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6. www.EducationDestinationMalaysia.com8 Education Destination Malaysia: Guide to International Private Schools 9
INTRODUCTION
Welcome to the second edition of Education
Destination Malaysia: Guide to International
Private Schools.
We are proud to once again produce this annual
publication, which serves as the definitive resource on
the international and private school system in Malaysia
for parents of prospective students.
The number of international and private schools in
Malaysia has grown by leaps and bounds in recent
years, and parents now have an amazing array of
options – in terms of cost, curriculum, size, location,
facilities, and other factors – to choose from.
Parents considering sending their children for an
international or private education often ask us: “Which
school is the best school?” The answer to that question
is that there is no “best” school, but there is a “right”
school for each and every child.
The purpose of Education Destination Malaysia: Guide to
International Private Schools is to help parents find the
“right” school for their children.
The book contains practical articles taking parents
step by step through the school selection, application
and enrollment process; an in-depth overview of the
international and private school system in Malaysia; a
comprehensive school directory with detailed profiles
of individual schools; and informative articles about
various topics including curriculum options, pre-
university opportunities, and learning centers.
We hope that this guide will serve as a valuable
resource for parents of prospective students,
empowering them to make informed decisions about
their children’s education.
Parents should also make sure to visit
www.EducationDestinationMalaysia.com, the official
website of the publication, which is the premier source
of ongoing news and information about the international
and private schools in the country.
Another way parents can find out more about the
educational options that these schools offer is by
attending our Private International School Fairs
(PISF), which are held throughout the year in Kuala
Lumpur, Johor and Penang. Education Destination
Malaysia: Guide to International Private Schools is the
official publication of the PISF.
For more information about our products and services,
email enquiry@mint-communications.asia.
Lastly, we would like to take the opportunity to thank
TalentCorp Malaysia for endorsing Education Destination
Malaysia: Guide to International Private Schools, our
fantastic in-house team for all of their hard work, the
educators and education specialists who wrote articles
for their contributions, and the international and private
schools that are advertising in the publication for their
generous support.
PUBLISHERS’ NOTE
William Citrin
Michele Lam
Nickie Yew
7. www.EducationDestinationMalaysia.com10 Education Destination Malaysia: Guide to International Private Schools 11
INTRODUCTION
Talent Corporation Malaysia (TalentCorp) is
pleased to support the second edition of
Education Destination Malaysia: Guide to International
Private Schools.
This annual publication serves as a valuable resource
for both Malaysian and expatriate parents looking
to send their children for an international or private
education in Malaysia and as a powerful vehicle to
promote Malaysia’s international and private education
sector here and abroad.
TalentCorp endorsed the inaugural edition of Education
Destination Malaysia: Guide to International Private
Schools, which came out last year, and distributed the
publication to our network of talented Malaysians and
expatriates throughout Malaysia and abroad.
Established in 2011 under the Prime Minister’s
Department, TalentCorp works with leading employers
in Malaysia’s key industries to help them meet their
talent requirements so that they can continue to drive
the country’s economic transformation.
In today’s global economy, the competition among
countries to attract and retain talent is fierce as talented
individuals have employment options and opportunities
all over the globe. When deciding whether to remain in
or relocate to a given country, one of the main factors
that many professionals consider is the availability of
high-quality education for their children.
For TalentCorp, the strength of the private education
sector in Malaysia is one of the value propositions for
top talent in Malaysia.
For parents with school-going children, there is an
impressive and ever-expanding range of educational
options here.
In particular, the international and private education
scene in Malaysia is booming, spurred by proactive
policies on the part of the government, an influx of
students, and strong and sustained investment from
the private sector.
The continued development of the international and
private education scene in Malaysia will no doubt have a
positive impact on the growth of the country’s economy,
and will also help entice talented professionals to
relocate and remain here.
We at TalentCorp believe that Education Destination
Malaysia: Guide to International Private Schools
is a valuable tool to explore the country’s numerous
educational opportunities that help support
the attractiveness of Malaysia as a destination
for global talent for talented Malaysians and
expatriates alike.
We are delighted to officially support the publication
once again and to distribute and share it with our global
network of talented Malaysians and expatriates.
WELCOME MESSAGE
Johan Mahmood Merican
Chief Executive Officer
TalentCorp Malaysia
Learning Beyond Boundaries
At ISP we pride ourselves on being a small school with a big reputation. We are an innovative
school that gives students, parents and teachers a refreshing alternative to other schools. Our
emphasis is on learning through engagement, enquiry and enjoyment. We have created a strong
balance between academic rigour, desire to succeed, and a nurturing learning environment.
The photographs above were taken during the recent ‘International Day @ ISP’, which is
celebrated in spectacular style. International Day @ ISP is a day that helps us to reflect, recognise
and celebrate the cultural diversity within our special school. It is a day when over 40
nationalities represented in the school unite to showcase their variety through dress,
decorations, dance, food, language and other activities. International Day is an annual event on
the ISP school calendar and it truly embodies our motto of learning beyond boundaries. We
think that we’re fantastic, but don’t take our word for it, come and see for yourself.
www.ISP.edu.my
Tel: +603 6280 8880
1 Jalan Intisari, Desa ParkCity,
52200 Kuala Lumpur.
Email: admissions@isp.edu.my
8.
9.
10. www.EducationDestinationMalaysia.com16 Education Destination Malaysia: Guide to International Private Schools 17
ESSENTIAL INFORMATION
1 Al-Noor International School
2 3 Alice Smith School
4 Asia Metropolitan International School
5 Asia Pacific Schools
6 Austin Heights Private International Schools
7 Australian International School Malaysia
8 Baseerah International School
9 - 11 Beaconhouse Schools
12 British International School of Kuala Lumpur
13 - 15 Cempaka Schools
16 Dalat International School
17 Eaton International School
18 Ekhlass International School
19 20 elc International School
21 Epsom College in Malaysia
22 Excelsior International School
23 - 26 Fairview International Schools
27 28 Garden International School
29 30 Global Indian International School
31 Havil International School
32 HELP International School
33 Highlands International Boarding School
34 IGB International School
35 International Islamic School
36 International Modern Arabic School
37 International School of Kelantan
38 39 International School of Kuala Lumpur (ISKL)
40 International School of Kuantan
41 International School @ ParkCity
42 International School of Penang (Uplands)
43 Kidurong International School
44 Kinabalu International School
45 Kingsley International School
46 Kolej Tuanku Ja’afar (KTJ)
47 Kolej Yayasan Saad Melaka (KYSM)
48 Kolej Yayasan UEM (KYUEM)
49 Labuan International School
50 Lodge International School
51 Malacca Expatriate School
52 Marlborough College Malaysia
53 MAZ International School
54 Melaka International School
55 Mont’Kiara International School
56 Mutiara International Grammar School
57 Nexus International School
58 Nilai International School
59 Nobel International School
60 Pegasus International School
61 Pelita International School
62 Prince of Wales Island International School
63 Rafflesia International Private Schools
64 Raffles American School
65 - 67 R.E.A.L Schools
68 Regent International School
69 Sayfol International School
70 Seri Omega Private International School
71 Sri Ara International Private School
72 Sri Bestari School
73 Sri Dasmesh International School
74 Sri Emas International School
75 Sri KDU Schools
76 Sri Kuala Lumpur School
77 Sri Sempurna International School
78 - 80 Sri Utama Schools
81 St Christopher’s International Primary School
82 St John’s International School
83 Straits International School
84 Sunway International School
85 Tanarata International School
86 Taylor’s International School
87 - 91 Tenby Schools
92 Time International School
93 Tunku Putra School
94 95 UCSI International Schools
96 Vikas International School
97 Wadi Sofia International School
98 Westlake International School
99 Woodlands International School
100 Zenith International School
INTERNATIONAL SCHOOLS IN MALAYSIA
ESSENTIAL
INFORMATION
In this section, we give you an in-depth
overview of the international and private
school scene in Malaysia, and take you
step by step through the school selection,
application and enrollment process.
11.
12. www.EducationDestinationMalaysia.com20 Education Destination Malaysia: Guide to International Private Schools 21
ESSENTIAL INFORMATION
International Education in
Malaysia: An Established and
Expanding Industry
The Malaysian international school
industry – like the young minds
it is educating – is expanding rapidly
and robustly. In recent years, due to
proactive policies and the relaxation
of restrictions by the Malaysian
government, there has been a steady
and significant increase in terms
of the number of international
schools and students as well as
investment from the private sector
in international education.
This international school market
in Malaysia has been growing at a
rate of 19% per annum for the past
five years, and is showing no signs
of stagnation. As of April 2014,
there were 99 international schools
in operation in Malaysia, with
numerous new schools set to open in
the near future, and 23 licenses for
new schools already approved.
For parents looking to send their
kids to international schools, this
is very good news indeed. There
is a wider selection of schools
and this means more choices for
their children.
International schools were once the
exclusive domain of expatriates and
schools (which offer instruction
mainly in Bahasa Malaysia),
vernacular Chinese or Indian
schools, or private and international
English-medium schools.
With changing government policies
over the years, the medium of
instruction in public institutions
has shifted back and forth between
Bahasa Malaysia and English.
