The Department of Town and Country Planning (TCP) is working with the Ministry of Education to re-locate a school that was found to be unsuitable in terms of traffic and safety aspects.
The relocation project is an ongoing initiative between TCP and the Ministry of Education, especially for schools that are too close to major roads and pose a risk to students and road users.
This was shared by Minister of Development Yang Berhormat Dato Seri Setia Awang Haji Muhammad Juanda bin Haji Abdul Rashid at the 21st Legislative Council (LegCo) session yesterday responding to the question by LegCo member Yang Berhormat Lawi bin Haji Lamat on school development guideline.
The minister cited an example of a new site of six acres in STKRJ Mata-Mata, Gadong, that has been identified and approved in 2009 to move Sinar Matahari School to the location. “DES School in Kampong Serusop was moved to a two-acre approved site in 2014, and an additional 0.832 acres was approved in 2024 for the expansion of the school,” he added.
In terms of physical infrastructure in the school area, he said, “several improvements have been made to ensure students’ safety. Pedestrian overpasses are also provided near schools located on the main road to allow students to cross the road safely without disrupting traffic flow and there are plans to build more overpasses around the school area, especially in the Brunei-Muara District.
As an example, he said, “a new flyover on Jalan Gadong, Kampong Jangsak (opposite the Jubli Perak Mosque and near Seri Mulia Sarjana School) was built in 2023. The flyover aimed at improving the safety of pedestrians and help smooth the flow of traffic by reducing pedestrian crossings on main roads.”
The minister also shared the two main guideline documents relating to school development prepared in 2020.
Firstly, the School Site Identification Guidelines (2020) which set out criteria in identifying suitable sites for the construction of government or private schools. The guide is used as a reference to ensure that the location of new schools is strategic located and does not pose safety or traffic problems.
Secondly, the Guidelines and Standards Planning for Schools and Childcare Centres (2020).
The guideline outlines the design standards and infrastructure requirements for school and childcare centre development projects. It is used as a reference in the Planning Permission application process; so that each proposed development of educational institutions meets the specified safety and traffic flow requirements.
He said, “These guidelines ensure that school site planning and design take into account factors such as adequate parking space, dedicated routes for student drop-off and pick-up, and orderly access from main roads.
“This is important to avoid congestion during school hours and reduce safety risks to students.”
He added, “Insya Allah efforts will continue in monitoring the compliance of the guidelines and further improve safety aspects in school areas, for the well-being and safety of students and road users.” – James Kon
