Frequently Asked
Questions
We combine our personal journey with the insights gathered from years of sharing and connecting with other families, allowing us to help you answers some of these questions.
For Parents
The most common questions from parents navigating school choices in Malaysia
International vs Private vs Public School - Which is better?
First things first – you need to understand that no matter which type of school your child attends, ultimately everyone will have different experiences. How receptive your child will be depends on themselves, the teachers and classmates around them, the school environment, and the conditions at the time of enrollment. So we're not going to talk about absolutes, but rather share our personal experiences and observations. You still need to do your own research and make your own judgment. You and your child should discuss this together and visit the schools you're interested in to make your own decision.
Anyway, let's start by understanding the differences between these schools in the Malaysian context:
| Feature | International School | Private School (National Curriculum) | Public School |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cost | Very expensive (RM30,000-100,000+/year) | Moderate to expensive (RM5,000-30,000/year) | Very affordable (Free for locals, higher for foreigners) |
| Language of Instruction | Primarily English | Mix of English and Bahasa Malaysia / Chinese / Japanese / etc | Primarily Bahasa Malaysia |
| Curriculum | IB, Cambridge IGCSE, Australian, American | Malaysian National / International options | Malaysian National (KBSM/KSSM) |
| Class Sizes | Small (15-25 students) | Medium (20-45 students) | Large (30-45 students) |
| Teacher-Student Ratio | Low (better attention) | Moderate | High (less individual attention) |
| Facilities | Excellent (pools, labs, sports facilities) | Good to excellent | Basic to good (varies greatly) |
| Homework Load | Light to moderate | Heavy | Moderate to heavy |
| Teaching Style | Activity-based, encourages participation | Academic-focused, structured, exam-oriented | Traditional, exam-oriented |
| University Pathway | Primary international universities | Local and international universities | Local and international universities |
Our Personal Experience & Observations
International Schools:
Our children have personally switched through multiple international schools, and we've observed the good and the challenges. International schools are fantastic but very expensive. There's usually a good mix of international teachers and students (though be aware that some "international" schools have very few actual international teachers/students – so do your homework!).
Children pick up English incredibly fast – usually within 3 months they become somewhat fluent. International schools are more activity-based with minimal homework. In fact, some don't give homework until senior years, and even then it's quite minimal. This means children have lots of free time after school, which is why most international students attend endless after-school programs, or they'll stay home gaming non-stop (unless parents have the time and discipline to encourage home study).
The upside? International schools promote teamwork and encourage children to voice their opinions, which is excellent. The downside? Too much "voicing up" can also encourage children to "talk back" endlessly – if you know what we mean, it becomes like endless reasoning sessions with them! 😅
Private Schools:
Private schools are more cost-effective and quite similar to international schools, but teachers and students are mostly local. If your child takes international exams like IGCSE, they'll also pick up English quite quickly. Teaching staff are usually stricter and less "buddy-buddy" friendly compared to international schools.
They're more academically focused with significantly more homework – some private schools are famous for their endless homework load! It can sound intimidating, but students typically learn faster and become more independent. They rarely need (or have time for) after-school programs since homework keeps them busy.
However, unlike international schools, they usually promote individual work and don't encourage voicing opinions much, which isn't ideal for developing confident communication skills. But hey, parents get less "talk-back" sessions! 😄
Public Schools:
While our children haven't personally attended public schools, most of their cousins and some of their friends have, so we get surface-level insights. International students are accepted into public schools, but the process can be more complicated. And it is generally free for Malaysian, though foreign students pay significantly more.
English language development is usually slower (very poor in some instances) since there's more focus on the national language. As for education standards, it's hard to generalize – there are some absolutely fantastic public schools with prestigious alumni and excellent track records, while others... well, let's just say they vary greatly.
And public schools often face challenges with teaching staff retention (especially the good ones, as they're not compensated as well as international schools), but honestly, this is a common issue in many countries worldwide.
💡 Additional Considerations:
- • Cultural exposure: International schools offer more diverse cultural experiences
- • Language skills: Consider your child's current language abilities and future needs
- • University plans: Where do you envision your child studying after secondary school?
- • Social integration: How important is it for your child to integrate with local Malaysian culture?
- • Extracurricular activities: Different school types offer varying levels of sports, arts, and enrichment programs
- • Family budget: Be realistic about long-term financial commitments (remember, you might have multiple children!)
How do I know if a school is right for my child?
Visit the school and observe the teacher-student interactions. Most importantly, ask your child how they feel about the environment—since every child is different, what works for one might not work for another. Don't hesitate to schedule trial days or shadow visits if the school allows them. And don't forget to check online reviews and talk to other parents for their insights!
If all efforts are exhausted and your child still isn't adjusting, then don't be afraid to consider switching schools. However, be realistic: spend adequate time observing the situation before deciding, and avoid changing schools too often, as this can have a negative impact on the child.
When should I start looking for schools?
Start early! Popular schools fill up quickly, especially for certain grade levels. We recommend starting your search at least 6-12 months before you need enrollment. Some international schools have waiting lists that can stretch for years, so the earlier, the better. Plus, it gives you time to visit multiple schools without feeling rushed.
What about school transport and location?
Location matters more than you think! Consider your daily commute – will you be stuck in traffic for hours? Many great schools offer bus services, but check the routes and timing. We've learned the hard way that a 20-minute drive can become an hour during peak times. Your sanity (and your child's energy) will thank you for choosing wisely! Or better yet, consider schools within walking or biking distance if possible.
