How about a story about a school that faced royal scrutiny? That’s Rimba Arabic School. This school isn’t just any educational institution. It’s a place where tradition meets modernity.
Rimba Arabic School is located in Rimba. Rimba is a subdistrict of Brunei-Muara District. The school demonstrates Brunei’s commitment to religious education.
Let’s step back to a pivotal moment. His Majesty Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah made an unscheduled visit. It was a visit that would highlight the importance of safety and quality. The Sultan’s visit underscored the need for vigilance in maintaining standards. This applied especially to schools and mosques.
His Majesty toured the 48 million dollar Rimba Arabic Secondary School. It had just opened on January 2. The opening followed delays of over two years. The school houses more than 1,700 students.
During his inspection, the Sultan questioned the sturdiness of the school railings. He considered them unsafe. The Ministry of Religious Affairs claimed the railings met standards. His Majesty emphasized independent inspections before handovers.
The Rimba Arabic School has space for 2,000 students. It includes classrooms and science labs. There are also language laboratories and lecture halls. A multi-purpose hall and teachers’ room are available. The school also provides a library, surau, canteen, and grandstand field. Security devices closely monitor the premise.
Construction of Rimba Arabic School began in 2014. It proceeded alongside another religious school in Kampung Katok. Before this, Brunei had seven religious schools. The first was Sekolah Menengah Arab Laki-Laki Hassanal Bolkiah built in 1964.
The school’s facade displays traditional Islamic motifs. It sits in front of a manicured lawn. Arkitek Opfis designed the building. Completing the project took slightly more than four years.
CLEAN COLORBOND ULTRA prepainted steel was chosen for durability. It offers exceptional corrosion resistance. The roofing uses LYSAGHT LOCKED SEAM and LYSAGHT SPANDEK profiles.
NS BlueScope Lysaght Brunei achieved two milestones with this project. The roofing area is the largest the firm has supplied for a single project. The Blossom Green CLEAN COLORBOND ULTRA perfectly matches the architect’s specified RAL code.
Interestingly, educators from Malaysia visited Rimba Arabic School. They aimed to collaborate on new teaching methods. They also shared experiences in Arabic language teacher training.
Rimba Arabic School stands as a testament to Brunei’s dedication. It is dedicated to religious education. It strives for excellence. The school also serves as a reminder of the importance of safety.