tenby schools malaysia - Education Destination Malaysia
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tenby schools malaysia - Education Destination Malaysia
C M Y CM MY CY CMY K Introduction Education Destination Malaysia: Guide to International & Private Schools, 2015–16 Edition CONT ENTS Editorial Director William Citrin Business Development Director Nickie Yew Business Development Introduction • Publishers’ Note • Welcome Message Stephany Loh, Marwina Edwin, Fizan Jameri Graphic Design Ding Siew Ming, Yusri Din Marketing, Web & Social Media Caron Lai Finance & Admin Anne Chia Contributors Sebastian Barnard, Christopher Bell, Janet Brock, David, Griffiths, Alison Hampshire, Lydia Ishak, Anne Keeling, Michele Lam, Santhi Latha, Shen-Li Lee, Derek Mackey, John Mackle, Kerstin Mockrish, Rob Mockrish, Deborah Priest, Jane Smith, Stuart Williamson Publishers 9 Essential Information 16 Curriculum Choices 75 • Map • Expanding Horizons • Expert Analysis • The Malaysian Educational Landscape • National or International School? • The Benefits of Boarding • How to Choose the Right School for your Child • How to Choose the Right Preschool for your Child • Steps to Enrollment • School Fees • How to Significantly Reduce the Cost of Education • How Technology is Transforming Today’s Classroom • Preschool Curriculum Options • International Primary Curriculum • American Curriculum • Australian Curriculum • National Curriculum of England • Cambridge International Examinations • International Baccalaureate • Ontario Curriculum Michele Lam, Nickie Yew, William Citrin Published by Mint Communications Sdn Bhd (701835-T) Suite 14-3A, Level 14, Wisma UOA II, Jalan Pinang, 50450, Kuala Lumpur [email protected], (+603) 7986 0070 Printer Sky Press Sdn Bhd (920029-P) No. 15, Jalan PBS 14/3, Taman Perindustrian Bukit Serdang, 43300 Seri Kembangan, Selangor © Mint Communications Sdn Bhd, July 2015. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, including photocopying and recording, or stored in a retrieval system of any nature without the written permission of the copyright holder, application for which should be addressed to the publishers. The publishers, authors, contributors and endorsers of this publication each excludes liability for loss suffered by any person resulting in any way from the use of, or reliance on this publication. Inside the Schools 103 School Showcase 131 Regional Education Scene 172 Other Learning Opportunities 175 • International School Directory • Comparative Reference Charts • International Schools in Southeast Asia The information in this publication is accurate at the time of printing. Please check with the individual schools for the latest information. Photographs of the schools that appear in the publication are provided by the schools. • Pre-University Options • How to Choose the Right Learning Center for your Child 6 www.EducationDestinationMalaysia.com EDUCATION DESTINATION MALAYSIA: Guide to International & Private Schools 7 Introduction PUBLISHERS’ NOTE Welcome to the third edition of Education Destination Malaysia: Guide to International & Private Schools. We are proud to once again produce this annual publication, which has come to be recognized as the definitive resource on international and private schools in Malaysia for parents of prospective students. The number of international and private schools in Malaysia has swelled significantly in recent years, offering parents here a wide range of options to choose from in terms of curriculum, cost, size, location, and other important factors. The aim of Education Destination Malaysia: Guide to International & Private Schools is to help parents find the “right” school for their children. The book contains practical articles guiding parents step by step through the school selection, application and enrollment process; an in-depth overview of the international and private school scene in Malaysia; a comprehensive international school directory with detailed profiles of individual schools; and informative articles about various topics including curriculum options, pre-university opportunities, and learning centers. We hope that this guide will serve as a valuable resource for parents of prospective students, empowering them to make informed decisions about their children’s education. Parents should also make sure to visit www.EducationDestinationMalaysia.com, the official website of the publication, which is the premier source of ongoing news and information about the international and private schools in the country. Another way parents can find out more about the educational options that these schools offer is by attending our Private & International School Fairs (PISF), which are held throughout the year in Kuala Lumpur, Johor and Penang. Education Destination Malaysia: Guide to International & Private Schools is the official publication of the PISF. For more information about our products and services, email [email protected]. William Citrin Michele Lam Nickie Yew 8 www.EducationDestinationMalaysia.com EDUCATION DESTINATION MALAYSIA: Guide to International & Private Schools 9 Introduction WELCOME MESSAGE Talent Corporation Malaysia (TalentCorp) is pleased to support the third edition of Education Destination Malaysia: Guide to International & Private Schools. For TalentCorp, the strength of the private education sector in Malaysia is one of the key