Answer for Oral Question PL311

QUESTION

Yang Berhormat Awang Haji Md. Salleh bin Haji Othman

YANG BERHORMAT AWANG HAJI MOHD. SALLEH BIN HAJI OTHMAN requested the MINISTER OF EDUCATION to state the plans to integrate environmental education and climate change more comprehensively into the national education curriculum in order to produce a generation that is more environmentally conscious, responsible and knowledgeable about environmental sustainability.

ANSWER

Yang Berhormat Menteri Pendidikan

For information, efforts to integrate environmental education and climate change have already been and are currently being implemented in stages through the Ministry of Education’s Pelan Pendidikan Hijau 2025–2035 or Greening Education Plan. This plan serves as a strategic guide for incorporating sustainability education and green practices throughout the entire education ecosystem, from the school level to higher education, in line with the National Climate Change Policy of Brunei Darussalam, Wawasan Brunei 2035 and the Sustainable Development Goals.

At the school level, environmental and climate change elements have been introduced progressively through the subjects of Science, Social Studies and Geography. At the primary level, students are introduced to environmental cleanliness, recycling and the effects of human activities on the environment. At the secondary level, learning is expanded to include water conservation, alternative energy sources, environmental management, pollution, global warming, as well as mitigation and adaptation measures for climate change.

Classroom learning is also reinforced through co-curricular activities and project-based learning conducted by the STEP Centre in collaboration with government agencies, the private sector and non-governmental organisations. These include Green-Schools Initiatives, STEAM Outreach, Students in STEAM, Recognize, Research, Establish, Apply, Learning (R.E.A.L) and Green School Gardening. These programmes provide students with opportunities to apply their knowledge through research, innovation, modern gardening and the resolution of real-world problems related to sustainability.

In addition, the Department of Examinations has introduced the offering of IGCSE Environmental Management, IGCSE Marine Science and IGCSE Geography under the Cambridge International curriculum, which are currently taken by a number of schools in the country.

These subjects provide students with direct exposure to current environmental issues, including natural resource management, biodiversity, marine ecosystems, pollution, natural disaster management, the physical patterns and processes of the Earth, as well as the impacts of and adaptation to climate change. This is in line with the context of Brunei Darussalam as a country rich in tropical rainforest resources and coastal areas.

The offering of these subjects is one of the Ministry’s concrete steps towards producing a generation of students who are more environmentally conscious, responsible and knowledgeable about environmental sustainability.

At the higher education and technical education levels, the integration of sustainability is also being strengthened. Universiti Brunei Darussalam has introduced the compulsory module Introduction to Sustainability for all first-year students and incorporated the Sustainable Thinkers graduate attribute. Students also conduct research and develop practical solutions through the Sustainability Living Lab initiative.

Beginning in Academic Year 2026/2027, Politeknik Brunei will introduce the core module Green and Digital Literacy for Sustainability for all students to ensure that every graduate possesses basic literacy in sustainability and climate change. In addition, students from Politeknik Brunei and the Institute of Technical Education Brunei have undergone industrial training in the field of solar energy through the Skills and Capacity for Alternative Low Carbon Energy or SCALE initiative, in collaboration with the Department of Energy, Prime Minister’s Office.

In line with the Pelan Pendidikan Hijau, educational institutions are also encouraged to become practical learning spaces or living laboratories through the sustainable management of energy, water and waste. As an initial step, a pilot school energy management initiative began in 2026, involving energy audits and training for teachers and students.

In subsequent implementation, the Ministry of Education will continue to strengthen the mapping of sustainability elements in the curriculum and learning outcomes, enhance the professional development of teachers and teaching staff, and expand project-, community- and industry-based learning.

The Ministry’s objective is not merely to increase knowledge about the environment, but also to develop green values, practices and skills. Through this comprehensive approach, students are expected not only to understand climate change issues, but also to be capable of taking responsible action and becoming leaders in the country’s sustainability efforts.