Schooling for compulsory education is fully subsidised by the government for the citizens of Brunei and it usually extends to post-secondary and university.

[5][3][4] Although Malay is the official language of Brunei, English is the main medium of instruction in most primary and secondary schools as well as colleges and universities.

Following the country's 1984 independence from the United Kingdom, numerous new efforts were launched with the goal of enhancing national identity and advancing human resources.

Compulsory education begins with a one-year preschool (commonly known as pra), expected at the age of 5.

Prior to the current education system Sistem Pendidikan Negara Abad ke-21, the primary years were formerly known by the name 'Primary' ('Darjah') and adopt Roman numerals, e.g. 'Primary IV'.

The national examination was Penilaian Menengah Bawah ("Lower Secondary Assessment") which was taken at the end of Form III.

[9] With Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah's approval, the Institut Pendidikan Teknikal Brunei (IBTE) was founded on 27 May 2014, during the celebration of Isra' and Mi'raj.

The Department of Technical Education's legislated duties will be replaced by IBTE, which will also be responsible for converting the current administrative structure into one based on the board of governance constitution.

Restructuring the technical education system to make it more relevant and responsive to the demands of the nation is the motivation for the creation of IBTE.

IBTE aims to support the government's goal of turning Brunei into a nation with highly trained and educated citizens who are also resilient and active economically, all of which contribute to a high standard of life that is consistent with Wawasan Brunei 2035.

The little rise in enrolment that followed the law indicates that, rather than being a direct outcome of the legislation, the high numbers were probably caused by parents feeling obligated to give religious education.

These included the following: Al-Quraan; Tauhid (Divinity); Ibadat (Obedience); Toharoh (Hygiene); Solat (Prayers); Zakat (Tithe); Puasa (Fasting); Hajj (Pilgrimage); Muamalat (Commerce); Munakahat (Marriage); Jinayat (Crime); Adab (Manners); Tarikh (History); Tajwid (Quraanic elocution); Faraid (Property and probate); Tasauf (Spiritual purity); Latihan Amali Ugama (Religious practice); and Dikir (Psalms).

As of January 2015, the Ugama school syllabus begins with pre-school, covering subjects like Al-Quraan, Amali, Tauhid, Adab, Jawi introduction, and Arabic language.