International School Brunei (ISB) has officially opened the ISB Centre for Inclusive Learning (CIL) Bandar, extending its specialist provision for children with Special Educational Needs to families in the Brunei-Muara district.
Located in Kg Sungai Hanching, Bandar Seri Begawan, ISB CIL Bandar brings the school’s award-winning specialist learning approach closer to families in the capital and surrounding communities.
The opening follows the establishment of the ISB CIL in Panaga, Kuala Belait, in January 2021. With a mission to nurture students who learn in different ways within a holistic and positive environment, ISB CIL provides specialist support tailored to individual learners.
Recognised internationally as the TES Specialist Provision Provider of the Year 2025, ISB CIL delivers bespoke programmes tailored to each child’s individual strengths, needs and learning journey.
ISB CIL Bandar Extends Specialist Learning Support
The new centre brings ISB’s specialist provision to families in the Brunei-Muara district.
Its approach focuses on understanding how each child learns and providing support that reflects their individual needs. The centre aims to create a supportive learning setting where students can develop academically, socially and emotionally.
The ISB CIL team consists of dedicated and highly experienced staff who work to ensure that the needs of all students are met.
For parents, the new centre provides another option for specialist educational support within Brunei, particularly for children who may benefit from a more personalised learning environment.
The opening was attended by representatives from the Ministry of Education, the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports, ISB’s Board of Directors, school leadership, staff and parents.
Government And Education Leaders Attend Opening
Attending as the guest of honour was Dr Shamsiah Zuraini Kanchanawati binti Haji Tajuddin, Permanent Secretary (Core Education) at the Ministry of Education (MOE).
Present from the ISB Board of Directors were Mr Nicholas King, Deputy Board Chairman; Haji Rashid Abdul Razak; and Mr Roy David Kurian.
From the Department of Private Education, Ministry of Education, those in attendance were Awang Sofian Erwan bin Mohamad, Director of the Private Education Department; Hajah Zuraidah binti Haji Awang Md Salleh, Deputy Assistant Director; and Hajah Nizahaida binti Haji Md Ali, Education Officer.
Present from the Department of Special Education, Ministry of Education, were Dr Hajah Mustazah binti Awang Maidin, Acting Director of the Special Education Department; and Pg Haziq Al-Mukhtar bin Pg Haji Shahbudin, Senior Education Officer.
Also attending from the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports were Hajah Siti Zarena binti Haji Ismail, Acting Director of the Social Services Division, and Nurul Nazurah binti Jaya, B2 Officer (PWD Division), Department of Community Development (JAPEM).
Also present were Mr Dominic Morley, Executive Principal of ISB; Ms Vienna Law, ISB General Manager; Ms Suzie Rush, Head of Inclusion at ISB and Head of the ISB Centre for Inclusive Learning; ISB senior management and staff; and parents.
Understanding Each Child Is At The Heart Of The Approach
Ms Suzie Rush, Head of Inclusion at ISB and Head of the ISB Centre for Inclusive Learning, also gave a speech during the opening.
“Our approach brings together evidence-based educational best practice, developmental psychology and occupational therapy to build confidence, flexibility, independence and new skills. Because when we understand each child, we can make better decisions about how to support them. And when children experience success, they become more willing and more able to learn.”
The approach combines educational practice with developmental psychology and occupational therapy to support children’s individual development.
For families, this means that support is designed around the learner rather than applying the same approach to every child.
The centre’s focus is on helping students build confidence, flexibility, independence and new skills while supporting their academic, social and emotional development.
A Place Where Children Can Develop At Their Own Pace
Rush also highlighted the importance of creating an environment where children can feel a sense of belonging and develop according to their individual learning journey.
“Today, we are opening a new chapter with ISB CIL Bandar. It is a place where children can be themselves, where they can develop at their own pace, where they can discover what they can achieve, and where they can know that they belong. Because our children do not need fixing; they need understanding, opportunities and people who believe in what they can achieve. This is what ISB CIL Bandar is here to provide, because everyone can excel when difference is celebrated, and we’re proud to be different.”
The statement reflects the centre’s focus on recognising difference and providing opportunities that allow individual learners to progress.
For parents, this can be an important consideration when exploring specialist education. The suitability of a learning environment depends not only on academic provision, but also on whether children receive the understanding, support and opportunities they need to develop.
Opening Ceremony Marks A New Chapter For ISB
The speeches were followed by a ribbon-cutting by the guest of honour and the ISB Deputy Board Chairman to officially mark the opening of ISB CIL Bandar.
The ceremony then continued with a variety of performances by students from ISB CIL as well as from the main ISB campus.
The guest of honour, ISB Board of Directors and guests also had the opportunity to go on a tour of the exceptionally resourced CIL Bandar.
The opening provides ISB with an opportunity to extend its specialist provision to more families while building on the experience of its established CIL in Panaga.
Personalised Support For Families In Brunei-Muara
ISB CIL Bandar brings ISB’s award-winning specialist provision to families in the Brunei-Muara district.
The centre provides personalised support designed to enable every learner to thrive academically, socially and emotionally.
For educators and school leaders, its approach also highlights the role of specialist provision in supporting children who learn in different ways.
Meanwhile, for parents considering educational options for children with Special Educational Needs, the opening offers a new local specialist provision within the Brunei-Muara district.
ISB says its CIL team will continue to nurture excellence and ignite minds through a supportive learning setting that recognises each child’s strengths, needs and individual learning journey.
