education paid for by the government.
Wawasan Brunei 2035
Wawasan Brunei 2035, launched in 2008, outlines Brunei’s aspirations to ensure that by 2035 its people are well-educated, highly skilled and accomplished; enjoy a high quality of life; and that the nation possesses a dynamic and sustainable economy.
The desired educational outcomes (Goal #1) are a first-class education (high-quality teachers, schools and accomplishments), equal educational opportunities (high participation) and human resource development (post-secondary education and life-long learning).
SPN21, the National Education System for the 21st Century, approved in 2007, is the platform of the Ministry of Education to achieve the educational objectives of Wawasan Brunei 2035. Its three main pillars are education structure, curriculum and assessment and technical education.
Education Challenges
Brunei and SDG 4. The United Nations’ 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development sets out 17 Sustainable Development Goals to be achieved by 2030. SDG 4 is Quality Education, to ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all. Progress on the SDGs is measured by the U.N.’s Sustainable Development Solutions Network and reported in the annual Sustainable Development Report (SDR).
Despite the vision outlined for 2025 and the plan outlined in Brunei’s SPN21, the 2025 SDR assessment of Brunei’s progress on SDG 4 was that “challenges remain,” with its score stagnating or increasing at less than 50% of the required rate. The country is seen as on track or remaining for three indicators: literacy (98%), net primary enrollment rate and lower secondary completion rate, although the secondary completion rate is stagnating. The significant challenge is in the participation rate in pre-primary organized learning, which is seeing a downward trend.
Lack of Appropriate Job Opportunities. Although the government has reported significant progress attained by Wawasan Brunei 2035 regarding education, public sentiment reflects concerns about a decline in education standards and a disconnect between job opportunities and higher education.
Economic Diversification.
Brunei’s economy has been highly dependent on oil and gas, and this may be part of the employment problem, especially since it has been suggested that the country’s oil and gas reserves would last only until 2035. The Ministry of Finance and Economy reports that this dependency has, however, been declining since Wawasan Brunei 2035 was initiated, with the oil and gas sector’s contribution to the GDP in the second quarter of 2024 reduced to 50.3%. New policies and initiatives have focused on economic diversification with the development of agriculture, fisheries, tourism and financial services being promoted. This will, perhaps, bring higher education and employment opportunities into better alignment.
Ministry of Education Strategic Plan 2023-2027
The Ministry of Education’s most recent strategic plan reflects Wawasan Brunei 2035 and SPN21. Its key success measures are primary level achievement, secondary level achievement, renowned higher education institutions, post-secondary level enrollment, employable graduates, employer satisfaction and sustainability.
The plan notes a major strategy “to provide multiple pathways in increasing access into higher education” along with “schemes… to ensure there is opportunity to enrol [sic] into higher education in the private sector.” In 2022, 388 programs were provided across multiple fields and levels. The 2022 enrollment rates across Brunei’s five priority sectors were: services 59.78%, downstream oil and gas 19.27%, information and communication technology 16.03%, tourism 2.69% and food 2.23%.
Education and Environmental Stewardship
Brunei Darussalam has, therefore, prioritized education and the role this sector plays in the long-term future of the country. A recent innovation is the link created between education and sustainability. In line with the country’s commitment to a climate-resilient and sustainable future, Brunei’s Greening Education Plan 2025-2035 provides a comprehensive national framework where all levels of the country’s education system will include “eco-conscious” principles. Attention is given to curriculum, policy, infrastructure, procurement and data management. The plan’s six primary objectives are to:
– Paula Gibson
Photo: Flickr
Girls Not Brides: Ending Child Marriage in Afghanistan
Though the legal age of marriage is 16 years for women and 18 years for men, as outlined by the Afghan Civil Code, 33 percent of girls are married by the age of 18, the internationally recommended standard legal age for marriage. These marriages essentially treat girls as property in order to strengthen ties between rival families and tribes or to settle debts and disputes. Poor families often sell their daughters for large sums of money to wealthy families and much older men.
Girls who marry in childhood have little power in their household, a greater likelihood of dropping out of school and being illiterate, lower labor force participation and earnings and less control over household assets. Thus, girls’ potential for societal contribution in Afghanistan is immediately stunted by being forced into child marriage.
Child brides, as well as their children, will likely experience a lower standard of health. Adolescent mothers also have a significantly higher risk of maternal mortality and morbidity than women just a few years older than them. These deficits, which affect not only the individuals involved in child marriages in Afghanistan but also the entire country, have not gone unnoticed.
Girls Not Brides is a global partnership committed to helping girls fulfill their potentials by putting an end to child marriage. By emphasizing accountability on behalf of governments and other participants to uphold, respect and protect the rights of girls, the organization pressures countries like Afghanistan to address the issue of child marriage.
In April 2017, the Afghan government showed its support for ending child marriage in Afghanistan by launching a National Action Plan to Eliminate Early and Child Marriage. The Ministry of Women’s Affairs and the Ministry of Information and Culture, with support from UNFPA Afghanistan, the Canadian government and a range of other activists, worked together to develop the declaration. This plan highlights two techniques: initiatives designed to prevent early and childhood marriages and improving laws and services in support of people at risk of early and child marriage.
However, orchestrating a National Action Plan is just the beginning; the plan must be implemented in order to make a difference. Organizations such as Girls Not Brides pledge to ensure that governments take action to protect their girls from underage and unlawful marriage. Initiatives with the goal of putting an end to child marriage in Afghanistan will only succeed with the support of such associations.
– Richa Bijlani
Photo: Flickr