My take on International Schools

When I read the news that Malaysia's Education Ministry has allowed locals to enrol into International Schools, I smiled. Finally, after so many years, our government has waved the green light in favour of parents' who want more choices for their children. I agree with many that this may drive a wedge between the upper middle class and the average income population but I also agree that with the rise in consumerism, we Malaysians should ought to be given more choice in the education system that our children are to be educated in.

I've been in the National Stream since I was in Primary School. I knew nothing about the other overseas curriculum other children who allowed to, can opt for. I thought it was the curriculum available and thus it was the best. However, after completing my mandatory 11 years in the National Stream, my parents decided that it is time to enrol me into an International School to pursue my A-Levels. The school that I went to had students from Form 1 to Upper 6 in the International Stream. I thoroughly enjoyed the learning environment there. Classes were small, teachers were dedicated and there were no qualms for speaking up in class. We were rewarded not by the number of A's we obtained in a test, but instead we given credit for the amount of effort we put in during class time and assignments. A student may have got a 4 (indicating the lowest grade i.e. a D) for the monthly test but a 1 or 2 (indicating an A or B) for the effort made to improve ourselves. Students were encouraged to strive for improvement and there were plenty of space for us to show our talent in whichever field we fancy.

Drama and public speaking were a big thing in school then. They were designed to boost our confidence and language skills. Many students took part in the schools' annual drama production. Tip-top sports facilities were offered in the school. Again, students were encouraged pick two sports for the whole term. Music and art appreciation were also the many things that students were taught in the school. There were also a wide variety of books and magazines in the school library. Nothing was too controversial for the students. I remember recommending "Memoirs of a Geisha" to my National School in Form 5. My teacher said no. It was too much for our students' minds. But nothing of this sort happend in the international school. It was very open and students could read and even recommend reading material to the librarian who will then order the book recommended.

The fees were expensive. It was RM33000 a year including of boarding during my time. I think it has now increased to about RM38000 or maybe more. Not all parents can afford it and I was lucky that my parents could.

I learnt so much in that school. I learnt confidence (something which I sorely lacked before). I learnt that there is so much more to learning that memorising facts. I mixed freely with students from different parts of the world. The teachers never told me to ask my tuition teacher for answers to questions that I didn't know, unlike my chemistry teacher in National School. Teachers were more like friends than authority figures. And because of the small community (about 500 students), everyone knew everyone.

So…my take on International Schools? I believe they truly provide an all round education. Not that I didn't have a good education in the National School that I attended, but I felt restricted compared to the International School environment. My parents also felt the same. They said that I was no longer shy and was able to speak up and be more confident. They agreed that the price was well worth it.

If I become a parent and if I can afford the fees, I will definitely have no qualms about sending them to an International School in their secondary years. Primary school should be spent in a National School so that they can understand, appreciate and value the difference.

What is your take??

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