History Of Maktab Sains

Maktab Sains Paduka Seri Begawan Sultan (also known as Science College) is a highly prestigious institution of education in Negara Brunei Darussalam. The history of the college started in 1966. It began as Sekolah Menengah Melayu Pertama (SMMP) in Brunei Town. The first form 4 classes in the school marked the introduction of the Upper Secondary Secondary School in 1967. Students sat for the first form 5 examination the following year. Two years after that, the school was moved to Jalan Muara and Sixth Form classes were started. This led to the opening of its first Upper Sixth Form in 1970. 23rd 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 28th 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 spectrum changed once again when in 1978, the concept of an institution providing science education was initiated. At that point, the name of the school was changed to Maktab Melayu Paduka Seri Begawan Sultan/ Sekolah Sains.

The status of the school was raised to that of a college to acknowledge the inclusion of the Sixth Form. To reflect its new status, the school was now renamed Maktab Sains Paduka Seri Begawan Sultan. In 1990, Maktab Sains became one of the two colleges in the country to be chosen to launch the scheme of full day schooling. In 1994, the Ministry of Education in consultation with the principal of the college, decided that Maktab Sains should be moved to a new campus because the existing premises on Jalan Muara needed renovation. Another crucial reason for the move was that the student student population had grown to about 800 and there was an imperative need to extend the available buildings, classrooms and laboratories as well as the sports facilities. The move took place on 23 February 1994 when the college was shifted to Kg Rimba, Gadong. The college has been in Kg Rimba, Gadong for eleven years and moved back to its own campus at Jalan Muara on 2nd April 2005. For the first time in the history of Maktab Sains, Menengah One in year 2007 was scheduled in the afternoon. In year 2008 both year 7 and Menengah One were scheduled in the afternoon as well due to the shortage of classrooms. The college student population has increased from 1095 to 1920 over the last five years. Year 7 for the year 2008 faced new challenges as they were the first batch to try out the scheme of work for the new syllabus SPN21 (Sistem Pendidikan Negara Abad Ke-21). The students will continue using the same scheme of work as in the interim SPN21 implemented last 2 years.