The decision by the government to
use Bahasa Malaysia as the main
medium of instruction has given rise
to a strong private education sector
to meet the demands of parents in
the local and expatriate communities
here who are looking for an English-
based education for their children.
A BOOMING MARKET
The international school industry
in Malaysia has thrived steadily
over the years, due to a variety of
factors. The first is the strong and
sustained investment on the part
of the private sector, spurring the
continuous establishment of new
schools. The growth of the private
education sector dates back to the
late 1960s, with the emergence of
private education companies that
started out as small enterprises
and grew into massive educational
conglomerates encompassing
full-scale colleges, universities and
international schools.
Now Malaysia boasts an incredible
array of world-class international
schools as well as reputable private
colleges and universities, which
have forged alliances with prominent
overseas universities.
Another factor behind the robust
development of the international and
private school scene is the growth of
the expatriate population here. The
number of expatriates in Malaysia
has increased exponentially over
the years, and there has been a
corresponding need for increased
capacity in international schools.
This influx of expatriates has been
spurred by Malaysia’s economic
growth, government policy and the
establishment of government-linked
entities such as TalentCorp, whose
aim is to attract talented expatriates
(as well as talented Malaysians) to
relocate and remain in Malaysia.
The Malaysian government,
particularly in recent years, has
been a significant catalyst in terms
of the growth of the international
and private school market here.
The government’s implementation
of proactive policies and relaxation
of regulations and restrictions have
fuelled the development of the
private education industry.
In 2012, for example, the
government made a landmark
decision to remove the quota for
local students at international
schools (Malaysians were previously
only allowed to comprise 40%
of the student population at any
given school). With the easing of
this regulation, there is no cap on
The international education industry in Malaysia has grown
phenomenally in recent years, both in terms of the number of
schools and students. The number of Malaysian students attending
international schools has skyrocketed, and in 2013 – for the first time
ever – Malaysian enrollment in international schools actually exceeded
expatriate enrollment. Executive Chairman of Brighton Education
Christopher Bell and William Citrin take a look at the latest trends
in the thriving international education industry here.
affluent Malaysians, but now,
with many more affordable
options in the market, they are
available to everyone.
Indeed, the demographics of
the international school student
population have changed
significantly. The 2012 decision
by the Malaysian government to
eliminate the quota for Malaysian
enrollment at international schools
has opened the floodgates and
Malaysian students are now
pouring into these schools. In
2013 – for the first time ever – the
number of Malaysian students
attending international schools
actually exceeded the number of
expatriate students.
THE EDUCATIONAL
LANDSCAPE IN MALAYSIA
Since colonial times in Malaysia,
there have been English-medium
schools in the country that catered
for the needs of the expatriate
community here as well as locals
looking for an English-based
education. These schools existed
alongside Chinese-, Tamil-, and
Malay-medium schools, which
emphasized the language, culture
and values of those communities,
respectively. This rich and diverse
educational system stayed in
place even after Malaysia gained
independence in 1957; Malaysian
parents still have the choice – in the
public sector – between government
Source: PEMANDU
13. www.EducationDestinationMalaysia.com22 Education Destination Malaysia: Guide to International Private Schools 23
ESSENTIAL INFORMATION
the number of Malaysians that
international schools can admit. This
has resulted in a dramatic increase
in the number of local students
enrolling in international schools.
As a part of its Economic
Transformation Plan, the
government through PEMANDU,
(the Performance Management and
Delivery Unit) is introducing and
undertaking numerous initiatives
called “Entry Points Projects” (EPP).
One of these is dedicated to “Scaling
Up International Schools”. This
EPP calls for the establishment of
87 international schools (a number
that has actually, already been
surpassed) with 75,000 students by
the year 2020.
To stimulate private investment in
the international education sector,
the government has removed
barriers for local and foreign
investors, created initiatives such
as Public Private Partnerships and
Foreign Branch Campuses, offered
generous tax incentives to new and
existing schools and supported land
acquisition and soft loans for these
institutions.
All of these government policies
have facilitated the growth of the
international education sector,
resulting in an influx of private
investment and a substantial
increase in the number of
international schools and students.
A SURGE OF STUDENTS
In recent years, there has been a
significant increase in the number
of students enrolled in international
schools. As of April 2014, the total
number of students in international
schools stood at 39,460, a sharp
upsurge from the figure of 19,929
in 2010.
In terms of the overall composition
of the international school
student population, the number of
Malaysian students attending these
schools now exceeds the number
of expatriates. With the surge in
interest in international education
among the local community,
the Malaysian segment of the
student population is due to swell
considerably in the coming years.
If we take a closer look at the
nationalities of the foreign students,
the largest group comes from South
Korea, followed by (in descending
order) India, the UK, the USA,
Australia, Indonesia, Iran, Singapore,
Japan and Pakistan.
What can be said with certainty is
that the total number of students
attending international schools will
rise in the next five to ten years, and
the overall number and capacity of
these schools will expand to meet
this demand.
A VARIETY OF CHOICES
For parents looking to send their
children to international schools,
Malaysia offers a wide range
of choices in terms of cost and
curriculum.
All of the globally predominant
curricula and programs – the
UK National Curriculum, IGCSE,
A Levels, the American Curriculum,
“In 2013 – for the first time ever – the
number of Malaysian students attending
international schools actually exceeded
the number of expatriate students.”
the International Baccalaureate
(IB) – are offered widely here,
while other curricula – such as
the New South Wales Board of
Studies Syllabus, the Ontario
Curriculum and the Central
Board of Secondary Education,
New Delhi – are present as well.
In terms of curricular trends, the
UK national curriculum, IGCSE and
A Levels will likely continue to be the
most commonly offered curricula by
international schools here, while the
IB will become increasingly popular
over time.
With 23 new licenses for new
schools already approved by
the Malaysian government,
the total number of international
schools is set to rise. This means
that there will be even greater
variety of alternatives for parents
to choose from, with many more
affordable options for middle-class
families. Indeed, a high-quality,
English-medium international
education in Malaysia is now within
reach for all.
THE BENEFITS OF
AN INTERNATIONAL
EDUCATION
For parents considering sending
their child to an international school,
Malaysia is the perfect place to
be! With the growing number of
options and choices of schools,
more and more students will
have the opportunity to pursue an
international school education.
An international school education
is beneficial in so many ways, both
academically and developmentally,
and it can open many doors in terms
of higher education and employment.
An international school education will
have a profound and lasting impact
on your child. It will make him or
her an adaptable and independent
learner of the 21st century, able
to think critically and creatively
throughout his or her life.
An international school education
will offer your child a world-class
teaching and learning experience,
which incorporates the latest
technology to enable inquiry-based
activities that foster problem-solving
skills and creativity.
An international school education
will prepare your child to be more
global by enabling him or her to
gain a mastery of English while at
the same time learning to grasp
other languages and appreciate
other cultures.
An international school education will
help mold your child into a holistic
human being, a citizen of the world
who possesses a truly global outlook.
An international school education is a
wise investment indeed, and Malaysia
is the right market in which to make
that investment.
14.
15.
16. www.EducationDestinationMalaysia.com28 Education Destination Malaysia: Guide to International Private Schools 29
ESSENTIAL INFORMATION
Expert Analysis: Malaysia’s
International Schools Set
for More Growth
Malaysia’s international
schools are expected to see
significant growth in the next few
years, providing a greater range of
educational options for the parents
of both local and expatriate children
in the country.
The English-medium international
school sector is already a healthy
one in Malaysia, thanks to the
Malaysian government, which
is supporting its development
and expansion. Malaysia views
international schools as an
important option for both
expatriates and local families.
International schools play an
essential part in attracting highly
skilled, young professional
expatriates to relocate to the
country. They also provide an
important option for wealthier local
Kuala Lumpur has the largest
number of international schools;
27 are located in the city educating
over 15,000 students. Other major
centers for international schools are
Penang and Iskandar. 66% of the
international schools in Malaysia
follow a UK-oriented curriculum and
8% follow an American curriculum.
65% say they are also internationally
oriented in their learning
approach and 25% of Malaysia’s
international schools are bilingual.
13 international schools deliver the
International Baccalaureate Diploma
Program, 59 take IGCSEs, and
25 take GCE A Levels. 73% of the
international schools have less than
500 students, 8% have over 1,000.
ISC says there is a strong presence
of, what it considers to be, premium
schools in Malaysia. These are
reputable, accredited, international
schools that are highly sought-after
and tend to be larger in terms of
their student population. These
premium schools tend to reflect
the evolving international school
demographics within a region. 39
of the 99 international schools
in Malaysia are considered to be
premium schools and between
them they provide education for over
22,000 students (more than 50%
of the country’s total international
student population). These premium
schools are currently employing
mostly British, American and local
Malaysian staff. 40% of the students
at the premium international
schools are local Malaysian children,
9% are British, 6% South Korean,
and 4% American. Over 70% of
these schools are currently at total
capacity and, in Kuala Lumpur,
school capacity is even higher.
FUTURE DEVELOPMENTS
ISC predicts that all of Malaysia’s
international schools will see higher
enrollment of both expatriate and
local students within the next few
years. This is as a result of the
Malaysian government’s aim to
transform the country into one of
Asia’s top performing economies by
the year 2020.
