First thing’s first: the quality of education your kids will get is not solely based on the school’s exclusivity or cost. Parents and guardians should take the time to examine the teaching methods of the school and the programs they have so that kids can further improve their skills. Whatever the outcome of the examination, which should be the basis for choosing the school.
Today, it has become doubly imperative to make sure our children are equipped with critical thinking skills and the social understanding that enables them to see from other people’s perspectives. We want them to easily comprehend if a reading material has verified facts, if what they are saying is intersectional, and if what they are doing benefits the society. For this reason, parents have considered enrolling their children in international schools.
A brief history of international schools
According to UNESCO, it is difficult to know precisely when international schools actually originated. However, they pointed out the Maseru English Medium Preparatory Schools established in 1890 as one of the first international schools ever established. It was meant for the children of British missionaries, traders, and officials in Basutoland. In 1924, international schools expanded to Asia, also catering to English-speaking children of expatriates.
Today, international schools do not only cater to foreign, English-speaking students. They also cater to local students who want an international quality of education. One of the best international schools in Singapore is the Global Indian International School, and it is one of more than a thousand English-medium schools in Southeast Asia. The demand for more international schools is oddly coming from locals and the expatriate families.
A unique educational framework
Most international schools are champions of holistic education. It involves a curriculum that does not just give importance to academic excellence, but also on athletic prowess, merits in the arts, and community care. A school that adapts a holistic education framework aims to produce students who are not just effective movers of society but are also compassionate and sympathetic towards other people.
This framework starts with repetition and memorization. They are taught concepts and theories that move society, and they are expected to repeat the definitions discussed in class. Then, they are expected to apply what they have learnt through hands-on work and collaborative tasks. However, true learning is exhibited when they formulate their own ideas either to support or to disagree with some concepts they learnt.
Students are also given state-of-the-art equipment for sports and the arts. Instructors can guide them to further their skills and improve on their weaknesses, all while teaching them values like sportsmanship, preparedness, and discipline.
Being exposed to a multicultural environment
By its very nature, international schools provide students with a multicultural landscape. This is important, now more than ever, in teaching them the value of listening before speaking. The students they will be collaborating within the school bring with them different experiences, beliefs, and traditions. And in a multicultural environment, they are taught to appreciate those differences and develop an open mind.
Learning about diversity at a young age enables them to analyze issues through a critical, empathetic, and scholarly lens. They will be given the tools to work through challenges like language barriers and learn the differences and similarities of cultures around the globe.
Being in an international school is more than just giving our children an advantage when it comes to university or career prospects. It is about guiding their education and making sure they are equipped with the right tools and values to navigate a competitive world.
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