value propositions for top talent in Malaysia. This annual publication serves as a valuable resource for both Malaysian and expatriate parents who are considering enrolling their children in an international or private school in Malaysia, and also functions as a powerful platform to promote Malaysia’s international and private education sector to the world. For parents with school-going children, there is a remarkable range of educational options here. The international and private education scene in particular is booming, spurred by the proactive policies implemented by the Malaysian government, an influx of students, and strong and sustained investment from the private sector. Established in 2011 under the Prime Minister’s Department, TalentCorp works with leading employers in Malaysia’s key industries to help them meet their talent requirements so that they can continue to drive the country’s economic transformation. The continued development of the international and private education scene in Malaysia will no doubt have a positive impact on the growth of the country’s economy, and will also help entice talented professionals to relocate and remain here. In today’s global economy, the competition among countries to attract and retain talent is fierce as talented individuals have employment options and opportunities all over the globe. When deciding whether to remain in or relocate to a given country, one of the main factors that many professionals consider is the availability of highquality education for their children. We at TalentCorp believe that Education Destination Malaysia: Guide to International & Private Schools is a wonderful tool to explore the country’s numerous educational opportunities that help support the attractiveness of Malaysia as a destination for global talent. We are delighted to officially support the publication once again. INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL 10 www.EducationDestinationMalaysia.com Johan Mahmood Merican Chief Executive Officer TalentCorp Malaysia EDUCATION DESTINATION MALAYSIA: Guide to International & Private Schools 11 TENBY SCHOOLS MALAYSIA Tenby Schools offer dynamic international and Malaysian private school programmes for Early Years, Primary & Secondary students, focusing on the development of responsible learners who are both independent and creative thinkers. For more information, please e-mail [email protected] Ipoh Tel: +605 525 2628 Penang Tel: +604 892 7777 Setia Eco Park (Shah Alam) Tel: +603 3342 1535 Miri (Sarawak) Tel: +6085 491 526 Setia Eco Gardens (Johor) Tel: +607 558 8812 Setia EcoHill Tel: +603-3342 1535 TENBY SCHOOLS MALAYSIA • Ipoh | Penang | Setia Eco Park | Miri | Setia Eco Gardens | Setia EcoHill A United World At Peace - Through Education Approved by the Ministry of Education, Malaysia www.tenby.edu.my Essential Information ESSENTIAL INFORMATION In this section, we present an in-depth overview of the international and private school scene in Malaysia, and guide you step by step through the school selection, application and enrollment process. 16 www.EducationDestinationMalaysia.com INTERNATIONAL SCHOOLS IN MALAYSIA 1 2 & 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 - 11 12 13 - 15 16 17 18 19 20 & 21 22 23 24 25 - 29 30 & 31 32 33 & 34 35 36 37 38 39 & 40 41 42 & 43 44 45 46 47 48 49 50 51 52 53 54 55 56 57 58 59 60 61 62 63 Al-Noor International School Alice Smith School Asia Metropolitan International School Asia Pacific Schools Austin Heights Private & International Schools Australian International School Malaysia Baseerah International School Beaconhouse Schools British International School of Kuala Lumpur Cempaka Schools Charis International School Dalat International School Eaton International School Ekhlass International School elc International School Epsom College in Malaysia EtonHouse International School Malaysia Excelsior International School Fairview International Schools Garden International School GEMS International School of Pearl City, Penang Global Indian International School Havil International School HELP International School Highlands International Boarding School IGB International School International Islamic School Malaysia International Modern Arabic School International School of Kuala Lumpur (ISKL) International School of Kuantan The International School @ ParkCity International School of Penang (Uplands) Kelantan International School Kidurong International School Kinabalu International School Kingsley International School Kolej Tuanku Ja’afar (KTJ) Kolej Yayasan Saad Melaka (KYSM) Labuan International School Lodge International School Malacca Expatriate School Matrix Global Schools Marlborough College Malaysia MAZ International School Melaka International School Mont’Kiara International School Mutiara International Grammar School Nexus International School Nilai International School 64 Nobel International School 65 Pegasus International School 66 Pelita International School 67 Prince of Wales Island International School 68 & 69 Rafflesia International & Private Schools 70 Raffles American School 71 - 73 R.E.A.L Schools 74 & 75 Regent International School 76 & 77 Sayfol International School 78 Seri Omega Private & International School 79 Sri Ara International & Private School 80 Sri Dasmesh International School 81 Sri Emas International School 82 Sri KDU Schools 83 Sri Kuala Lumpur International