For many parents, enrolling their child in the nearest government school was considered the standard choice. As national schools in Malaysia provide almost “free” education, it had been hard for parents to consider the other options available.

However, parents today are ready to pay more to ensure that the school’s syllabus is up to date and they are equipped with the necessary knowledge and skills required for life after school.

National schools have an exam-heavy curriculum while parents want schools to be more focused on their child’s development. They want their child to be a well-rounded individual instead of relying on memorisation of topics.

With the advent of globalisation, parents also want their child’s education to have an emphasis on the English language.

For such parents who want their children to receive a world-class education, international schools have become a new possibility.

Parents are more than willing to dig deep into their pockets to see their children become true global citizens and receive holistic education.

Hence, it is no wonder that the number of students enrolling in international schools has been increasing steadily.

After the removal of the 40% quota on local students in 2012, many Malaysian parents have been looking at international schools for their children’s education.

However, there are certain factors, apart from academics and location, that parents should consider before enrolling their children in international schools.

1. Price

As parents, the deterring factor to enrolling your child in an international school is the price. You want to provide the best education for your child but what is the cost of doing so?

The budget allocated for your child’s schooling can be counted by evaluating how much you can spend on your child’s education per year, then multiply it by the number of years your child will spend in the school. This will help to narrow the options available to you.

As more international schools vie for increased student enrolment, the fee structure has become more competitive.

Parents can expect a fee range of around RM20,000 – RM30,000 minimum per year. The subjects and facilities offered in the school may vary depending on the school fees.

2. Extracurricular activities

Extracurricular activities signify a large portion of your child’s school life. It is the learning that occurs outside the classroom.

The stories of how students successfully receive a college scholarship by being active in their extracurricular activities are the envy and aspiration of many parents.

Your child’s school years are the best time to explore new activities, try different things and pursue what they are passionate about.

Parents need to know what their child is interested in and choose a school that provides the right environment for the child to grow.

A child who likes to play basketball should be sent to a school that has a varsity team, not one that focuses purely on academics.

3. Curriculum

International schools in Malaysia offer an extensive list of curriculums. Each curriculum is different from the ones offered at public schools and ensures that students receive a well-rounded education.

British, International Baccalaureate (IB), American, Australian and Canadian curriculums are most commonly offered by international schools. Each offers different learning methodologies to suit students’ needs from primary to tertiary levels.

The educational experience offered by these curriculums are widely different and so is the knowledge your child will receive.

4. Teacher and student body

In international schools, the teacher and student body is largely diverse. These schools are often known to build cultural bridges among the faculty and students with its diverse students and staff.

Classroom diversity is important because it brings something new and distinct to the table. Teachers and students from different cultures and backgrounds have distinct worldviews, experiences, cultural contexts, preferences, dislikes and personalities.

International schools have expatriates and locals working as teachers. The students are either locals or children of expatriates working outside their home countries.

The student and teacher body has no race majority, thus, everyone is learning to become a global citizen.

Considering the diversity of the teacher and student body is important when choosing schools because it is an environment where the children will spend most of their time and a diverse environment factors differently in a child’s development.

Parents wishing their child to gain more exposure can choose schools with a diverse student and teacher body. Those who are cautious or worry about their child experiencing cultural clashes can choose schools with less diversity.

As parents choosing a school for their child, different aspects of the school should not be the only thing to be considered.

Aside from the school’s suitability for the child, parents also need to know if the child too is suitable to spend years studying in the school. If the school does not have an environment that the child can thrive in, it may not be the school for him/her.

SchoolAdvisor.my provides information on private and international schools, extra-curricular activities as well as other education-related topics in Malaysia.