How important are extracurricular activities?
Very important! Kids need outlets for creativity, physical activity, and social development. Look for schools that offer diverse programs – sports, arts, music, debate clubs, etc. These activities often become highlights of your child's school experience and help them discover their passions. Plus, they look great on university applications later!
What questions should I ask during school visits?
Ask about teacher turnover rates, class sizes, homework policies, discipline procedures, and university acceptance rates. Don't forget practical questions: What happens if my child gets sick? How do you handle bullying? What's the parent communication policy? Can I observe a typical class? These details matter for daily life!
Should I be worried about my child's social adjustment?
It's natural to worry, but kids are surprisingly adaptable! Most children adjust within a few weeks to a few months. Look for schools with good pastoral care programs and buddy systems for new students. Stay involved but don't hover – let them navigate friendships naturally while being available for support.
For Schools
Common questions from educational institutions looking to join our directory
How can we list our school on your directory?
We'd love to have you join our growing community! Simply visit our "Submit Listing" page and fill out the detailed form. We review each submission carefully to ensure quality and accuracy.
Listings are completely free. We also offer featured listings for schools that want extra visibility and premium placement. It's straightforward, and we're here to help throughout the process!
What information do you need from us?
We need comprehensive details to help parents make informed decisions: curriculum offered, age ranges, fees structure, facilities, extracurricular activities, admission requirements, contact information, and high-quality photos of your campus. The more detailed and accurate your information, the better we can showcase what makes your school special!
Can we update our school information regularly?
Absolutely! We understand that schools evolve – new programs launch, fees change, facilities expand. You can request updates anytime through our contact form or update request system. We want your listing to always reflect the current reality of your school. Regular updates also help maintain your school's search ranking!
What's the difference between free and featured listings?
Free listings include all basic information and appear in search results. Featured listings get premium placement, highlighted appearance, and priority in search results. Think of it as VIP treatment that helps more parents discover your school!
How do parents find our school on your platform?
Parents can discover your school through multiple ways: location-based searches, curriculum filters, fee range searches, age group filters, and our interactive map. We also feature schools in our analytics sections and comparison tools. The more complete your profile, the more ways parents can find you!
Do you provide any analytics or insights about our listing?
We're working on providing schools with basic insights about their listings – like view counts and search appearances. While we don't currently offer detailed analytics, we can share general feedback about how parents are searching and what information they find most valuable. Your success helps our platform grow!
How do you handle parent reviews and feedback?
We believe in transparent, constructive feedback that helps everyone improve. While we don't currently have a public review system, we do collect parent feedback and share relevant insights with schools. We're working on implementing a balanced review system that promotes honest, helpful feedback while maintaining respect for all parties involved.
Can we remove our listing if needed?
Of course! While we'd hate to see you go, we understand that circumstances change. Simply contact us with your removal request, and we'll process it promptly. We're here to serve the educational community, and that means respecting your choices and maintaining positive relationships with all schools.
For Advertisers
Information for businesses looking to reach our engaged parent community
What advertising opportunities do you offer?
We offer various advertising options to reach our engaged parent audience: banner advertisements on key pages, sponsored content opportunities, featured placement in relevant sections, and custom partnership packages.
We work with education-related businesses, tutoring services, enrichment programs, and family-focused brands that align with our community values. Quality partnerships that genuinely benefit families are our priority.
Who is your target audience?
Our primary audience consists of parents actively researching educational options for their children in Malaysia. They're typically middle to upper-middle-class families who value quality education and are willing to invest in their children's future. Many are expatriates or local families seeking international education standards. They're engaged, research-oriented, and make thoughtful purchasing decisions.
What kind of businesses are good fits for your platform?
Perfect fits include: tutoring and enrichment centers, educational technology companies, uniform and book suppliers, children's activity providers, family restaurants, healthcare services (pediatric, dental), financial planning services, real estate agents specializing in school districts, and transportation services. We love partnerships that genuinely benefit families!
Do you have website traffic statistics to share?
We're transparent about our growing community! While we're still building our analytics dashboard, we can share general traffic trends and engagement metrics with serious advertising partners via Google Analytics. Our audience is highly engaged with longer session times than typical directory sites – parents spend significant time researching schools, which is great for ad visibility!
How do you price advertising packages?
We offer flexible options for different budgets – from small local businesses to larger organizations. Contact us for detailed pricing information tailored to your needs. We're also open to bartering arrangements with businesses that provide valuable services to our parent community!
Can you help create advertising content?
Absolutely! We understand that creating effective ads can be challenging. Our team can help design banner ads, write sponsored content, and develop campaign strategies that resonate with our parent audience. We know what messaging works because we ARE parents ourselves – authenticity and helpfulness always win over pushy sales tactics!
Do you offer trial advertising periods?
Yes! We understand that trying a new advertising platform involves risk. We offer short-term trial packages for new advertisers to test the waters. This way, you can evaluate the response and engagement before committing to longer-term partnerships. We want you to succeed because your success means our community benefits from quality services!
What's your policy on advertising content quality?
We maintain high standards because our reputation depends on providing value to parents. All advertising content must be honest, family-friendly, and genuinely beneficial to our community. We don't accept misleading claims, inappropriate content, or services that could harm families. Quality over quantity – always! We're partners in building trust with our audience.
Still Have Questions?
We're here to help! Don't hesitate to reach out – we love connecting with parents, schools, and partners.