More opting for international schools
Locals seek high quality education with global outlook for their children
IN the past decade alone, the number of international schools in Asean countries has been rising, with many of the world’s leading international schools choosing to set up their campuses in Malaysia.
This 21st century phenomenon has had huge implications for the education scene in Asia.
Originally conceived so that globetrotting expatriates and diplomats could ensure their children are able to continue their education seamlessly while they work in far-flung countries, international schools have found a new purpose which is breaking down barriers between nations.
According to ISC Research, a company which tracks the global international schools market, the number of students enrolled in English-medium international schools has grown by almost 7% a year, with such schools now accounting for 5.1 million children across the world.
This growth is forecast to continue, with almost 7 million children expected to be attending international schools in 2023.
The international education market is valued at USD 46.7bil and projected to rise to USD 66.6bil in four years’ time.
Significantly, ISC Research has also shown that rather than the expatriate-dominated schools of the past, four in five of those students are from local families.
In some countries, the rise in local enrolments has been particularly marked.
In Indonesia, the proportion of local students enrolled in premium international schools doubled in just three years, from 25% in 2015 to 51% last year.
In Malaysia, 50% of students at international schools are Malaysian.
Increasing demand for international schools in Malaysia in recent years has led to a sharp upsurge in the number of international schools and students in the country.
This in turn has seen the Malaysian international school industry growing by leaps and bounds over the past 10 years with no signs of slowing down in the near future.
More expatriate and local parents are choosing international schools for their children, looking for an education that is both high quality and will help their children cross national boundaries more easily.
Dr Gregg Maloberti, the head of School of Shattuck-St Mary’s Forest City International School, said: “Besides paving the way for entry into universities around the world, international education will help students to form the sort of connections that will stand them in good stead in an increasingly globalised economy.”
He highlighted that the curricula provided in international schools are often far more interesting compared to the national school curricula.
Numerous international schools in Malaysia offer American, British and Canadian curricula among others.
Neoh Soon Ken, the director of Marketing and Communications of St Joseph’s Institution International School Malaysia, stated that many parents in Malaysia now recognise that children need to have the life skills that enable them to take their place as global citizens of the future, and that “international schools provide the environment, platform, resource and support in this area”.
Additionally, Thila Nava, the principal of City Harbour International School, highlighted that parents are drawn to aspects such as the English-medium education and international curriculum, as well as their focus on each child’s learning ability and a low student-teacher ratio to help students perform better academically.
Editor of The Global Scholars Yizen Teo said the growth of international schools in Malaysia could also be attributed to the shift towards using English not just as a foreign language but also as a medium of instruction in subjects including science, mathematics and geography.
“English is increasingly seen as a passport to a global world, and a way to access modernity and prosperity.
“The growth of international schools in Malaysia is set to continue on an upward trajectory in the foreseeable future,” she observed.
Driven by proactive policies by the Malaysian government and investment from the private sector, Malaysia now 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.
This means that there will be an even more impressive variety of high quality education options for parents to choose from.
To find out more about the international school scene in Malaysia, log on to www.theglobalscholars.com