What Is Primary School?
A primary school is simply defined as an elementary school, junior school or grade school where children receive a primary or elementary education. Typically, children enter primary school after completing preschool. A primary education prepares children for transitioning to secondary school.
What is the Best Age to Start Primary School in Brunei?
Children in Brunei start primary school at the age of six and it is compulsory. Primary education takes six years to complete. Students will go through a 3-year lower primary phase (Year 1 to Year 3) and a 3-year upper primary phase (Year 4 to Year 6). By the end of Year 6, it is compulsory for students to take the Primary School Assessment or Penilaian Sekolah Rendah (PSR). This is to assess the students’ suitability for secondary education and to place them in the suitable secondary school course that suits their learning abilities.
Brunei Primary Schools Curriculum
The Brunei primary school curriculum subjects are taught in the English language except for the Malay Language class known as Bahasa Melayu. From Year 1 to 3, students will have core subjects of English and Malay language, Mathematics and Science, while the compulsory subjects are Islamic Religious Knowledge, Physical Education, Co-curriculum, three modules that are Information and Communications Technology (ICT), Art and Design, along with Music and Drama. Students of Year 4 to 6 will also study the same core subjects as Year 1 to 3 students. However, the compulsory subjects consist of Islamic Religious Knowledge, Malay Islamic Monarchy, Physical Education, Co-curriculum, Social Studies, including the three modules that are Information and Communications Technology (ICT), Art and Design, along with Music and Drama.
Types of Primary Schools in Brunei
In Brunei, there are primary schools in the government and private sectors. Government primary schools are free for locals while foreign students might have to pay a fee. On the other hand, private or international primary schools in Brunei are available but might cost more for foreign students, while local students pay a lower fee.
How Do You Apply to Primary Schools in Brunei?
Parents can apply to primary schools in Brunei by visiting the school’s website to browse through information such as the intake dates and fees which are displayed. If parents need more information, they can always reach out to a school representative via email or phone.
What are the Average Fees for Primary Schools in Brunei?
Public primary schools are free for local students while foreign students might need to pay a fee. As for international primary schools, the fees can range from BD8,000 to BD30,000 per year. Therefore, it is important for parents to determine whether they are interested in enrolling their child into a government or private primary school before seeking out for more information.
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