Guide to Choosing the Right International School in Malaysia

Malaysia is one of the countries with a rapidly improving education system. Most of the international schools are located in Kuala Lumpur, the capital of Malaysia. International schools believe in the importance of practicality and experience. Therefore, they don’t completely depend on the textbook and classroom teaching method, instead they focus on the practicality of the lessons. 

The school refrains from using monotonous interaction and prefers an active class with two way teaching. They have also made this possible in the online mode where debates and discussions on current topics are encouraged. Hence using these unconventional methods of teaching benefits the students by making learning fun and interesting as well as the teachers with more use of modern-day technological equipment. Along with this, the schools provide playgrounds, courts and various instruments which encourage the students to engage in physical exercises. 

International Schools in Malaysia

The international schools in Malaysia always have their team of professionals trained so that they can help the students to believe in themselves and increase their confidence. International schools, in general, have a lot to offer in their curriculum, including and not limited to, inquiry-based learning, sports, art and music for all-around well being, etc. An international school in Malaysia has a core mission to shape the students as one of the best role models of the current education system. They work hard at providing a holistic education in a welcoming learning environment. 

Their commitment to excellence in academic and non-academic arenas has encouraged students to do well inside as well as outside the classroom setting to become self-motivated, lifelong learners. They make sure that their students turn out to be the best version of themselves by providing them quality education, physical well-being, mental and spiritual development. This also encourages them to become well-rounded global citizens. Their mission is to not only transform the children into global leaders but also for their organization to become a global educational model. The students are inspired from this ambition and therefore crave success which allows them to contribute to the advancement of their society.

International Schools in Malaysia

Malaysia has over 171 English medium International Schools and is already prepared and ready to launch more of these institutions. The sum total of the international schools has seemingly skyrocketed by 75 % over the past 5 years and the number of admissions has increased by 87 %. The Government of Malaysia is looking to expand the income of the nation and benefit its economy. 

To this effort, it has realised that raising and providing education to talented and proficient foreigners or expats by the means of an international education is the best way to do so. This has majorly contributed to the rise in demand for international schools in Malaysia. A lot of Malaysian citizens have also begun enrolling their children in Malaysian schools, in fact it has been seen that almost 50 % of the student population at international schools is made up of Malaysian locals. Due to this, schools have even begun increasing the number of campuses they have in the country to keep up with the spiralling demand. 

How to choose the right school for your child?

In order to ensure that the school you are considering is the right one for your child, you must look into the vision, mission and aims of the school. Check whether the morals and ethics that the school imparts are the ones that you want your child to stand by for the rest of their lives. 

The fees structure and financial aid that the schools provide is also a vital part of the selection process since it should be within the budget that you have set aside. Most international schools in Malaysia have an average fee of approximately RM25,000 to RM50,000 including all the educational levels. The fee structure varies from school to school depending on the facilities, amenities and curriculum that the school provides. 

Curriculums followed by International Schools in Malaysia :

An international school would typically follow an international board such as the International Baccalaureate (IB), previously known as the International Baccalaureate, the National curriculum of England, the Australian curriculum, the American curriculum, Montessori curriculum, etc. 

All these boards prepare the students to be future citizens of the world, and also prepare them to pursue a future of their choice in the university or the career of their choice. The students are also well – equipped to face high level, competitive and strenuous exams such as the CET, COMED-K, AIEEE, IIT, and many others with much ease.

There are over almost 70 international schools in the city of Kuala Lumpur, all of which have varying fee structures based on their facilities and other deciding factors.

Montessori Schools in Kuala Lumpur

Montessori schools are schools that follow the Montessori Method of Education. This method was devised back in the early 1900’s by the Italian physician Maria Montessori. She spent many years studying children and their response to different methods of teaching; she spoke of her study by calling it ‘scientific pedagogy’. 

The Montessori Method of Education is essentially a child – focused modus operandi as opposed to the traditional school method that is teacher and lesson centered. The Montessori schools pay attention to each child’s specific needs. Some out of the box practices that are particular to Montessori schools are: mixed-age classrooms, student liberty for e.g. they can choose an activity of their choice, extended periods of undisturbed work time, and specially trained remarkable teachers. 

There are more than twenty thousand (20,000) Montessori schools in the entire world and the numbers are only increasing. A lot of public schools have also begun adopting the Montessori Method of Education. Most schools are also upgrading to the Global Montessori Plus(GMP) Programme. This is basically customisation of Maria Montessori’s world-renowned method of kindergarten teaching. The ‘Plus’ in GMP is an integration of the original theory with modern methodologies designed through contemporary research and insight for a nursery school. They have infused the fundamentals of formal learning at a Montessori school with the latest innovative learning tools, to offer unique development and growth opportunities for the students.

Best International Schools in Malaysia are listed below :

Global Indian International School (GIIS)

The Global Indian International School (GIIS) is one of the best, top ranked schools in Kuala Lumpur. The school was first established back in 2002 and now has more than 21 campuses spread all throughout Asia. When it comes to academics, the school has some of the best faculty and management who make learning an engaging experience. The school also has a number of extracurricular and co – curricular activities, and also offers first class facilities to make the students’ learning experience as interesting and memorable as possible. As for the school fee structure, the GIIS has a pretty straightforward clear fee structure that is easy to follow.

 The rules are as following: 

  1. The Application fees which are one time and non – refundable 
  2. The Enrolment fees which are one time and non refundable,
  3. The Security Deposit which in one time and refundable
  4. Tuition fees which is a recurring fee that is to paid every term 
  5. The Activity fee which is also a recurring fee meant to be paid each term. 
  6. Transportation fees are also included.

There are also a variety of scholarships made available to deserving students. These scholarships include the Global Citizens Scholarship, the 9 GEMS Holistic Development Scholarship, the Dr APJ Abdul Kalam Global Skills Scholarship, Tunku Abdul Rahman Universal Values Merit-cum-Means scholarship, Global FUTURE-READY Merit Scholarship. 

Conclusion

With the above-mentioned bullet points of their unconventional frameworks and many others, these Montessori schools have managed to give the best results over the years. Many High school students and their parents have put their trust in this school and their teachers. These schools work hard day and night to give these parents and their wards an education lined with satisfaction. 

By focusing on the overall development of a child in all sectors, this school prepares the students for their future duties and endeavours. For higher secondary students, these schools aim to induce a sense of responsibility towards their goals. A modern mix of cultures brought about by such schools brings the teachings of these cultures together and gives every student the best of all worlds.