One step towards achieving this aim
took place in 2012 with the lifting
of restrictions on the number of
Malaysian citizens who were able
to attend international schools. A
40% cap was removed and no new
limitations put in its place. This now
means that international schools are
legally entitled to enroll up to 100%
Malaysian nationals if they choose.
A number of premium schools are
aiming for a 50:50 ratio of local and
expatriate children, representing
within their intake an increasingly
popular overarching school ethos
that combines both local culture and
global mindedness.
families who may be looking to an
English-speaking, internationally-
oriented education to provide
expanded opportunities for
university and the workplace for
their children.
INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL
OPTIONS IN MALAYSIA
Market intelligence and data on
Malaysia’s international schools
is collected and evaluated
by the International School
Consultancy Group (ISC), a UK-
based organization which has
been researching the worldwide
international school market for over
25 years. According to the latest
data, there are currently 99 English-
medium international schools in
Malaysia teaching a total of 39,460
students and employing over 4,500
full-time staff.
Another recent development, led
by the Malaysian government, has
been the establishment of two new
education hubs for the country:
Education City in Kuala Lumpur
and EduCity in Iskandar, Johor.
Both hubs will provide high-quality
internationally-oriented education
for all ages, including tertiary
education. These education hubs
are designed to further attract
skilled expatriates and also to
increase the options for local
citizens, reducing emigration of
Malaysians who move overseas for
an improved standard of education
including university.
British boarding school Epsom
College is one of the new additions
for KLEC (Kuala Lumpur Education
City). This will be the first overseas
campus for the school, and will
open in September 2014 with
boarding and day school facilities
for pupils aged between 3 and 18.
Once established, Epsom College
in Malaysia will have places for
900 senior students and 650 prep
school pupils. Several other British
as well as American schools and
universities will have a presence in
these education hubs.
In addition to developments in Kuala
Lumpur and Iskandar, the Malaysian
government has also issued a
significant number of licenses for
new international schools in other
areas of Malaysia over the next three
to five years. ISC says that these
will contribute a 39% increase in
international school student places.
Many existing international schools
are also predicted to expand.
“Plans to develop international
education in the country are likely
to produce an upward trend in the
country’s skilled labor force,” states
ISC’s latest Country Report on
Malaysia.
There has been phenomenal
growth in the number of
international schools around
the world over the past ten
years. That growth looks certain
to continue for a further ten
years, if not more. Malaysia, in
particular, looks set for significant
developments. Anne Keeling from
ISC Research takes a closer look
at the trends in this market.
The International School Consultancy Group (ISC) is the leading
organization in the world for market intelligence on the international
schools market. It provides a range of services to meet the market
intelligence needs of schools, higher education, school suppliers,
investors, developers and professionals involved with international
education. For more information, visit www.iscresearch.com
17.
18. www.EducationDestinationMalaysia.com32 Education Destination Malaysia: Guide to International Private Schools 33
ESSENTIAL INFORMATION
Types of Schools in Malaysia
Making a decision about which
school to send your child to
– whether in the early years, or at
the primary or secondary school
level – can be challenging. Many
factors influence this decision and
it is important to determine what
kind of educational environment
and experience you want for your
child and what your long-term
educational goals for your child are.
The various Malaysian education
platforms – like the country’s
cultural and ethnic landscape – are
diverse and provide parents with
numerous options. The existing
systems include government (also
referred to as “public”) schools
and private schools offering
the Malaysian national school
curriculum; the vernacular schools
in essence it means that for the
children to whom this new structure
applies, ultimately there will be
no centralized assessments or
examinations until they reach Form
5. Whether this will have a positive
impact on the totality of the child’s
education or not remains to be seen.
Ministry of Education officials are
working toward the achievement
of all the outcomes specified in the
Blueprint, which should be rolled
out in totality by 2017.
THE PRIVATE
SCHOOL SYSTEM
The private school system, which
has been operational in Malaysia
for almost 40 years, began as
an effort by Malaysian education
providers to expand and enhance
the learning opportunities available
for Malaysian families who could
afford to send their children to
these institutions. To send their
children to private schools,
parents are required to pay full
fees including application and
registration fees, tuition fees and
fees for co-curricular activities.
Although private schools follow
the Malaysian national school
curriculum, what differentiates
these schools from government
schools are their more extensive
physical infrastructure and facilities,
which enable greater access
to technology, offer additional
language classes as well as a
whole range of other academic
and non-academic activities
that widen and enhance their
educational experience.
Other benefits of many private
schools include more individualized
attention for students, smaller
classes, as well as typically higher
levels of interaction between the
school and parents of the students.
For more and more Malaysian
parents who can afford it, the
private school system has become a
viable alternative to the government
school system, which is often
perceived to be over-crowded and
less personalized.
THE VERNACULAR
SCHOOL SYSTEM
Vernacular schools were created
to cater for specific ethnic and
cultural communities in Malaysia,
that cater primarily for the Indian
and Chinese communities wherein
Tamil and Mandarin, respectively,
are the mediums of instruction; and
the international school system.
THE GOVERNMENT
SCHOOL SYSTEM
There are more than 10,000
government schools strategically
dispersed throughout Malaysia.
These schools are government-
funded and parents are only
required to pay minimal fees,
ensuring that each and every
Malaysian child will have access
to education at the primary and
secondary school levels.
The core curriculum in these
educational environments
emphasizes the national language
of Bahasa Malaysia and the
teaching of all subjects, except
other languages, is done primarily
in Bahasa Malaysia.
The Malaysian Ministry of
Education introduced the
Malaysian Education Blueprint in
2012, specifically to reduce the
emphasis on examinations and
rote-learning and to focus more
on continuous assessments and
independent learning. This effort
by the Malaysian government is
aimed at promoting active learning
and nurturing well-rounded
individuals. While commendable,
namely the Chinese and Indians,
who wished to have their respective
languages and cultural values
promoted in their schools.
Over the last three decades,
however, the vernacular school
system (the Chinese schools in
particular) has been significantly
enhanced and developed through
community effort and it is common
now to see children from other
ethnic communities learning in
such environments.
These vernacular schools
emphasize Mandarin or Tamil
as the primary medium of
communication and instruction,
although Bahasa Malaysia and
English are compulsory subjects.
The Chinese vernacular schools
have earned the reputation of
providing good quality education,
although a common concern is
the sometimes excessive amount
of homework that is assigned to
students and the pressure that
the child is placed under due to
the school culture, which puts
a premium on performance and
academic excellence.
THE INTERNATIONAL
SCHOOL SYSTEM
Up until 2012, international schools
in Malaysia were populated
primarily by students from
expatriate communities and there
was a quota limiting the number
of local students who could attend
these institutions.
The Ministry of Education has since
lifted these restrictions, and access
to international schools is now open
to both Malaysian and international
students. As a consequence of the
heightened interest in international
education from Malaysians and
the influx of new students, there
has been a mushrooming of
international schools throughout
the country, and many more are
expected to be established in the
coming years.
International schools – which
all use English as the medium
of instruction – offer a range
of curriculum options from the
American Curriculum to UK
Curriculum, from New South
Wales to the Central Board of
Secondary Education, New
Delhi, the International
Baccalaureate, Islamic curriculum
and the Ontario Curriculum.
Parents planning to send their
children for an international school
education have many options –
in terms of curriculum, cost,
location and other factors – to
choose from in Malaysia and are
encouraged to explore the different
options extensively before making
a decision.
Selecting a school for your child is a critical decision that will affect
his or her future. For both local and expatriate parents in Malaysia,
there are various options to choose from. In this article, education
consultant Santhi Latha helps parents navigate the educational
landscape by providing a broad overview of the different types of
schools available in Malaysia.
22. www.EducationDestinationMalaysia.com36 Education Destination Malaysia: Guide to International Private Schools 37
ESSENTIAL INFORMATION
National or International School?
In the past, the simple and
expected route for the vast
majority of Malaysian parents
was to enroll their children at the
nearest government school and
let the natural progression of the
Malaysian education system take its
course. However, since the removal
of the quota for enrollments of
Malaysian students in international
schools in 2012 by the Malaysian
Ministry of Education, this
expectation has changed.
Malaysian parents who can afford
it have to now grapple with whether
to enroll their children at a local
or an international school and
there are many factors that
need to be considered in order
to make an educated decision.
The key considerations that may
influence the decision-making
process include:
age of six is another question.
Every child is different and there
is no hard and fast rule dictating
when your child will be ready to
start school. You must assess
your child individually to determine
when he or she is ready to start.
It would be useful if your child
has attended preschool for at
least three years and has a
good grasp of the alphabet,
reading and basic mathematics
at the time of enrollment in an
international school.
(2) MEDIUM OF
INSTRUCTION
The Malaysian national schools
curriculum utilizes Bahasa Malaysia
as the medium of instruction, and
English Language is a compulsory
second language subject. Your
long-term goals and aspirations for
your child (whether you anticipate
sending your child abroad for higher
education) will influence whether to
send your child to an international
school. The reality is that the
standards of the English language
in an international curriculum are
commonly higher and if your child
completes an international primary
and secondary education, there may
be no need to achieve additional
English language qualifications
such as the International English
Language Testing System (IELTS)
or Test of English as a Foreign
Language (TOEFL) for entry into
universities outside Malaysia.
