A critical study of the educational system in Brunei Darussalam in the light of Al-Attas’ philosophy of education

Abstract

This study investigates the existence of duality in the Bruneian educational system. It highlights the efforts that have been made towards achieving ideal Islamic patterns of education through the implementation of the Integrated Education system from January 2004 to December 2005. The study found that the former Integrated Education system approximates the Al-Attas model of thought in education. Fieldwork research was conducted using a questionnaire and structured interview instruments to gather data. The questionnaire involved 113 general primary schools teachers and 234 parents of students at the primary six level. It was found that several factors led to the failure of the Integrated Education system such as misunderstanding and incorrect perceptions regarding the aims and curriculum structure of the system, lack of infrastructure and facilities, culture and attitudes and insufficient acknowledgement of the implementation of the system. The data findings also prove that majority of the general primary school teachers in Brunei Darussalam lack adequate knowledge on the issue of dualist education. Although Brunei currently runs the dual type of education, it is suggested that the implementation of Islamic elements across the curriculum should be continued and the Islamic Revealed Knowledge should be a compulsory subject up to the upper secondary level to all Muslim students