A tradition of excellence
FOUNDED in 1987, elc International School has developed a quiet reputation for its affordability and dedication to outstanding academic achievement.
Chief executive officer and founder Margaret Kaloo believes that its success can be attributed to three core values.
These values are “excellence in everything we do”, “loyalty to each other and the school” and “commitment to continuous improvement”.
Principal of elc International School Sungai Buloh campus Sheela Raghu says, “The school’s ethos is steeped in what we consider to be the best of British and Asian values, and we actively encourage selfdiscipline, integrity and the pursuit of excellence among teachers and students.” Margaret adds, “Developing skills and nurturing inquiring attitudes are at the heart of everything we do. We work hard to provide students with an atmosphere conducive to real learning.
“We believe that the perfect environment depends less on expensive facilities and more on the atmosphere that we, as teachers, cultivate. We are aware that creating such an atmosphere involves being aware of what our students are thinking, what their interests are, and what they need to accomplish their goals.” elc International School students are subject to high expectations both in and out of the classroom. Head of secondary for elc International School Sungai Buloh campus Chong Soh Nee shares, “Hard work, commitment and perseverance are reinforced, and a structured system of nurturing students is provided. “Courtesy, concern for others and care for the environment are actively encouraged while a firm stand is taken against negative social behaviour.
“These values are important to us and form part of the foundation of success on which we have painstakingly built.”
Director of curriculum and assessment Chris Patterson acknowledges that the use of the word “traditional” in education circles generally comes with negative connotations. However, he tempers this misconception by highlighting the fact that elc International School has been accredited with the International Schools Quality Mark by the Education Development Trust (EDT).
At this year’s International General Certificate of Secondary Education (IGCSE) examinations, 77% of elc International School students achieved distinctions (A*/A) and 99% achieved results between A* and C.
This is well above world standards and among the highest IGCSE averages in Asia.
Over the last 10 years, the school’s average distinction level is 74%, with 98% of all students achieving results between A* and C.
Head of secondary for elc International School Cyberjaya campus Kothai Chidambaram believes that the school’s focus on values develops students who are willing to work for success, resulting in consistent, excellent academic results.
elc International School achieves these successes with average annual fees of around RM25,000 in an industry where it is common for annual fees to exceed RM60,000.
Director of student welfare Kumar Nagappan ensures that, for students, teachers focus on pastoral care, preparedness for university, leadership, social skills and employability.
This is achieved through sports competitions, workshops on life skills, one-on-one discussions with students, counselling services, extracurricular activities, service projects, the prefectorial board, the Interact Club, the Junior Award Scheme for Schools, and The Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award.
The school is a member of the Federation of British International Schools in Asia, Association of International Malaysian Schools and International Schools Athletics Conference, giving it access to myriad staff development and student enrichment options.
Class sizes are kept small (about 20 students in each) with a teacher-student ratio of about one to nine.
All in all, it is hard to comprehend how a school with so much to offer and so rich a history is not better known. Perhaps that is the secret of its success.
n For more information, visit www.elc.edu.my