History of Maktab Sains Paduka Seri Begawan Sultan

Maktab Sains Paduka Seri Begawan is one of the most reputable educational institutions in Negara Brunei Darussalam. Students who are high achievers in the Primary Certificate of Education from throughout the country can enter the college in Form 1 and stay on until they complete the GCE ‘A’ Level Examination. However, in 1995 the policy was changed whereby only students from the Brunei-Muara District are accepted. The school is reputed for its high standard in academic performance and excellent achievement in co-curricular activities.

The school was established in Jalan Muara, Negara Brunei Darussalam in 1969 with classes up to Lower Six (First year of the A Level course) in the Malay medium. This led to the opening of its first Upper Sixth Form in 1970. 23^rd September 1971 was the hallmark in the history of the school as it was officially opened by Al-Marhum Sultan Haji Omar Ali Saifuddien and named Maktab Melayu Paduka Seri Begawan Sultan. This was befitting, as the 28^th Sultan of Brunei was instrumental in raising the standard of education in Negara Brunei Darussalam.

The concept of integration was implemented in 1974. English medium classes were introduced that year. By 1976, there were both Malay and English classes right up to Form Five.

The changing of the name of the college to Maktab Melayu Paduka Seri Begawan Sultan / Sekolah Sains in 1978 saw the beginning of a revolution in education in Negara Brunei Darussalam. Quality education was no more the prerogative of urban children. High achievers or high calibre students from every corner of the state, however remote, were then and are still selected to enter the college. They were provided with qualified teachers and modern equipment while greater emphasis was given to science and mathematics to prepare them for the GCE ‘O’ Level Examination.

The college was renamed Maktab Sains Paduka Seri Begawan Sultan in 1985 as its status was raised to a College to include the Sixth Form in the English medium.

His Royal Highness, the Crown Prince, Pengiran Muda Makhota Pengiran Muda Haji Al-Muhtadee Billah was enrolled as a student in Secondary One on 27^th March 1986.

The first intake of Sixth Form students took place on 26^th April 1986. Princess Hajjah Rashidah Bolkiah was among the students enrolled and she and her batch graduated the following year.

Maktab Sains was one of the two schools in the country to be chosen to launch the full day school scheme. In 1990 afternoon tutorial classes, which also provided supervised homework, were held from 2 to 4 o’clock. The following year, the afternoon session was used for enrichment programmes, which proved to be beneficial to all.

New Campus

The Ministry of Education and the principal, Cikgu Hajah Norjum binti Haji Mohd. Yusop decided that the time had come to move the school to a new campus. The College building at Jalan Muara needed renovation. A larger site was also needed to accommodate the growing population of students. The school was moved to Kampung Rimba, Gadong on 3^rd February 1994. The present building has all the modern facilities such as well-equipped science, computer and language laboratories.

At the beginning of 1995, the policy of the College to accommodate only the students from Maktab Sains in the Sixth Form classes was changed. Students from other schools were taken in. This has brought about healthy competition among the Sixth-formers and there is a noticeable "give and take" attitude among the seniors of the College.

The saga of striving for excellence in every aspect of a student’s life goes on as the college continues to play a vital role in the educational field of Negara Brunei Darussalam.

Researched & Compiled by:
Mrs. Shanta Singh
History Department
MSPSBS.