School education is crucial in a child’s life since it builds the foundation on which their future will be built. Hence, one of the toughest and most important decisions that you will ever make for your children is choosing their school.
The decision is even tougher for Malaysian parents considering the extensive variety of schooling options available in the country. In a wide sense, there are three types of schools in Malaysia – Public, Private, and International.
Public schools are government schools that offer a Malaysian curriculum and accept Malaysian students only. Private schools are owned by non-government organisations and also offer the national curriculum, but accept both local and foreign students. International schools are privately owned, offer an international curriculum, and accept both Malaysian and international students.
For Malaysian parents, the choice is usually between public schools and international schools. So, here we will discuss both types to help you decide.
Here are six factors for you to consider when weighing between public and international schools for your child:
1. Medium of instruction
The first factor to consider is the medium of instruction. International schools’ primary medium of instruction is English. There are also other foreign languages that are offered as second and third languages.
For public schools, on the other hand, the primary medium of instruction is Bahasa Melayu and English is offered as a compulsory second language.
Hence if you have plans to send your children abroad for higher studies, enrolling them into an international school will give them exposure to the international language that might help them get admission to foreign universities in future.
2. Class size
The class size of public schools can go up to 40 students or more per class with just one teacher. Whereas in international schools the class size is way smaller at 15 to a maximum of 25 students per class with one teacher and one teaching assistant. Thus, it goes without saying that students get more personal attention from teachers at international schools.
It is common among parents of students of public schools to send their children for extra tuition classes after school since they do not receive the attention they require from school. On the flip side, international schools provide after-school extra classes for students who are a little weak. In simple words, international schools emphasise inclusion and ensure that no student is left behind, which is possible because of the small class size.
3. Quality of teachers
The quality of teachers varies from public schools to international schools as well. Public schools employ highly qualified teachers too, but the teachers are all Malaysian nationals.
Most international schools, on the other hand, may employ foreign teaching professionals with international qualifications. Students are exposed to different ways and methods of teaching under the guidance of teachers from around the world. This helps students become better equipped to study in foreign universities later on in life.
4. Cost of education
For some parents, one of the most important factors to consider is the cost of education. Although international schools offer competitive prices to fill up their seats, public schools are still way more affordable than international schools.
By enrolling in a public school your children will receive education for ten years almost free of cost. Whereas if you admit your children to an international school, note that you will have to cough up fees that are sometimes almost equivalent to university costs.
5. School facilities and extra-curricular activities
With a better budget and more funds available, international schools offer the latest and state-of-the-art facilities for all students that public schools lack. From extensive options for extra-curricular activities to well-equipped classrooms and laboratories, international schools offer far more than just bookish education. Compared to international schools, public schools have very basic school amenities. Although public school students participate in inter-school and national level competitions too, the exposure is much less than in international schools.
6. Students
In public schools, most students are local Malaysians since foreigners are not allowed to enrol in government schools. Hence if you admit your children into a public school, your children will make friends with fellow Malaysians and be exposed to the cultures that are local to the country such as Malay, Chinese, and Indian.
Whereas, if you enrol your children to an international school, they will most probably make friends with students from all over the world. Your children will become friends with students of different nationalities from the world over and learn a wide variety of cultures.
The best education for your children
All parents wish to give their children the best possible education and the different kinds of schools in Malaysia ensure that every parent can find the best school for their kids.
When it comes to choosing between a public and an international school, it cannot be said which will be best for your children since a lot would depend on many factors as mentioned above. Hopefully, in this article will help you make an informed decision.
Before you make a decision do note that the success of children do not entirely depend on the kind of school they attend. Regardless of whether your children attend public schools or international schools, what they become in life will depend on their hard work, dedication, and sincerity. However, a good school, which can be both a public or international school can give them a head start on their future life and build the foundation for a successful career.
