UK consultants to scrutinise Brunei's new education plan

THREE consultants from the United Kingdom are assisting Brunei to develop its plans for educational reforms, as another step towards fully implementing the new 21st national education system next year.

Senior officials from the Ministry of Education yesterday met consultants from the Qualifications and Curriculum Authority (QCA) to discuss strategies and policy formulations which can be incorporated into the draft document of the National Educational System for the 21st Century (SPN21).

"Assistance from the consultants will hopefully enable the ministry to review and consolidate educational reforms proposed in the SPN 21 draft document for validation and endorsement," a press statement said.

During their week-long visit to the sultanate, the consultants were expected to conduct a critical review study of the SPN 21 draft document and to further improve the educational plans.

Furthermore, the consultants would identify possible implementation strategies for the new education system, particularly teacher training and developing the school curriculum.

The consultants, Thomas Robert Leney, head of QCA's International Unit; Mark Andrew Orrow-Whitting; programme manager of the QCA's Curriculum Division and Strategic Manager Sandra Stalker also paid a courtesy call to the Minister of Education yesterday.

In a briefing at the ministry yesterday, Dato Paduka Hj Sheikh Adnan Sheikh Mohamad, permanent secretary at the Ministry of Education, gave an overview of what the consultants can expect during their visit and discussions on potential areas for improvement.

To gain first hand experience of local educational institutions' teaching and learning environment, the consultants will visit the Youth Development Centre, primary and secondary schools, vocational and technical colleges as well as a private school throughout the country.

Another agenda in their itinerary is to hold several dialogue sessions with stakeholders, including officials from other government agencies, representatives from the various business communities, as well as board members from the Centre for Strategic and Policy Studies.

The Ministry of Education hoped that ideas generated from the dialogue sessions would lead to relevant educational planning that can be incorporated into the SPN 21 draft document.

The consultants will then provide feedback on reform suggestions to the ministry after wrapping up their visit next Thursday.

The Qualifications and Curriculum Authority is a non-departmental public body which began operations in 1997.

Its main functions include developing school curriculums and its assessment, supporting the development of vocational learning and monitoring qualifications in schools.

The Brunei Times