Administration and Management of the Education System

The Ministry of Education is responsible for the entire education system. At the top of the organizational structure is the Minister who is assisted by the Deputy Minister. Together, they are responsible for decision-making on all important policy matters.

The Ministry has two permanent Secretaries. The first is responsible for ministerial, administrative, international affairs and public relations; he/she is assisted by the Special Duties Officer. The second permanent Secretary is responsible for all professional aspects of policy and planning and its implementation; he/she is assisted by the Director General of Education.

There are eight departments, five units and a secretariat within the organizational structure of the Ministry of Education and these are headed by directors and other senior personnel. The departments and units include the following: Department of Schools; Department of Planning, Development and Research; Department of Curriculum Development; Department of Technical Education; Department of Examinations; Department of Administration and Services; Department of Co-Curriculum; Department of Schools Inspectorate; Special Education Unit; Unit of Planning and Building Maintenance; International and Public Relations Unit; Training and Scholarship Unit; the Unit for Recruitment of Teachers; and the Science, Technology and Environment Partnership Centre.

As part of the organizational structure of the Ministry there are the Education Planning Council, the National Accreditation Council and the Technical and Vocational Education Council. The Education Planning Council is chaired by the Minister of Education and provides a high-level forum for the discussion of the policy and planning issues as they relate to all levels of the education system. The Council includes in its membership the Deputy Minister, both Permanent Secretaries and all Directors.

The Brunei Darussalam National Accreditation Council is chaired by the Minister of Education and is the sole national body responsible for evaluating and assessing qualifications recognized by the government. The Council is assisted by a Secretariat which is a unit within the office of Permanent Secretary I.

The Brunei Darussalam Technical and Vocational Education Council is chaired by the Deputy Minister of Education and validates programmes, establishes standards of performance, and awards certificates in the technical and vocational education and training system. The Council maintains close contact and liaison with both public and private sector agencies whose work and programmes may have relevance to technical and vocational education and training needs.

The Ministry of Religious Affairs is responsible for Islamic religious education.