Azlan Othman

The Ministry of Education (MoE) through the Department of Examinations announced the release of Brunei-Cambridge (BC) GCE ‘O’ Level and International General Certificate of Secondary Education (IGCSE) October/November 2019 results yesterday.

As for the achievements in Brunei-Cambridge GCE ’O’ Level / IGCSE Examinations, this year, 6,147 candidates sat for Brunei-Cambridge GCE ‘O’ Level including IGCSE.

From that figure, 1,164 or 18.94 per cent have achieved between eight and 11 ‘O’ levels subjects, an increase of 0.56 per cent whilst 2,525 candidates or 41.08 per cent obtained between five and 11 ‘O’ levels which is an increase of 1.67 per cent.

There are 2,987 or 48.59 per cent candidates achieving at least four ‘O’ levels which also marked an increase of 1.16 per cent compared to the achievements in 2018. Out of 6,029 government and private school candidates, 2,524 or 41.86 per cent candidates have obtained at least five ‘O’ levels.

This is a 1.20 per cent increase from last year. A further 2,985 or 49.51 per cent candidates obtained a minimum of four ‘O’ levels which also saw a rise of 0.59 per cent from 2018’s figure. A total of 309 school candidates (5.13 per cent) achieved Grade A in five and up to 11 subjects.

Out of this figure, 30 candidates (0.49 per cent) have shown exemplary achievement by attaining Aggregate 6, Grade A* in six and up to nine subjects.

This achievement is an increase of 0.19 per cent from 2018. Additionally, 13 candidates (0.22 per cent) have achieved Grade A in nine subjects and three of whom are candidates from government schools. Thirty-nine candidates (0.65 per cent) obtained Grade A in eight subjects.

Out of this figure, 13 candidates were government school candidates. A total of 70 candidates (1.16 per cent) obtained Grade A in seven subjects, 82 candidates received Grade A in six subjects and another 102 candidates (1.69 per cent) secured Grade A in five subjects. A total of 893 or 16.81 per cent of government school candidates achieved between eight and 11 ‘O’ levels which is an increase of 0.72 per cent compared to last year’s achievement.

Out of 5,313 government school candidates, a total of 2,020 or 38.02 per cent obtained at least five ‘O’ levels. This achievement is a rise of 1.33 per cent from 2018’s performance. Pengiran Jaya Negara Pengiran Haji Abu Bakar Secondary School has continued to secure another record of 100 per cent passes in its students achieving a minimum of five ‘O’ levels.

Another school has achieved 91.24 per cent in this category and another recorded 84.62 per cent in students achieving at least 5 ‘O’ levels.

Twenty-nine out of 49 schools – from which 21 are government schools and 8 private schools have shown improved performance of between 1.44 per cent and 17.41 per cent compared to 2018’s achievements.

For 2019, 741 candidates under General Secondary Programme four years (Year 10), i.e. those following two years of lower secondary and two years in upper secondary. Out of this number, 663 or 89.47 per cent candidates are from government schools.

420 government school candidates or 63.35 per cent achieved between eight and 11 ‘O’ levels whilst 605 government school candidates or 91.25 per cent obtained at least five ‘O’ levels and 625 candidates or 94.27 per cent obtained a minimum of four ’O’ levels.

Meanwhile for achievements in BC GCE ‘O’ Level and IGCSE, on the whole, candidates’ performance in achieving Grades A to C in B-C GCE ‘O’ Level for 14 out of 28 subjects has markedly increased namely in Pengetahuan Ugama Islam, English Language, Mathematics Syllabus D, Biology, Physics, Literature in English, Ulum Al-Quran, History (2171), Computer Science, Geography, Economics, Bahasa Arab, Commerce and Principles of Account. These figures show improvements of between 0.59 per cent and 18.04 per cent.

For IGCSE examination, candidates’ performance in Enterprise subject increased by 0.75 per cent compared to 2018.

Students who have taken the exam can obtain their result slip from their respective schools during school hours while private candidates can collect their results from the Department of Examinations at the MoE during working hours.

The Ministry of Education also announced that students or eligible members of the public who would like to sit for Brunei-Cambridge GCE ‘O’ Level / IGCSE examinations in May/June 2020, should register as soon as possible through their respective school or from the Department of Examinations at the MoE during office hours.

The closing date for the May/June exam registration for private candidates is Thursday, February 15. School candidates must submit their exam registration to their schools.