(3) WHEN TO TRANSFER
TO INTERNATIONAL
SCHOOL
Many parents face the dilemma of
when to transfer their children to
an international school, if at all.
For parents who have access to
the necessary financial resources,
ideally your child could enter
international school at Primary One.
However, if there are limitations
on your financial resources, it may
be possible to allow your child to
complete his or her entire primary
school education following the
Malaysian Curriculum or the
vernacular school curriculum and to
transfer your child to international
school when he or she finishes
Primary Six. However, if this is not
possible, the last option is to move
your child into an international
school environment so that he or
she completes the final two years –
the equivalent of Form 4 and
Form 5 – at an international school.
Most international schools are
accustomed to recruiting students
at these levels. Please note that
your child may be required to pass
an entrance test to gain entry.
It is strongly encouraged that you
ensure your child has regular
and consistent English language
exposure prior to enrollment at an
international school, particularly
at the secondary level. This will
enable your child to cope better
academically at school.
(1) AGE OF
COMMENCEMENT AND
AGE OF COMPLETION
OF O LEVEL OR ITS
EQUIVALENT
Most international schools take
children into Primary One or its
equivalent when the child is six
years old. This means that your
child will gain a year compared
to the Malaysian national school
system (whether enrollment is at
a public or private school) where
your child can only commence
Primary One at age seven. Long
term, this will ultimately mean that
your child will finish the O Level
or its equivalent at the age of 16
and be able to move on to higher
education immediately after that.
Whether you think your child is
ready for formal education at the
(4) NUMBER OF
STUDENTS PER CLASS
AND THE IMPORTANCE
OF PERSONAL
ATTENTION IN THE
CLASSROOM
A common observation about
the public and vernacular school
systems is that the classes are
over-crowded and the teachers
don’t have enough time to give each
and every child individual attention.
How important is it for your child
to have personal attention in the
classroom? Bearing in mind that
different children excel in different
areas, and every child has different
needs, it becomes particularly
important that your child has
access to personal attention in the
classroom for subjects that he or
she may have difficulty in. This will
help to ensure that your child has
access to the necessary support for
learning, and will have a more likely
chance for success in those areas
of difficulty for him or her.
Is there an ideal maximum number
of students per class? Recent
international research in this area
suggests that while the maximum
numbers should not exceed 28-30
students in a classroom, there
is a minimum number that is
required in order to ensure effective
interaction and communication
among the students and the faculty.
This number would be between
16 and 20 students.
(5) BALANCING
ACADEMIC AND NON-
ACADEMIC COMPONENTS
OF LEARNING
Children who are not academically
inclined may thrive in an
environment that balances the
academic and non-academic
components of learning. Such
environments are best found
at private schools offering
the Malaysian Curriculum or
at international schools. It is
always useful to check which
non-academic, extra-curricular
activities are available to ensure
that your child has a balanced
educational platform and different
opportunities to excel, both
academically or non-academically.
A private or international school
environment provides exposure to
more co-curricular activities, and
certain students may find that they
can excel in these areas.
With the relaxing of restrictions on the enrollment of Malaysian students
in international schools and the increase in the number of international
school options available here, Malaysian parents now have the option
of sending their children for an international school education. It is
imperative that these parents make an informed decision about how to
do this – if at all. Education consultant Santhi Latha advises Malaysian
parents on the key factors to consider.
23. www.EducationDestinationMalaysia.com38 Education Destination Malaysia: Guide to International Private Schools 39
ESSENTIAL INFORMATION
environment and the primary
deterrent is usually the cost
of doing so. While the fees for
international school can be very
high, with the liberalization of
access to international schools
for Malaysian students and the
setting up of more international
schools in Malaysia, the
marketplace has become more
competitive and parents will
now be able to find international
schools that offer more affordable
fees than previously.
At the end of the day, we all want
the best for our children. Whether
you opt to send your child to
a public or vernacular school
or to a private or international
school should be based on your
resources and requirements, and
ultimately on what is best for you
and your child.
(7) THE NEED FOR
PRIVATE TUITION
OUTSIDE THE
CLASSROOM
It is common in Malaysia for
parents to send their children for
additional tuition classes and paid
extra-curricular activities outside
the formal school environment.
Whether these classes are to aid
in coping with the school subjects
Generally speaking, the better
qualified and trained the teachers
are in the delivery of the specific
areas of the curriculum, and the
more focused and advanced the
teaching-learning pedagogy used in
the school, the better your child will
learn. You will need to take the time
to speak to school administrators
and teachers in order to determine
whether the school environment
you are planning to put your
child into will fulfill your child’s
learning needs. Does the number
of expatriate teachers in a
school determine its success?
Fundamentally, this does not impact
the teaching and learning that takes
place in the school. What is critical
is that the teachers are properly
trained to deliver the curriculum
that is taught at the school.
or whether they are additional
co-curricular activities such as
music, sports, technology or others,
these monthly costs add up. It is
estimated that in urban Malaysia,
a family with school-going children
spend an average of RM500 per
month per child on such additional
support. Multiplied by ten school
months in a year, this comes to
a total of RM5,000 per annum. If
a private or international school
environment is able to provide this
support as part of its curriculum,
then it may be the case that placing
your child in such an environment
may at the end of the day, be a
viable option, and affordable too!
(8) THE DOLLARS
AND SENSE
Parents are often uncertain
about whether to enroll their
child into an international school
“...the marketplace has become
more competitive and parents will
now be able to find international
schools that offer more affordable
fees than previously.”
(6) QUALITY OF TEACHERS AND
THE IMPACT ON LEARNING
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NILAI INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL NO7 E244
No.3, Persiaran Universiti, Putra Nilai, 71800 Nilai, Negeri Sembilan Darul Khusus, Malaysia
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THE BEST OF BRITISH BOARDING
AND DAY EDUCATION IN 90 ACRES OF MALAYSIA
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† International Common Entrance Curriculum, IGCSE, IB Diploma Programme
† Weekly and full boarding available for Year 5 and above
For further information about Marlborough College Malaysia
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An Invitation to Explore
25. www.EducationDestinationMalaysia.com42 Education Destination Malaysia: Guide to International Private Schools 43
ESSENTIAL INFORMATION
The Benefits of Boarding
More and more parents in
Malaysia and around the world
are opting to send their children to
boarding schools, and a growing
number of schools have started to
offer boarding facilities for students.
Boarding schools typically offer
three different arrangements:
full boarding (seven days a week),
weekly boarding (students live on
campus from Monday to Friday and
return home on the weekends), and
flexi-boarding (students can opt to
live on campus for one or several
nights each week).
Modern boarding experiences have
developed a great deal since the
days of old-fashioned, draughty
dormitories and aloof masters.
Many of today’s boarders have at
their disposal world-class facilities
handpick their housemasters and
housemistresses with great care
and with very clear criteria in mind
as to the type of people they want
influencing the emotional, physical
and academic development of the
children in their care.
• Small classes and heightened
interaction between students
and their teachers. Boarding
provides a setting that promotes
common experience, camaraderie,
friendship, trust and honesty
between children and adults.
Boarding school offers a unique
experience of community living,
which builds an awareness
of others and a tolerance of
difference and diversity.
• 24-hour learning. Immersion in an
educational world where learning
is central and personalized.
At top boarding schools, an
appreciation for intelligence and
achievement are the norm within
peer groups, and students are
surrounded by those who share
their high aspirations. So whether
a sportsman, artist, academic or
thespian, students joining premier
boarding schools will enjoy an
unrivalled school experience
across academic subjects, music,
art, drama and sports.
• Excellent preparation for university
life. Pupils with the skills and
confidence developed as boarders
will be well placed to attend the
finest universities worldwide,
and are better prepared to
embrace the academic rigor and
independent study they will face
and love it!
• Access to unrivalled facilities
seven days a week. Modern
boarding houses have excellent
facilities and are designed to be
homely, comfortable and offer
up-to-date facilities such as WiFi,
games rooms, modern furniture,
study areas and fitted kitchens.
Excellent security with keypad
access ensures students feel
relaxed and able to concentrate
on their studies. Boarding schools
tend to have large campuses
with a vast array of facilities that
students can use on the weekends
and spare evenings.
• Independence and self-reliance.
Boarding schools bestow on
students an independence they
would not have living at home.
They are helped to become more
self-reliant and independent, but
at the same time to support their
peers and to contribute to the
running of their house through
committees and roles such as
house captain, school council,
etc. The boarding experience,
besides being great fun, is an ideal
preparation for the challenges and
responsibilities of adult life.
• Personal growth. A willingness to
explore new things is inherent in
the student body of most boarding
schools. Boarders are encouraged
and broad opportunities unheard of
in earlier years, all set in a school
culture based on respect and
achievement of the individual. With
the arrival of top quality boarding
opportunities in Malaysia, what can
boys and girls typically expect when
they become a boarder?