School Sri Sempurna International School 84 85 - 87 Sri Utama Schools 88 St Christopher’s International Primary School St John’s International School 89 Straits International School 90 91 Sunway International School 92 Tanarata International School 93 & 94 Taylor’s International School Tenby Schools 95 - 99 100 Time International School 101 Tunku Putra School 102 & 103 UCSI International Schools 104 UUM International School 105 Vikas International School 106 Vision International School 107 Wadi Sofia College Westlake International School 108 Woodlands International School 109 Zenith International School 110 EDUCATION DESTINATION MALAYSIA: Guide to International & Private Schools 17 Essential Information Expanding Horizons: The International School Industry in Malaysia The international school environment provides a world-class teaching and learning experience, incorporating the latest technology to enable inquiry-based activities, and offers rich and rewarding co-curricular and extra-curricular opportunities, ensuring the holistic development of each child. It is no wonder that international education is becoming an increasingly popular option for families in Malaysia, and the international school market here is expanding to meet this demand. A Booming Market The Malaysian international school industry has grown by leaps and bounds over the past decade. This rapid and dramatic expansion – driven by proactive policies by the Malaysian government and investment from the private sector – has led to a sharp upsurge in terms of the number of international schools and students. If you are a parent looking to send your child to an international school, Malaysia is the perfect place to be! The number of international schools in the country has swelled significantly in recent years, and Malaysia now boasts an amazing array of international education options. Executive Chairman of Brighton Education Christopher Bell and William Citrin provide an overview of Malaysia’s thriving international school scene. 22 www.EducationDestinationMalaysia.com More and more parents in Malaysia – both expatriate and local – are opting to enroll their children in international schools. These parents are seeing that an English-medium international education delivers many benefits, both academically and developmentally, and can offer a gateway to prestigious universities and, ultimately, employment opportunities around the world. The number of international schools in Malaysia has been increasing at a rate of 16% per annum over the past five years, and this growth is showing no signs of slowing down. As of 2015, there are 110 international schools in operation in Malaysia, with numerous new schools poised to open in the near future, and 14 licenses for new schools already approved. For parents looking to send their kids to international schools, this spells good news. There is a wider selection of schools and this means more choices for their children. International schools were once populated primarily by expatriate and affluent Malaysian students, but now, with many more affordable options in the market, they are available to everyone. Over the years, the demographics of the international school student population have changed significantly. The 2012 decision by the Malaysian government to eliminate the quota for Malaysian enrollment at international schools has opened the floodgates and Malaysian students are now pouring into these schools. In 2013, the number of Malaysian students attending international schools here actually exceeded the number of expatriate students – for the first time ever. Driving the Development of the Industry The international school industry in Malaysia has thrived steadily over the years, due to a variety of factors. The first is the strong and sustained investment on the part of the private sector, spurring the continuous establishment of new schools. The growth of the private education sector began all the way back in the late 1960s, with the emergence of private education companies that started out as small enterprises and grew into massive educational conglomerates encompassing full-scale colleges, universities and international schools. Now Malaysia 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. Another driving force behind the development of the international and private school scene is the growth of the expatriate population here. The number of expatriates living in Malaysia has increased steadily over the years, and there has been a corresponding need for increased capacity in international schools. This influx of expatriates has been spurred by Malaysia’s economic growth, government policy and the establishment of government-linked entities such as TalentCorp, whose aim is to attract talented expatriates (as well as talented Malaysians) to relocate and remain in Malaysia. The Malaysian government has been a significant catalyst behind Children who attend international schools develop into global citizens. They are equipped with the necessary skills and abilities to become adaptable and independent learners of the 21st century, and empowered with the ability to think critically and creatively. EDUCATION DESTINATION MALAYSIA: Guide to International & Private Schools 23 Essential Information the growth of the international and private school market here. The government’s implementation of proactive policies