Know Everything About an International School for Your Child's Future

Education is changing rapidly in the 21st century, with more and more parents getting attracted to the offerings of International Schools. The benefit of International Schools is that the students get a chance to be a part of the Inquiry-based education system which doesn't emphasize much on textbooks and grades.

However, the global education landscape is made up of ideas and terminologies which are a combination of three basic concepts - Comparative Education, Development Education and Global Citizenship Education. The third kind is getting a lot of attention from experts and leaders. In India, the Modi Government has updated its current Indian education system, focusing on the best practices followed in Global Education, to prepare Indian students to take on the global stage.

What Makes International Schools Popular?

Education has evolved in present times, from the old chalk and blackboard method to digital tools. Over the years, parents have been voicing concern that the current education system does not leave any scope for students to learn new concepts, expand their horizons through exposure to global cultures and build international relationships. 

International schools bring a different perspective to the mix. The emphasis on the international curricula offered in these schools is far from mere textbook learning. In fact, some international schools follow a curricula which focuses on inquiry-based learning, which asks the students to be the driver of their own learning process, be curious and inquisitive and ask questions to understand better. Students are encouraged on exploring ‘how to think’ as opposed to ‘what to think’. This makes them self-learners for life. 

International schools also encourage a multicultural environment which ensures mixing of nationalities, cultures and viewpoints different from the norm. These benefits are naturally attracting parents to try international schools. 

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How to Choose the Right International School for Your Child?

Parents desire to offer their children the best academic opportunities. They want to provide only what is best for their children. Although International curricula and CBSE curriculum have their own target audience, when it comes to deep and practical-based knowledge, where students can learn about different cultures and countries, International Schools are getting immensely popular. 

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Research is necessary to figure out which international school will suit best for a child. There are several International schools open in each city. However, when it comes to selecting the most suitable one out of all the options, parents need to know more. 

Here are six tips to help parents make the right choice of schooling for their children from the options available:  

1. Understand the school curriculum:  

Before selecting any school for children, whether national or international, parents should make a point to take an in-depth look at the school curriculum and understand the classroom structure, strength, student to teacher ratio, subjects, and teaching style offered by the teachers. It will allow parents to decide whether their child will be able to adapt to it or not. Additionally, they should prepare a list of the questions related to their school curriculum requirements and try to find the answers to them. If parents are able to find the answers and the school seems to be the best in the educational context, then it may be a good choice for their child.

International Schools like Global Indian International School, Kuala Lumpur follows different curricula and style of imparting the curricula. GIIS offers India’s Central Board of Secondary Education for students from kindergarten to Grade 12, as well as Cambridge IGCSE. While one curriculum has strict textbook preferences, the other one encourages inquiry and self learning. 

Parents need to understand the inclinations of their child to understand which curriculum will suit them the best.

2. Research about school staff:

Faculty play a significant role in defining what kind of education a child will get. Hence, before finalizing the school, examine its staff, based on teaching style, philosophy, and teaching methods. The quality of teachers is a deal-breaker and thus knowing the standard of teaching facility provided is a must when looking for an international school. Well-qualified teachers are always an asset to the school, but when they also have passion for their job, it is an added asset. Good international schools, like GIIS, ensure thorough background checks of their faculty, insist on good degrees and experience and, moreover, train them to keep them abreast with the latest happenings in the education sector. 

A good mix of nationality among faculty is also an added advantage for the international schools as well as the students, who get exposure and insight into different cultures. 

Parents can ask for teacher credentials, observe the school culture, and speak to the concerned teachers to know more before deciding on the school.

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3. Examine the School Environment:

At the time of selecting an International school, parents could do well to visit the campus to understand the facilities they are offering. The campus environment plays a major role in deciding how persuasive and enthusiastic children will be during their learning time. 

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So, what parents should include in their checklist while examining the campus? They should look for well-equipped classrooms, labs, libraries, sports, and recreational areas, extracurricular activities, etc. The school that is up to the mark in all these areas will help the students to live a healthy and balanced lifestyle. Furthermore, check the behavior of the teachers and staff to understand the strictness of the school as no parent wants their child to study in a very strict school with unsupportive faculty. This might hinder the child's learning progression.

4. Connect with other Students and Parents:

The best way to get unbiased information about an International school is by connecting with the current students and their parents. They would be able to give insights into the strengths and weaknesses of the school. The achieved information would be based on experience and sometimes unfiltered. Cross-checking of facts through multiple sources will be a prudent step to separate the chaff from the wheat.

Furthermore, check the social media page of the school and understand what parents and current students have to say about it. Feedbacks and reviews are some of the best ways to get an understanding of the school. Keeping all pros and cons, after connecting with current students and their parents, allow new school seekers to make a smart choice.

5. Match Personal Values with School’s Values: 

It is essential for parents to match their personal values and philosophy with that of the school. It will allow their child to easily settle down in the school environment. And as the best International Schools, such as Global Indian International Schools, where parents want to give their students the experience of International education, knowing and understanding the school’s mission and vision becomes even more of an essential factor to look at.

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To find the match, parents should be aware of their values and philosophies. Then be sure about the type of environment they are looking for their child. Additionally, they should know how their child can learn efficiently. When they find the school that matches the requirements, understanding what steps it takes to achieve the school's mission and vision will simplify the entire process. Based on the self-assessment, the child’s comfort, and the school’s values and mission, making an appropriate choice will become easier.

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6. Scan Expenses:

Before selecting the best International school for children, parents need to study its fee structure and miscellaneous expenses related to the school. Cost is a crucial factor while deciding the school for a child. If the budget says that it is easy to bear the Yearly Fees, then parents can put that school in their top list. Schools segregate tuition fees from miscellaneous costs that arise during the school year, which need to be factored into the decision-making stage itself. 

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Individual International Schools might follow a different fee structure, based on their originating country. So while selecting, also focus on that factor. “If parents are getting a vastly better International school for their child, but it has slightly higher fees as compared to another option, don’t miss the opportunity. Cost plays a major role, but paying a few extra dollars for better education is never an awful deal.”, say the experts.

The education system is changing, and the parents want their kids to get an education from Indian International Schools. It allows their children to acquire global education while not missing the Indian Educational requirements. However, parents should choose their child’s school wisely, while focusing on the above-given tips.

The Global Indian International Schools are the Leading Schools that have a combination of Indian and International Curricula, which allow the students to get extraordinary education. The school firmly believes in giving an overall development to the students and making them global citizens. With highly professional faculty across the world, the school ensures that each student in the institution will acquire the joy of lifelong, high-quality, skill-based, and value-based learning. 

So do you also want your child to become a part of Global Indian International Schools? Enroll Now! For more details, visit our website at https://kualalumpur.globalindianschool.org/

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