KEY ADVANTAGES
• Highly-qualified teachers who
see their work as a calling – not a
job. Each boarding house has a
housemaster or housemistress,
who has overall responsibility
for the pupils in their care. They
live in accommodation within
the house, and are assisted
by a team of experienced and
dedicated tutors, providing day
students and boarders with a
warm, homely and supportive
atmosphere. Good schools
to meet new types of people, find
their place in a new community,
learn new skills, and challenge
themselves to a higher academic
standard. The environment of
boarding houses enables pupils
to live their lives to the full in
as many spheres as possible,
allowing individuality and
independence to flourish.
• Pastoral care. In addition
to a pupil’s housemaster,
housemistress or tutor, all staff
are there to help and support
24/7. Boarding school staff
instinctively see themselves
as responsible for the child’s
all-round development and
offer many clubs, societies,
outings and activities. The school
doctor, school counselor and
house matron are also available
to listen, advise and counsel
students whenever needed.
• Deepening interests. Whether
the arts, sports, books or music,
by boarding, students have the
time and the support they need
to explore their interests and
excel. Today’s schools aim to
develop co-curricular programs
that are outstanding in terms of
breadth of choice and the quality
of coaching. Good schools provide
opportunities for children to
develop their existing talents,
but at the same time will ensure
they have opportunities to figure
out what their other passions
in life might be, and give them
the opportunity to develop them
through their teenage years and
into their adult lives.
• Being part of a proud community.
The shared experience of being
part of a boarding school’s
tradition and history creates a
strong network of people and a
feeling of community that can
last for a lifetime. Boarding
leads to the establishment of
close friendships, not just among
students, but also with faculty
members. The social network and
friendships forged in boarding
school can last a lifetime.
Top boarding schools in the
21st century provide vibrant
and highly supportive learning
communities where the focus is
truly on ensuring students have
all the encouragement and
guidance they need to really
excel across varied areas. Boarding
has changed dramatically over
the last 40 years to offer children
outstanding opportunities
within a comfortable family-like
atmosphere, creating a home away
from home.
Boarding schools provide facilities for children to live with
fellow students and teachers. These schools are becoming
increasingly popular as many parents are realizing that
boarding can be academically and developmentally
advantageous for their children. In this article, Jane Smith –
Deputy Head of Epsom College in Malaysia, a premier day and
boarding school just south of Kuala Lumpur – highlights the
key aspects and advantages of the boarding experience.
Jane Smith
Deputy Head of Epsom
College in Malaysia
Pahang
• Highlands International
Boarding School
Penang
• Dalat International School
• The International School of
Penang (Uplands)
• Prince Of Wales Island
International School
Perak
• Tenby Schools
• Westlake International School
Purtajaya
• Nexus International School
Selangor
• Kolej Yayasan UEM
• MAZ International School
Johor
• Marlborough College Malaysia
• Excelsior International School
• Raffles American School
Kuala Lumpur
• Fairview International School
Kelantan
• Wadia Sofia College
Melaka
• Kolej Yayasan Saad
Negeri Sembilan
• Cempaka International
Ladies’ College
• Epsom College in Malaysia
• Kolej Tuanku Ja’afar
• Nilai International School
• UCSI International School
INTERNATIONAL SCHOOLS OFFERING BOARDING
26.
27. www.EducationDestinationMalaysia.com46 Education Destination Malaysia: Guide to International Private Schools 47
ESSENTIAL INFORMATION
Choosing the Right School
for Your Child
With nearly 100 international
schools in Malaysia, parents
looking to enroll their child in at an
international educational institution
are spoilt for choice. Faced with
such a wide range of options,
parents considering sending their
child to one of these institutions
or to a private school here often
feel overwhelmed – unable to
distinguish between schools and
determine which is the most
suitable for their child.
STEP 1 – REFLECT
ON YOUR CHILD’S
EDUCATIONAL NEEDS
AND YOUR PRIORITIES
AS A PARENT
Ask yourself these three
fundamental questions:
1) Who is my child as a
learner?
• Would he or she thrive in a
traditional, teacher-centered
structure or a more enquiry-based
learning environment?
• Which curriculum would best suit
him or her?
• Does he or she have special
needs as a learner and require
individualized attention and
support?
• Does he or she have special talents
or interests inside or beyond the
classroom?
2) What are my long-term
educational plans and goals
for my child?
• What are the essential skills and
abilities – specific languages,
academic subjects, extra-
curricular pursuits such as a sport
or performing art, etc. – that you
want your child to acquire?
• Where will your child ultimately
attend college or university?
3) What are my requirements
and needs as a parent?
• Which factors – cost, location,
school size, curriculum, facilities,
etc. – are most important to you?
Carefully consider each of the
various factors below and then make
a list of the factors that matter most
to you and your child, in order of
their importance. Consider each
factor carefully, and jot down any
thoughts you have about it. Once you
do this, you will be able to define and
visualize which type of school would
be right for your child.
Location
Commuting in Malaysia can be a
time-consuming affair, especially
in congested urban areas such as
Kuala Lumpur and Penang. As a
parent, you would probably prefer
to send your child to a school that is
near or easily accessible from where
you are living or working – thereby
cutting down the travel time to and
from school each day.
Overall School Size and
Average Class Size
International schools in Malaysia
vary widely in terms of size from
fewer than 100 students to over
2,000 students. Some children
prefer smaller schools, which
typically offer greater intimacy and
familiarity among students and
more individualized instruction from
teachers. Other children favor larger
schools, which often provide more
diversity in terms of the composition
of the student population and variety
in the courses and activities they offer.
When it comes to size, it is also
important to look at the average class
size and the corresponding ratio of
teachers to students. If your child has
special needs in the classroom or
requires individualized attention, then
a school with a small class size is
probably a better fit for him or her.
Levels of Education Offered
Of course, you will want to make sure
that the school you ultimately select
offers classes for children of your
child’s age and level. Don’t take this
for granted, as some schools only
offer certain grade or year levels.
If you are a local or a long-term
expatriate, you may wish to choose a
school that is able to accommodate
your child throughout his or her
primary and secondary education.
Also be aware that some schools
may not allow students to enroll
during the last two years of their
secondary education, in the midst
of intensive, multi-year programs
such as A Levels or the International
Baccalaureate Diploma. If your child
is in this stage of his or her education,
check with your school of choice to
make sure it accepts students at this
level before applying.
Your child’s experiences in school will have a profound impact on his or
her intellectual, social and emotional development. Selecting a school
for your child is one of the most crucial decisions that you – as a parent
– must make. It is imperative to find a school that meets your needs and
expectations, as well as those of your child. In this article, William Citrin
guides you step by step through the school selection process in order to
help you choose the right school for your child.
Add to this confusion the fact that,
for parents, choosing a school for
their child is a high-stakes decision
– one that will have a profound
and long-lasting impact on their
child’s development. School is the
environment where children spend
the majority of each day, and plays
an important role in shaping who
they are and what they will become.
By following a simple yet effective
process, you as a parent can and
will find the right school for your
child. Choosing a school is a journey
that begins by reflecting on your
priorities and your child’s needs and
determining which international
and private schools fulfill your
requirements; continues with
researching and learning more about
these schools; and ultimately ends
with the selection of, application to,
and enrollment in your school of
choice. In this article, we take you
step by step through this journey.
STEP 2 – IDENTIFY THE FACTORS
THAT MATTER TO YOU MOST
28. “Speak in depth with your
child and get his or her input
about the various schools you
are considering.”
www.EducationDestinationMalaysia.com48 Education Destination Malaysia: Guide to International Private Schools 49
ESSENTIAL INFORMATION
Facilities and Security
By and large, international and
private schools in Malaysia possess
fantastic facilities that will enhance
your child’s educational experience.
But each school, of course, has a
different physical environment and
offers different facilities.
You should think about what kinds
of amenities (library, cafeteria,
swimming pool, basketball court,
performing arts studios, etc.) you
would like your child’s school to
have. You also probably want to
ensure that the school you choose
for your child provides suitable IT
infrastructure (such as a wireless
network and ICT resource center)
and access to modern technology
(such as laptops, tablets and
interactive whiteboards).
Another critical consideration is
security, and many parents may
require their child’s school to have
in place security measures such as
guards and security cameras.
Boarding
If you are looking to send your
child to boarding school, then you
should focus your search on those
institutions that offer boarding
facilities. It is important to consider
which type of arrangement – full,
weekly or flexi-boarding – is most
suitable for you and find out which
schools offer such an arrangement.
History and Accreditation
Some international and private
schools in Malaysia have been
established for over fifty years,
while many others have sprouted
up in the last several years.
You may wish to send your child
to one of the older international
or private schools, which often
practice time-honored educational
traditions, or to one of the
newer schools.
Whichever you choose, please
check to ensure that the school is
properly registered by the Malaysian
Ministry of Education (MOE) and
accredited by an internationally
recognized body such as the Council
of International Schools (CIS) or the
Western Association of Schools and
Colleges (WASC).
Teachers’ Credentials
You may also want to take the
time to find out about the
credentials of the teachers –
whether they have the proper
certification and training in
particular programs (such as
the International Baccalaureate
or Advanced Placement
programs) or areas (such as
ESL or special needs), or
possess any advanced degrees.
