Towards Wawasan Brunei 2035: Early Childhood Education and Development in Brunei Darussalam

  • Hanapi Mohamad
  • Rosyati M. Yaakub
  • Emma Claire Pearson
  • Jennifer Tan Poh Sim
Chapter
Part of the Springer International Handbooks of Education book series (SIHE)

Abstract

Asia’s early childhood education policies and development are still relatively new compared to European countries. Brunei Darussalam is no exception. However, Brunei may be of interest to international readers because of recent developments in the provision of formalised early childhood care and education. Brunei’s National Vision, known as Wawasan 2035, is an ambitious national agenda which supports the formal education system, among others, with specific emphasis on early childhood education and care as part of the strategic role of education. Brunei’s national goals are unique due to its widespread consultation with the citizens, on which they are built, as well as their attempt to balance modernisation with parallel efforts to retain essential cultural and spiritual values. Government commitment to this particular agenda has been forthcoming both in terms of changes in policy, ongoing supported efforts to upgrade the quality of teaching and learning in existing government preschools and funding for innovative approaches to expanding early childhood care and education.

This chapter provides insight into past and current systems of early care and learning opportunities for young children in Brunei Darussalam, as well as describing future goals and innovative initiatives designed to strengthen and expand early childhood education and care in the nation, with particular reference to a national research and development project that aims to produce a Brunei-specific curriculum for 3–5-year-olds in the country. Part of the government’s intention of expanding the current system of state-funded provision is to include children between 3 and 5 years of age.

Keywords

Brunei’s preschool education system 
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Copyright information

© Springer Science+Business Media B.V. 2018

Authors and Affiliations

  • Hanapi Mohamad
    • 1
  • Rosyati M. Yaakub
    • 1
  • Emma Claire Pearson
    • 1
  • Jennifer Tan Poh Sim
    • 1
  1. 1.Universiti Brunei DarussalamGadongBrunei

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