and relaxation of regulations and restrictions have fuelled the development of the private education industry. In 2012, for example, the government made a landmark decision to remove the quota for local students at international schools (Malaysians were previously only allowed to comprise 40% of the student population at any given school). With the relaxation of this regulation, there is no cap on the number of Malaysians that international schools can admit. This has resulted in a dramatic increase in the number of local students enrolling in international schools. As a part of its Economic Transformation Plan, the government, through PEMANDU, (the Performance Management and Delivery Unit) is introducing and undertaking numerous initiatives called “Entry Points Projects” (EPP). One of these is dedicated to “Scaling Up International Schools”. This EPP calls for the establishment of 87 international schools (a number that has actually, already been surpassed) with 75,000 students by the year 2020. To spur private investment in the international education sector, the government has removed barriers for local and foreign investors, created initiatives such as Public Private Partnerships and Foreign Branch Campuses, offered generous tax incentives to new and existing schools and supported land acquisition and soft loans for these institutions. All of these government policies have facilitated the growth of the international education sector, resulting in an influx of private investment and a substantial increase in the number of international schools and students. A Surge of Students We have seen significant growth in the number of students enrolled in international schools in recent years. At the start of 2015, the total number of students in international schools stood at 45,050, a figure that has increased by 4.6 times since 2004. We predict that the total number of students attending international schools will rise in the next five to ten years, and the overall number and capacity of these schools will expand to meet this demand. In terms of the overall composition of the international school student population, the number of Malaysian students attending these schools now exceeds the number of expatriates. At the beginning of 2015, there were 25,014 Malaysians in international schools, compared to 20,036 foreign students. With the rise in interest in international education among the local community, the Malaysian segment of the student population is set to grow considerably in the coming years. A World of Choices Looking at future curricular trends, the UK national curriculum, IGCSE and A Levels will likely continue to be the most commonly offered curricula by international schools here, while the IB and American Curriculum will become increasingly popular over time. All of the most popular curricula and programs – the UK National Curriculum, IGCSE, A Levels, the American Curriculum, the International Baccalaureate (IB), the International Primary Curriculum (IPC) – are offered widely here, while other curricula – such as the New South Wales Board of Studies Syllabus and the Ontario Curriculum – are present as well. In terms of cost, Malaysia’s international schools offer a wide variety of options, with tuition fees ranging from under RM5,000 per annum to over RM100,000 per annum – enabling almost every family to find a school that fits their budget. For parents looking to send their children to an international school, Malaysia offers an incredible array of choices in terms of cost and curriculum, giving every family the opportunity to find a school that suits their needs. With 14 new licenses for new schools already approved by the Malaysian government, the total number of international schools is set to rise. This means that there will be even greater variety of alternatives for parents to choose from, with many more affordable options for middle-class families. Indeed, a high-quality, Englishmedium international education in Malaysia is now within reach for all. The number of Malaysian students attending international schools in Malaysia now exceeds the number of expatriate students. Source: PEMANDU, Ministry of Education Malaysia 24 www.EducationDestinationMalaysia.com EDUCATION DESTINATION MALAYSIA: Guide to International & Private Schools 25 C M Y CM MY CY CMY K Essential Information Expert Analysis: Increasing Demand from Malaysian Families Driving the Growth of the International School Industry There has been phenomenal growth in the number of international schools and students around the world over the past ten years. This growth – globally and in Malaysia – has been driven in large part by increased demand from local families, who view an international school education as a gateway to high-quality universities around the globe. Anne Keeling from ISC Research takes a closer look at the trends in the Malaysian international school market. Over 3.9 million children now attend English-medium international schools around the world, where English is the language of learning. A high proportion are local children for whom English is their second or third language, and who are attending a fee-paying, Englishspeaking international school as a route to acquiring a place at a Western university. The data is part of the latest research into the global international schools market from the International School Consultancy (ISC). English-medium international schools are increasingly valued by the world’s universities. “International schools are of paramount importance for us,” said Karen McKellin, Executive Director of International Student Initiatives at the University of British Columbia (UBC) in Canada, where 70% of all international undergraduate 30 students come from international schools. “Their students meet all of our requirements; they are well prepared to mix and participate, they have very good facility of the English language, and they’ve been exposed to internationally recognised curricula,” she explained. At the University of Manchester in England, where 25% of all students are international, Liz Green, a Senior International Officer said, “There’s massive competition now to recruit www.EducationDestinationMalaysia.com the brightest and best young people from around the world and international schools are incredibly valuable to us for their very bright and fully rounded students.” Demand for International School Places by Malaysian Families An average of 80% of students attending the world’s Englishmedium international schools today are the children of local families who hope that attending an international school, many of which deliver globally respected curricula and examinations, increases the opportunities for a student to achieve the best potential for university and higher education. In Malaysia, this number currently stands at closer to 50%, a figure that has been increasing dramatically in recent years in line with changes in government policy. In 2012, the Malaysian government removed a limit on the number of Malaysian citizens who could enroll at international schools, thereby paving the way for a substantial increase in the number of local students attending international schools across the country. This change in policy, as well as other government changes (including the requirement for Malaysian public schools to deliver all subjects in Bahasa Malaysia), has resulted in a major change in the shape of the international schools market in Malaysia. Since 2009, the total number of students attending international schools has increased by 80%; the majority of which are local Malaysian children. Nicholas Brummitt, Chairman of the International School Consultancy, said, “Today there is a massive demand for English-speaking education in Malaysia, as in several other countries throughout the world. The future growth of the international schools market is very much dependent on how many people can afford to pay the international school fees”. Malaysia’s International School Market Today Malaysia is considered a major education destination within Southeast Asia. With 110 Englishmedium international schools, the country currently is home to 17% of the total number of international schools in Southeast Asia. There are two high-profile education hubs – located in Iskandar (EduCity) and Kuala Lumpur (Education City) – and 20% of all Malaysia’s schools can be found in Kuala Lumpur. 27% of all international schools in Malaysia are bilingual. They range in size, enrollment phases and orientation, but 57% offer (all or in part) the National Curriculum of England. International Baccalaureate programs including the Primary Years Program, Middle Years Program and Diploma Program are offered by 20 schools, of which 15 deliver the IB Diploma Program. As well as many local teachers, Malaysia attracts skilled, qualified teachers from all over the world to come and teach at its international schools. This includes a significant number of British teachers as well as North Americans and teachers from Australia and New Zealand. In total, 45,050 students are enrolled in international schools throughout Malaysia and many of the leading international schools are at, or close to, full capacity. The World’s International Schools Globally, there are currently 7,545 English-medium international schools and within ten years, ISC predicts there will be over 15,000 schools across the world meeting the learning needs of more than eight million students. The International School Consultancy Group (ISC) is the leading organization in the world for market intelligence on the international schools market. It provides a range of services to meet the market intelligence needs of schools, higher education, school suppliers, investors, developers and professionals involved with international education. For more information, visit www.iscresearch.com EDUCATION DESTINATION MALAYSIA: Guide to International & Private Schools 31 Essential Information The Malaysian Educational Landscape Education consultant Santhi Latha helps parents navigate the educational landscape in Malaysia by providing a broad overview of the different types of schools available here so that they can choose the right type of school for their child. In this article, we provide you with an overview of the educational landscape in Malaysia to help you determine which educational pathway is right for your child. The Government School System One of the most important decisions you will make as a parent is choosing the school in which to enroll your child. This can be a difficult decision, as you must take into account many different factors and consider what kind of educational environment and experience you want for your child and what your long-term educational goals for your child are. Malaysia offers various education platforms, giving parents numerous options when selecting a school. The existing systems include government schools and private schools offering the Malaysian national school curriculum; the vernacular schools that cater primarily for the Indian and Chinese communities wherein Tamil and Mandarin, respectively, are the mediums of instruction; and the international school system. 