Another factor to consider is
whether the school has a high
teacher turnover rate or is able to
retain its staff for a significant length
of time – as this is typically a mark
of quality.
Lastly, depending on your
preferences, you may wish to send
your child to a school with a majority
of local teachers or expatriate
teachers or a mixture of both.
Curricula and Programs
Offered
In terms of curriculum, the private
and international schools in
Malaysia offer either national
curricula (such as the National
Curriculum of England or the
Malaysian Curriculum) or
international curricula (such as
the International Baccalaureate or
International Primary Curriculum).
Parents may wish to send their
children to a school that offers the
curriculum of their home country, or
the curriculum of the country they
ultimately envision their child going
to for tertiary education.
It is also necessary to consider which
qualification you would like your
child to possess upon graduating
from secondary school, and ensure
that this diploma is recognized
internationally or at least in the
country where she or she plans on
pursuing tertiary studies.
You undoubtedly want to research
each school you are considering to
ensure that the core curriculum,
other course offerings, teaching
methodology, foreign language
instruction, ESL programs,
standardized tests and student
support services it offers will meet
the needs of your child.
Extra-Curricular Activities
There’s much more to school life
than just classroom learning.
Each school offers a different set
of extra-curricular activities such
as sports, games, music, drama,
dance, journalism…. the list is
seemingly endless. These activities
give children the chance to explore
and experience new areas, and
develop as well-rounded individuals.
If your child has particular interests
or talents, you will probably want to
check to make sure the school you
select offers those activities.
Many schools also provide
opportunities for pupils to become
involved in charitable or community
activities, which can provide
meaningful learning experiences.
Cost
Annual tuition fees at international
and private schools in Malaysia
vary widely, ranging from less than
RM5,000 to well over RM100,000.
Depending on your budget and
situation (some expatriates have their
school fees paid for fully or in part by
their employers), cost may be a major
factor in your choice of school.
STEP 3 – RESEARCH AND
LEARN ABOUT SCHOOLS.
IDENTIFY THOSE THAT
MEET YOUR CRITERIA
Once you have determined which
of the above factors are the most
important to you and your child
and defined what type of school
you are looking for, you can start
researching the various international
and private schools.
This publication and our website,
www.EducationDestinationMalaysia.
com, contain a comprehensive
international school directory.
This is an excellent place to begin
learning about what various schools
have to offer.
As you start to narrow down your
options, you will also want to visit
the schools’ websites to learn more.
You can also try to seek out parents
of students in the schools you are
considering – possibly in online
forums or through community
connections – to hear their
experiences and get their opinions.
Ultimately, you should make a
shortlist of five to ten schools that
meet your requirements.
STEP 4 – VISIT EACH OF
THE SCHOOLS ON YOUR
SHORTLIST
It is imperative that you and your
child take the time to visit each
and every school on your shortlist,
to get an up close and personal
look at what those schools have
to offer. Contact the schools
you’re interested in and make an
appointment to visit during regular
school hours. Only by actually going
to a school – speaking with the
principal and teachers about the
school’s core values and learning
methodology, observing the students
in action in the classrooms, getting
a guided tour of the facilities – can
you get a real feel for the school’s
“personality”. Visiting a school is
the best way to learn about it and
to decide if it is the right fit for
your child.
STEP 5 – CHOOSE A
SCHOOL
Now that you and your child have
had the chance to visit all of the
schools on your shortlist, it’s time to
make a decision.
Speak in depth with your child and
get his or her input about the various
schools you are considering.
Ultimately the school must meet
most, if not all, of your needs and
requirements and “feel” right –
especially for your child.
Choosing a school for your child is
a critically important decision, one
that will impact the rest of his or
her life. Invest the time and energy
necessary to ensure that you make
the right choice for your child and
his or her future.
29.
30.
31. www.EducationDestinationMalaysia.com52 Education Destination Malaysia: Guide to International Private Schools 53
ESSENTIAL INFORMATION
Choosing the Right Preschool
for your Child
Many childhood development
experts subscribe to the
notion that children who participate
in high-quality early childhood
education programs are more
successful in school and ultimately
in their careers as adults.
But before you rush out to enroll
your child, it is important to be
aware that child readiness is an
important factor in the success of
a preschool education – and not
every child is ready for preschool
at the same stage in his or her
development. A child who is not
ready for preschool may find the
preschool experience stressful
and the anxiety and distress could
outweigh any benefits.
DECIDING IF YOUR
CHILD IS READY
How do you decide when your child
is ready to attend preschool?
This will differ for every child, as
each individual is unique. When
trying to decide when is the right
time to enroll your child, you
should take several key factors
– age, maturity, sociability, and
temperament – into consideration.
Some preschools may take on
the responsibility of helping your
child with the development of
these skills, but there are schools
that make these mandatory
requirements before they will
accept your child.
Find out what each of the
preschools you are considering
expect children to know and be
able to do, and assess if your
child is capable of meeting
these expectations.
Sociability
One of the reasons many
parents send their children to
preschool is so they can develop
their social skills. Even if this is
the case, you should consider
the following:
1. Does my child interact well
with other children?
2. Has my child spent a significant
amount of time away from me?
3. How well does my child cope
with meeting and interacting
with new people?
If you feel that – due to issues with
social interactions and shyness –
attending preschool will create
stress for your child, then perhaps
the decision to enroll him or her
should be delayed.
Children who are more timid,
introverted, and sensitive may find
the transition to preschool difficult.
Some of these children can be
managed by employing methods to
gradually ease them into preschool,
while others may benefit from a
later start to preschool.
Even siblings from the same family
may require different methods for
handling the introduction of school.
In addition to the aforementioned
factors, the preschool you have
selected for your child may also
have requirements that must
be met before your child will be
accepted. Research to find out if
your preschool of choice requires
certain entrance criteria or
assessments.
Age
Opinions vary on what is the
right for a child to start preschool.
Most experts typically agree
that it should be between three
and four years old, however you
will find that many preschools
accept children as young as two
years old.
Maturity
Even among siblings, the level
of maturity displayed by children
will vary.
A good way to gauge the level of
maturity of your child might be
to ask the following questions:
1. Can my child follow simple
instructions?
2. Can my child speak well
enough to be understood
by others?
3. Is my child able to follow
the school routine?
4. Is my child potty trained?
5. Is my child able to get
dressed without help?
6. Is my child able to put on
shoes without help?
7. Is my child able to feed
himself or herself?
Once you have decided that your
child is ready, you will need to select
a suitable preschool for your child.
The main factors that parents
consider when choosing a preschool
are similar to those factors that
they consider when choosing a
primary or secondary school for
an older child. There are, however,
some additional factors that
are specifically pertinent to the
preschool selection process.
Before choosing a preschool,
parents should consider the
following factors:
• Preschool or childcare? What is
your purpose for sending your
child to an institution? Is it for
educational purposes or social
interaction? If it’s primarily for
the latter reason, then a childcare
facility may be more appropriate
for your child.
• Which educational philosophy
do you prefer? Montessori,
Waldorf, International Preschool
Curriculum, religious, or other?
• Class size and teacher to child
ratio - smaller classes and higher
teacher-to-child ratios typically
provide greater benefits to
preschoolers.
• Staff qualifications – do the
teachers have training in early
childhood education? If there are
assistant teachers, what are their
qualifications?
• Quality of teachers – do the
teachers enjoy working with
young children? Young children
require a different sort of handling
compared to older children. How
capable and motivated are the
teachers at the preschools you are
considering?
• Staff turnover – a high turnover
of teachers is not a good sign
in any school, but this factor
is even more critical for
preschools because staff
changes can be particularly
upsetting for younger children.
• Facilities – what type of
environment and amenities does
the school offer? Does the school
have facilities for music, art,
sports and other extra-curricular
activities? What are the safety
features in place? Are there
outdoor playground facilities?
Some preschools are located
in shoplots without outdoor
playground facilities.
Determining when a child is ready for preschool and which preschool
to send him or her to can be extremely difficult decisions for parents
to make. Your child’s preschool will probably be his or her first
educational experience, and will have a significant impact on his
or her future. In this article, early childhood education specialist
Shen-Li Lee explains the key factors to consider when selecting a
preschool for your child and also provides tips on how to help your
child adjust to the preschool experience.
HOW TO CHOOSE
A PRESCHOOL
32. “Preschool will most likely be
your child’s first educational
experience, and will have a
significant impact on shaping who
he or she is as a learner.”
www.EducationDestinationMalaysia.com54 Education Destination Malaysia: Guide to International Private Schools 55
ESSENTIAL INFORMATION
• Support system – what are the programs available for children with
special needs?
• Travel distance – as it can be difficult to travel long distances on a daily
basis with a young child, it may not be worthwhile to choose a school that
is too far from home even if it is a good one.
• School food or home food? Does the school provide food for the children?
Is there an option for your child to pack food from home if your child is a
picky eater or has food allergies?
• How many hours a day are the children at school? Some preschools offer
full-day programs to accommodate working parents. Is there an option
for part time or full time - 3 days a week or 5 days? Younger children may
be more comfortable starting with 3 days a week as a transition period.
• Teaching of life skills – will the school help with your child’s potty training,
and skills such as self-dressing, self-feeding, learning to tie shoe-laces,
as well as the development of social skills?
