Holistic Education at its Best

Kolej Tuanku Ja’afar lays the foundation with a holistic, well-rounded education that prepares children for life long after they graduate

As a pathway for their children to have better opportunities in their future, many Malaysian parents are making the switch to international schools because of the holistic-style education, the broad and internationallyrecognised curriculum, the lower student to teacher ratio, and the exposure to different cultures.

Parents can find all these and more at Kolej Tuanku Ja’afar (KTJ), which believes that a wellrounded, holistic education is one that develops students to become responsible leaders of a global, sustainable community. “We prepare students for life, not just a career. That’s why the holistic approach is so important to us,” shares Dr Glenn Moodie, the principal of KTJ.

With a majority of their students in secondary school being boarders, KTJ also has the added advantage of having structures and resources in place to enable them to deliver a holistic education to all their students whether they are boarding or day.

Besides an internationally recognised curriculum, at the heart of its academic programme are the KTJ Learner Characteristics or essential skills and behaviours which will benefit them later on in life. These include fostering innovative thinking, resourcefulness, and a dedication to being a lifelong learner. The school also teaches students how to cultivate balance in life to prepare them for the challenges they may face in adulthood. For example, ensuring students are trained in maintaining important daily routines for their wellbeing like getting enough sleep, exercising regularly, eating healthily, and looking after their mental health.

At KTJ, students are instilled with an understanding and respect for different cultures, and this prepares them for higher education and future careers in the UK, US, Malaysia and around the world. “This is perhaps easier to achieve in a boarding school. When the

majority of our students are living side by side and sharing rooms with others from different backgrounds, an understanding develops naturally. I’m always amazed at the support our students show for others’ cultures, perspectives and practices. However, we still educate our students on the importance of equality, diversity and inclusion and embrace the students’ promotion of this as well,” shares Moodie.

The school’s dedicated Personal Social Health and Economic Education (PSHEE) curriculum also equips students with the knowledge, skills and attributes to keep young people safe, to prepare them for life and work after school and to promote core values such as empathy, integrity and mutual respect. The curriculum covers topics such as bullying, cyberbullying and internet safety; how to lead a healthy lifestyle; gender stereotypes; and positive relationships.

Of course, it is not complete without KTJ’S unparalleled support system. There is a dedicated school counsellor on hand to care for the mental and emotional welfare of all students. Additionally, a mentor is assigned to each student to help them develop life-long skills and career aspirations, to monitor their academic progress while developing an individual learning plan. For new students, they are paired with a student buddy to help them navigate their first few weeks on campus.

Meanwhile Sixth Form students are guided by a team of experts to help them build a competitive university application. As a result of this comprehensive support, many from KTJ have gained entry into top universities, including Cambridge, Edinburgh, London School of Economics, Warwick, Columbia, Harvard, and Upenn. A dedicated Higher Education and Careers Guidance Counsellor who has over 25 years of experience is also there to enable them to make informed decisions about their futures.

Students who are transitioning from government school to KTJ Primary or Secondary school are provided well-rounded and individualised support. This includes the English as an Additional Language (EAL) programme, which is offered to those who speak English as a second language, to enable them to confidently participate in and out of the classroom. The KTJ Learning Support team also provides assistance to new students with additional needs to enable them to gain access to the curriculum and achieve their highest potential.

“At KTJ, we strive to ensure that students’ academic and pastoral needs are well taken care of,” says Moodie. “Our approach to helping students thrive and flourish at our school is led by our ethos of providing a family-like environment with a caring and nurturing staff. We want our students to live happy and fulfilled lives, where they make a difference and have a positive impact on the world.”

For more info, visit www.ktj.edu.my