36 There are more than 10,000 government (also referred to as “public”) schools strategically dispersed throughout Malaysia. These schools are government funded and parents are only required to pay minimal fees, ensuring that each Malaysian child has access to education at the primary and secondary school levels. The core curriculum in these educational environments emphasizes the national language of Bahasa Malaysia and the teaching of all subjects, except other languages, is done primarily in Bahasa Malaysia. The Malaysian Ministry of Education introduced the Malaysian Education Blueprint in 2012, specifically to reduce the emphasis on examinations and rote-learning and to focus more on continuous assessments and independent learning. This effort by the Malaysian government is aimed at promoting active learning and nurturing well-rounded individuals. www.EducationDestinationMalaysia.com While commendable, in essence it means that for the children to whom this new structure applies, ultimately there will be no centralized assessments or examinations until they reach Form 5. Whether this will have a positive impact on the totality of the child’s education or not remains to be seen. Ministry of Education officials are working toward the achievement of all the outcomes specified in the Blueprint, which should be rolled out in totality by 2017. The Private School System The private school system, which has been operational in Malaysia for around 40 years, began as an effort by Malaysian education providers to expand and enhance the learning opportunities available for Malaysian families who could afford to send their children to these institutions. To send their children to private schools, parents are required to pay full fees including application and registration fees, tuition fees and fees for co-curricular activities. Although private schools follow the Malaysian national school curriculum, what differentiates these schools from government schools are their more extensive physical infrastructure and facilities, which enable greater access to technology, offer additional language classes as well as a whole range of other academic and non-academic activities that widen and enhance the educational experience. system (the Chinese schools in particular) has been significantly enhanced and developed through community effort and it is common now to see children from other ethnic communities learning in such environments. Other benefits of many private schools include more individualized attention for students, smaller classes, as well as typically higher levels of interaction between the school and parents. These vernacular schools emphasize Mandarin or Tamil as the primary medium of communication and instruction, although Bahasa Malaysia and English are compulsory subjects. For more and more Malaysian parents who can afford it, the private school system has become a viable alternative to the government school system, which is often perceived to be overcrowded and less personalized. The Chinese vernacular schools have earned the reputation of providing good quality education, although a common concern is the sometimes excessive amount of homework that is assigned to students and the pressure that the child is placed under due to the school culture, which puts a premium on performance and academic excellence. The Vernacular School System Vernacular schools were created to cater for specific ethnic and cultural communities in Malaysia, namely the Chinese and Indians, who wished to have their respective languages and cultural values promoted in their schools. Over the last three decades, however, the vernacular school The International School System Up until 2012, international schools in Malaysia were populated primarily by students from expatriate communities and there was a quota limiting the number of local students who could attend these institutions. The Ministry of Education has since lifted these restrictions, and access to international schools is now open to both Malaysian and international students. As a consequence of the heightened interest in international education from Malaysians and the influx of new students, there has been a mushrooming of international schools throughout the country, and many more are expected to be established in the coming years. International schools – which all use English as the medium of instruction – offer a range of curriculum options from the American Curriculum to UK Curriculum, from New South Wales to the International Baccalaureate, Islamic Curriculum and the Ontario Curriculum. Parents planning to send their children for an international school education in Malaysia have many options – in terms of curriculum, cost, location and other factors – to choose from. Whichever type of school you ultimately choose for your child, take the time to explore and examine the different options extensively before making a decision. EDUCATION DESTINATION MALAYSIA: Guide to International & Private Schools 37