• What are the expectations of parent involvement in school activities?
• What disciplinary methods does the school employ? For young children,
consistency is important and it may be worth checking if the school’s
disciplinary methods are in line with your own.
You may also want to bring your child along with you when you visit the
school to see how your child responds to the school environment.
Preschool will most likely be your child’s first educational experience, and
will have a significant impact on shaping who he or she is as a learner.
Make sure you take the time to thoroughly research preschools you are
considering and think about which one would be best for your child before
making a decision on which school to send your child to.
PREPARING YOUR CHILD
FOR PRESCHOOL
Once you have selected a
preschool, you will need to
begin to prepare your child
for the preschool experience.
Helping your child adjust to
the daily routine of attending
preschool may require some
additional guidance and support.
Before the first day of preschool,
introduce the idea of preschool so
your child knows what to expect.
There are many books available
that you can read to your child to
give him or her a sense of what
school is like. Talk to your child
about what happens in preschool
– what goes on, how fun it will be,
and how he or she will make lots of
friends. Try to generate a positive
attitude towards preschool.
In the year leading up to the start
of preschool, visit the school with
your child so that the environment
will be familiar to your child once
your child begins actually attending
the preschool.
You may even want to do a trial
run and have your child spend
some time there, to see how
your child copes with a particular
preschool environment. If you
can, try to introduce your child to
other children that will be in the
same class.
• Say “goodbye” instead of
sneaking off while your child is
distracted with an activity.
Remember that even if the first day
of preschool goes well, there may
still be anxiety later as the novelty
of preschool wears off. This is
normal and the best way to get
past it is to keep the routine of
preschool consistent.
Easing Separation
There are a number of things you can do to help ease your child’s
separation anxiety when he or she starts preschool:
• Go to the class and help your child get settled and involved in
with an activity.
• Introduce your child to a new friend.
• Control your own emotions because your child will sense your anxiety.
Remember that tears are normal and will usually stop after you leave.
The school will usually contact you if your child is inconsolable.
• Tell your child when you are coming back.
Packing for Preschool
Most schools provide the materials
your child will work with so there
isn’t much to bring. The things you
may need to pack include:
• Change of clothes in case of
accidents
• Towel
• Water bottle
• A snack (if the preschool doesn’t
provide food). Check if there
are any food restrictions at your
child’s preschool, such as no
nuts or pork
• Wet wipes, training pants
and diapers (if your child still
requires them)
Pick-up / Drop-off Arrangements
Some preschools have a drop-off system in place, so parents are not
required to park their cars when dropping children off at preschool.
While this provides an added convenience when traffic is bad and parking
is difficult, you may want to reconsider using it if your child is having
trouble adjusting to preschool as he or she may need you to physically
accompany him or her to the classroom.
As a security feature, many preschools now have the requirement that only
pre-arranged individuals may pick up your child. Special arrangements
must be made in advance if someone else will be picking up your child.
Starting preschool is a giant step for a child, requiring a major adjustment
in his or her daily routine. Ensure that your child is properly prepared to
embark on this first phase of his or her educational journey.
33. TENBY SCHOOLS
MALAYSIA
Tenby Schools offers an enriching international
educational experience for students from Early Years
through to Secondary Years. We provide vibrant learning
opportunities that go beyond classrooms via a balanced
academic and extra-curricular programme, ensuring that
our students are able to achieve their full potential.
There are currently five Tenby Schools campuses in
Malaysia. Find out more at www.tenby.edu.my
www.tenby.edu.myApproved by the Ministry of Education, Malaysia
TENBY SCHOOLS MALAYSIA • Ipoh | Penang | Setia Eco Park | Miri | Setia Eco Gardens
A United World At Peace - Through Education
For more information, please e-mail info@tenby.edu.my
Ipoh • Tel: +605 525 2628 l Penang • Tel: +604 892 7777 l Setia Eco Park (Shah Alam) • Tel: +603 3342 1535
Miri (Sarawak) • Tel: +6085 491 526 l Setia Eco Gardens (Johor) • Tel: +607 558 8812
34. 3
www.EducationDestinationMalaysia.com58 Education Destination Malaysia: Guide to International Private Schools 59
ESSENTIAL INFORMATION
Steps to Enrollment
So you have carefully surveyed
the field of international and
private schools, selected the school
that is the best fit for your child, and
now you want to initiate the process
of enrolling your child in your school
of choice. You probably want to do
this as soon as possible – space is
limited in many schools and many
are filled to capacity and have
waiting lists. Also, early application
will give your child a better chance
of being accepted and enrolled in
your school of choice before the
next intake.
Although each school has its
own enrollment process, there
are a few key steps that parents
generally follow to enroll their
child in a private or international
school in Malaysia.
These steps are outlined for you
in this article, but you should refer
to the website of your school of
choice for more specific information
about its application and admission
procedure and policies.
Please note that the enrollment
process for Malaysians and
expatriates typically has some
significant differences, as foreign
students may be required to obtain
a student visa, to complete some
additional forms and provide
additional documentation.
ENSURE YOUR CHILD MEETS
ALL OF THE SCHOOL’S
REQUIREMENTS
Carefully read and review the
admissions policy and requirements
of your school of choice. Ensure
that your child meets all of the
entry criteria. If you have any
questions or concerns, contact
a school representative for further
clarification.
After choosing a school for your child, you should
commence the enrollment process. In this article,
William Citrin provides an overview of the key
steps you need to follow to enroll your child in an
international or private school in Malaysia.
SUBMIT APPLICATION FORMS ALONG WITH THE APPLICATION
FEE AND REQUIRED SUPPORTING DOCUMENTS
1
2
You will need to complete the
school’s application forms and
then submit these to your school
of choice. These forms can usually
be downloaded from the school’s
website. If not, you can pick them
up from the school itself or ask the
school to send them to you.
Schools will typically request other
supporting documents including
photocopies of report cards
and transcripts from previous
schools, standardized test results,
vaccination and health records, birth
certificates as well as passport-
sized photographs. Expatriate
students will be asked to provide
original copies and photocopies of
their passports and visas.
Schools usually provide parents
with a checklist of items that need
to be completed.
Refer to this checklist to ensure
that you have completed all of
the necessary forms and compiled
all of the required documentation
before sending your application –
either via email, regular mail
or in person – to your school
of choice.
Many schools require you to pay a
non-refundable application fee.
It is important to note that this
payment is for the processing of the
application, and does not guarantee
a place for your child in the school.
After submitting your application,
you should receive a letter or email
from the school acknowledging that
they have received your application
as well as an official receipt for
payment of the application fee.
Please allow some time for the
school to process your application.
If your child meets the school’s
entry requirements and if the
school has places available, the
school will contact you to set up an
appointment for an interview and/
or test.
The interview and test are meant
to gauge whether your child’s
academic abilities and personal
qualities are a good fit for the
school, and whether he or she has
any learning difficulties or special
needs that may require attention.
The nature of the assessment
varies depending on the age and
level of the student.
BRING YOUR CHILD TO THE SCHOOL
FOR AN INTERVIEW AND TEST
4
Your child’s application and
performance on the assessment
will be reviewed by the school, and
you will be notified of the school’s
decision on your child’s admission.
Generally speaking, there are three
possible outcomes:
1) Your application is successful and
you child is offered a place in the
school.
2) Your application is successful,
but the school is full and does not
have a place for your child and so
your child will be placed on a
waiting list. You will be notified
later should a place become
available.
3) Your application was not
successful.
If your child is admitted into
your school of choice, you
will need to confirm your
acceptance of the offer and
pay a refundable deposit as
well as registration, tuition
and/or other fees to secure
his or her place.
RECEIVE OFFER OF ACCEPTANCE FROM
THE SCHOOL AND PAY FEES
35. Education Destination Malaysia: Guide to International Private Schools 61
ESSENTIAL INFORMATION
School Fees
Cost is, without a doubt, a major
consideration for most parents
looking to send their child to an
international or private school
in Malaysia.
Unless your company is covering the
cost of your children’s schooling,
an education at an international
or private school in Malaysia will be
a significant investment for you.
Fortunately, Malaysia offers a wide
range of choices of international
and private schools, enabling
parents to find a school that fits
their budget.
The box on the right shows the
types of fees that international and
private schools typically charge.
Each school, however, has a
different fee structure and may use
different terms to refer to its various
fees. Before applying to a school, it
is imperative that you take the time
to review and understand its fee
structure and schedule.
Additionally, some schools offer
discounts for early payment or
for families with multiple siblings
attending the same school. Please
check your school’s policies to find
out if you are eligible for these or
other fee reductions.
Tuition/ Term Fee
Tuition or term fees must be paid
to the school on a regular basis to
fund your child’s ongoing education.
The amount of these fees varies
widely from to school to school.
The payment schedule for each
school is different and you may
be required to pay tuition fees on
an annual, quarterly, semester or
monthly basis.
Tuition fees typically increase as
your child moves up through the
levels of the school system.
School Development Fee/
School Building Fund
This one-time or annual fee
is charged by some schools to
cover the costs of physical
improvements, renovation and
expansion of school facilities.
