The move towards the use of ODL in Brunei Darussalam

1. Records show that the number of students eligible for tertiary studies is increasing annually. Since demand exceeds supply, therefore, places for study at local institutions are becoming limited, and consequently, entry onto local tertiary institutions is rather competitive and admission requirement is getting higher and tougher to fulfill.

2. As a major employer employing about 60% of the workforce in Brunei, and in order to continuously fulfill constant human resource development requirements, the government may wish to opt for a new strategy such as this method of delivery, so as to avoid vacuuming within its workforce if training and skills delivery have to be implemented conventionally. In addition, the perceived benefit of ODL capable of providing such requirements at a faster rate would certainly be worth exploring.

3. In the present context of ever changing global economy, coupled with the explosion of knowledge, advances in technologies particularly in information and communication technology, the need to constantly update oneself to acquire various skills and new knowledge is indeed a necessity if one is to participate fully in society and economy. In this respect, the flexible nature of ODL becomes an attractive option in fulfilling such needs.

4. Since Brunei has established a well-developed ICT network, therefore, this facilitates various government ICT based projects such as e-government, e-education, e-learning, e-library, including the implementation ODL system should a decision has been made concerning this.

5. Consistent with the Ministry of Education mission to provide holistic education to achieve fullest potential for all, and in line with strategic goals laid out which among others include: provide more choice of education; develop life-long learning skills; including, prepare students with valuable and marketable skills. These blend in towards the use of ODL as one of the ways of achieving those goals.