School Guide

10 Things You Need to Know About International Schools in Malaysia

Published by SchoolAdvisor | Apr 11, 2018

1. What is an international school?

International schools offer learning and teaching experiences that are distinct from public and private schools. They promote international education by adapting a foreign curriculum such as the International Baccalaureate (IB) or the International General Certificate of Secondary Education (IGCSE) in a diverse environment.

Of course, the provision of international schools goes beyond the types of curriculum offered. It is often accompanied by other crucial elements such as the values, ethics and actions of the school.

2. Why is international school a great choice?

An international school exposes your children to a dynamic environment and comprehensive education system that will nurture them to learn and grow holistically.

This will help them tremendously when it is time for them to dip their feet into the global society in future. Meeting peers from different walks of life in a varied environment will effectively broaden their horizon and prepare them for upcoming challenges in life.

3. Where can my child study?

Over the years, the number of international schools in Malaysia has skyrocketed due to their popularity. Parents are hustling to give their children the best education in hopes that the young ones will have a brighter future.

These schools are more concentrated in busy cities like Klang Valley, Johor and Penang. With some of them being boarding schools, parents need not worry about their child travelling back and forth.

4. What is in it for my child?

Generally, local international schools offer internationally recognised curricula such as IB and IGCSE, with some schools even providing combined curricula to cater to a specific market of parents and students. Depending on your needs and interests, you can scroll through and shortlist several choices before making the decision.

5. Is it expensive?

International schools are not as expensive as everyone thinks they are. The rise of such schools all over the country has sparked a price war. With annual fees as low as RM20,000 to RM160,000, parents can now choose from a large number of affordable schools according to their financial capabilities.

6. What is the classroom dynamic like?

The class sizes in international schools are half the size of public schools, comprising up to 20 students compared to 30 to 40 students in public schools. This helps to avoid any negligible outcome by the teachers, and your child will be able to focus and pay more attention in class.

The cultural diversity, international opportunities available, and holistic and child-centred approach to education create an environment that encourage your child to reach her full potential.

7. What facilities will be provided for my child?

For the amount of fees you will be paying, needless to say, the school is equipped with the latest technology and some of the best modern facilities ranging from science laboratories to hi-tech computers.

Considering how the young are getting more tech-savvy as time passes, incorporating technology into their education will give them a further boost in learning and experience.

8. Can I be involved in my child’s education life?

International schools are like people, each of them having a different personality and image to uphold. Depending on the particular school, they may or may not encourage parent involvement in students’ education.

However, most international schools try to involve parents as much as possible by cordially inviting them to activities such as Sport’s Day and festival celebrations.

9. Is the quality of international schools in Malaysia assured? 

The Private Education Department (PED) under the Ministry of Education ensures that international schools comply with the regulations provided before approving their licences. It is a stringent process.

PED is known to be extremely strict with its standards and schools caught violating any rules have been severely punished and fined. Therefore, rest assured that the quality of international schools will not be anything but top-class.

10. What is the future path of my child?

The qualifications obtained from international schools are recognised worldwide by higher learning institutions. Your child will be on the pathway to furthering her studies in local institutions such as Universiti Malaya and International Islamic University or pursuing studies overseas.

While certifications from international schools generally increase the graduate's chances of entry to foreign universities, some local tertiary institutions also formally recognise international certificates such as the IB diploma.