Other Fees
In many schools, the cost of
textbooks, uniforms, and field trips
are excluded from the tuition fees
and must be paid separately.
Also, parents typically have to pay
additional fees for items such
as transportation to and from
school, special trips and programs,
and certain extra-curricular
activities.
Application Fee
The application fee is a non-
refundable fee paid upon
submission of an application to
a given school. Not all schools
require the payment of an
application fee.
Registration Fee
Also commonly referred to as
the “entrance”, “admission” or
“enrollment” fee, the registration
fee is a non-refundable fee to
be paid upon confirmation of
enrollment into a school.
Deposit
Upon confirmation of enrollment,
many schools require the payment
of a refundable security deposit,
which often amounts to the
equivalent of one term’s tuition
fee. This deposit often needs to
be topped up as the tuition fees
increase according to year level.
This deposit will be refunded to
you when your child graduates or
withdraws from the school. In the
latter instance, you must provide
the school written notice of your
child’s withdrawal several months
before he or she withdraws from
the school in order to receive your
deposit back. Failure to provide this
written notice may result in you
having to forfeit your deposit.
Cost is a primary
consideration for most
parents when choosing
an international or
private school for their
children. William Citrin
outlines the types of
fees that these schools
typically charge.
TYPES OF FEES
36. Petrosains: The Discovery Center
Petrosains is a Science Discovery
Center that uses a fun and
interactive approach to tell the story
of the wonders of science and how
science relates to everything in our
world. Its concept and contents
revolve mainly around the general
sciences with a focus on the science
of energy. By providing visitors
with engaging activities and
imparting imaginative experiences,
Petrosains hopes to create
wonder and inspire the general
public with the excitement of
learning. Petrosains Sdn Bhd was
incorporated to extend PETRONAS’
commitment as a socially
responsible corporate citizen in
providing a rich and stimulating
environment aimed at enhancing
science literacy among visitors.
Petrosains is designed as a
modern and contemporary center
that allows visitors to touch, feel
and manipulate the exhibits on
display. The interactive features of
Petrosains’ exhibits, combined with
a touch of theatrical and futuristic
elements, offer visitors a more
constructive learning experience.
Located on Level 4 of Suria KLCC,
the center’s state-of-the-art design
is complemented by thematic
props, three-dimensional images,
simulation effects and spectacular
recreations with realistic visual and
sound effects.
This year-long program offers a
rich learning experience in science
and mathematics via a multitude of
activities which are broadly linked
to the primary school syllabus and
using the Petrosains’ approach to
learning – “Hands-on, Hearts-on
and Minds-on”. Through another
program, the Creative Science for
Schools program, school groups
visiting Petrosains can add value
to their visit by participating in
activities such as the “Magnificent
Magnet”, “Bottle Biology” and
“Chemistry of Slimes” through
which they are able to better
understand the key scientific
principles learnt in schools with the
help of Petrosains’ qualified and
trained science communicators.
To further nurture the spirit of
learning, Teacher’s Professional
Development Programs have been
created to inspire teachers through
Petrosains’ teaching philosophy of
encouraging creativity, promoting
inquiry-based learning and injecting
elements of play into learning.
Workshops and knowledge-sharing
sessions such as “Elements of
Inquiry, Comparing Approaches
to Hands-on Science, Process
Skills and Raising Questions” are
conducted on a regular basis.
For more information, visit
www.petrosains.com.my
The sequence of the exhibits
in Petrosains is an engaging
and educational journey into
the wonders of science that are
relevant to everyday life. Using
innovative methods of presenting
ideas, Petrosains showcases its
exhibits and displays in entertaining
and exciting ways while nurturing
meaningful science learning.
To complement the exhibits,
science shows, mini-science
demonstrations and science
busking based on thematic science
campaigns are presented to visitors
everyday to further pique their
interest in science and enhance
their understanding of scientific
principles presented. These
thematic campaigns are organized
on a regular basis at the Discovery
Center and each of the campaigns
focuses on a science principle
or subject such as the “Magical
Math”, “Of Magic and Chemistry”,
“Nature’s Kingdom”, “Eeewww
Factor” campaigns and many more.
Visitors, especially children, are
presented with science shows and
are encouraged to participate in the
show or demonstration, enabling
them to learn first-hand about the
concepts of science.
Another interesting program for
students is the Petrosains Science
Scouts – an afterschool program
targeted at primary school-goers.
www.EducationDestinationMalaysia.com62 Education Destination Malaysia: Guide to International Private Schools 63
37.
38.
39.
40. Beamind International Enrichment Programme aims to impact the minds of future
creative mind.
Make a leap to be a
4
5
2
3
1 Virtual Teacher
Coach Mentor
Integrated Learning
System
Confident Mastery
International Standard
Personal attention
Beamentor
eamind HubBeamind Hub
™
eamoduleBeamodule
™
eamasteryBeamastery
™
eamindBeamind
Global LevelGlobal Level
™
Beamentor
™
41.
42. Education Destination Malaysia: Guide to International Private Schools 65
CURRICULUM CHOICES
CURRICULUM
CHOICES
International schools in Malaysia offer a wide
variety of English-medium curricula – both the
national curricula of various countries as well as
international curricula such as the International
Baccalaureate (IB). In this section, we provide
you with an overview of the major curricula that
are available here so that you can decide which
would be best for your child.
43. Beaconhouse preschool students
engaged in play-based learning
Students at The children’s house, the
first preschool in Malaysia to offer the
complete Montessori program
www.EducationDestinationMalaysia.com66 Education Destination Malaysia: Guide to International Private Schools 67
CURRICULUM CHOICES
Preschool Curriculum Options
activities that is broken up with
periods of free play in the form of
recess. The objective of this type of
program is to prepare children for
the rigors of later school life, and
could be a wise choice for your child
if you are planning on sending him
or her to an academically-intense
primary school environment, such as
a Chinese primary school.
Once you decide which type of
curricular approach is best for your
child, you can begin examining the
various preschool options available
in Malaysia. This article provides
a broad overview of the major
preschool curricula widely seen here.
MONTESSORI
The Montessori program is a child-
centered curriculum that offers
children the freedom to explore
activities of their own choosing at
their own pace. The teachers are
present to facilitate rather than to
direct children’s learning.
Here are the key strengths and
benefits of a Montessori education:
• It fosters independence and
encourages individualism.
• The teacher plays a very
unassuming role in the
classroom. The children are not
motivated by the teacher, but by
the need for self-development.
• The requisite mixed-age
classrooms (typically 2/3 to 6
best by doing what comes most
naturally to them – playing. They
are encouraged to direct their
own learning and are given the
autonomy to follow their interests.
By allowing children to pursue a
course of learning that is self-
motivated, this play-based/child-
centered method for learning
fosters independence, creativity
and confidence.
The academic/teacher-directed
programs are generally more
traditional as they focus on
imparting specific skills and
knowledge to children. Teachers
usually follow a set schedule of
years old) allow younger
children to learn specific skill
sets from older children who
have mastered them.
• It emphasizes concrete learning
rather than abstract learning with
the belief that children need to
experience concepts in concrete
“hands-on” ways.
• It offers a prescribed range of
activities from which children can
select activities for themselves.
• It offers periods of uninterrupted
working time so children have the
opportunity to work through their
tasks at their own pace.
• It is a child-centered environment.
All of the materials are easily
accessible. Children are taught
to respect and be responsible for
the materials they use.
The preschool years are a vital period in your child’s
intellectual and personal development, and it’s imperative
you choose a preschool for your child that meets his or
her needs. To help you make an educated decision, early
childhood education and development expert Shen-Li Lee
provides an overview of the preschool curriculum options.
If you are a parent choosing a
preschool curriculum for your
child, there are two basic questions
you should begin by asking yourself:
• Play-based or academic?
• Child-centered or
teacher-directed?
Actually, there is considerable
overlap between the two questions
since most play-based programs
are generally child-centered,
while academic programs typically
necessitate teacher direction.
Play-based programs are based
on a philosophy that children learn
BEACONHOUSE
Beaconhouse, a renowned global education network,
pioneered the “Play to Learn Learn to Play”
teaching philosophy, which ensures that
preschool students truly enjoy the learning process.
This internationally-proven and result-oriented
methodology infuses the fun element into both
teaching and learning, allowing students to grow
mentally, socially, physically and emotionally into
well-rounded individuals.
Here are the key strengths and benefits of a
Beaconhouse education:
• Beaconhouse utilizes the “Play to Learn Learn
to Play” methodology, a wholesome and effective
teaching philosophy that promotes experiential and
play-based learning.
• It encourages students to develop a keen interest
towards learning independently, teaching them to
be confident and enthusiastic learners.
• It places an emphasis on building strong character
traits and positive attitudes.
• With a history stretching back 38 years, the
Beaconhouse methodology has a proven track
record, and is used by more than 226,000 students
in nine countries.
• Beaconhouse offers both individual and group
learning experiences and every child has a personal
portfolio file charting his or her development.
• Beaconhouse provides In-service Teacher Training
(INSET) programs by accredited tutors from the
United Kingdom to develop teachers’ skills as
professionals.
• All Beaconhouse centers are owner operated,
ensuring consistency of standards and delivery.
