Steps to the right choice
PRIVATE and international schools that offer holistic education are no longer limited to the Greater Kuala Lumpur area – there are various institutions around Malaysia that now offer quality education at reasonable fees, each bringing a unique flavour to the international smorgasbord.
How, then, can parents choose the best school for their children’s education among all these?
Step 1: Identify your children’s needs.
While younger children may not yet have a clear path set out for them, older ones may have already developed interests that they wish to pursue as a career.
Younger ones therefore need to be equipped with the basics, including literacy and numeracy, while having sufficient time for play and exploration to feed their curiousity and suit their energy levels.
As your children grow, their needs and interests evolve and you may have to look for schools with more appropriate curriculum, subjects and co- curricular programmes. Some schools even have special programmes for science, arts or sports.
Step 2: Research to find the best fit.
As a parent, you would have an idea of the type of education you want your children to have. Therefore, the curriculum applied at the school should suit the longterm plan for further education and career options.
For example, if the plan is for them to attend a British university, your children would ideally be in a British system school assessed by IGCSE and A- Levels examinations.
Australian, American, Canadian and Indian curricula are also offered at international schools, in addition to the globally recognised International Baccalaureate ( IB) programme.
The IB programme has been gaining traction in the country, with schools such as UCSI International School offering programmes across all levels. Principal Alexandre Trespach Nenes believes parents should have realistic expectations of their child’s future and match them with what the school has to offer.
“Parents also know their children’s skills, abilities, personalities, strengths and weaknesses,” he says, all of which play a role in determining the best fit for a child.
There are several types of resources you can utilise in your research, including online portals such as schooladvisor.my and educationdestinationmalaysia.com, which offer comprehensive information, reviews and advice from others in the community.
Step 3: Speak to a representative.
Meet with a school representative – or even better, the principal – to have an open and honest discussion on your child’s prospective future at their institution. Bring your questions and concerns forward as the answers will not only provide essential information, but also allow you to gauge the staff’s passion and dedication to education.
A face- to- face session is best so you can perform a reconnaissance of the school at the same time. Observe and speak to the pupils as they are the best indicators of the school’s conditions – if they seem happy there, yours could be too.
Step 4: Get testimonials and opinions.
Look for tangible indicators of performance, such as programme accreditation, staff qualifications and past average scores, but also consider other aspects to understand the bigger picture.
Are teachers able to relate with students to bring out the best in them? How are they assessed; is appropriate emphasis placed on individual abilities and performance? Are classrooms inclusive, safe spaces? How do the students get along with each other? Speaking to other parents or alumni members can help provide insight that can only come with experience.
Step 5: Child- test.
Once you have narrowed your choices down, bring your child in to see how they find their potential school. Involvement at early stages is important to make children feel included in the decision- making process as opposed to feeling helpless or stuck with their parents’ choices. More importantly, you will have a preview of how they will fit into the new environment.