People are always relocating, whether it is within their own country or overseas. As with other cities globally, Tokyo is increasingly becoming more cosmopolitan than ever before. The Japanese government has made it possible for expatriates to enjoy their slice of home within their borders. Leisure facilities, financial institutions and other service providers are diversifying their services to cater to the increasing expatriate population.
Most education institutions are becoming increasingly flexible with their curricula, such that Tokyo has become the number two best education destination in the world. The ranking is because of its innovation in education and overall quality of life. How do you identify the best international school in Tokyo with so many high-ranking educational institutions in the city?
Criteria that can help you pick out the best:
1. The curriculum
One of the most trying things that you can go through as an expatriate family is maintaining a consistent education for your child. Any disruption in your children’s education may lead them to underperform. When selecting an international school, look at the available curricula that the school offers. There are many types of curricula which you can choose. However, British and Indian expatriates can relish the fact that most schools provide IGCSE, IB and CBSE curricula as part of the available curricula. Entities such as the Global Schools Foundation provide either one or all these curricula in their three campuses located in Tokyo.
2. The method of instruction
Teaching methods are continually evolving. No longer are children confined to learning in the classroom. More emphasis is now on extra-curricular activities as compared to academics alone. Children come with different abilities, and harnessing their most prominent attributes ensures that they receive a quality education.
International schools are evolving their teaching methods by incorporating technology in their processes. Your child can now work collaboratively with other students around the globe via video conferencing. Students can now use different information sources aside from the prescribed textbooks and reading lists to provide more comprehensive reports. Some schools also add extra facets to the curriculum by developing proprietary education frameworks that promote holistic learning for your child.
3. The available facilities
Depending on the diversity in curricula, the number and nature of available facilities may differ from school to school. As you look around for the ideal school for your child, you may find those that have auditoriums, music rooms, science labs and even research centres. It all depends on the education framework that the school employees. For example, your child can take advantage of the Mahatma Gandhi Centre for Universal Values, where they will learn the values of humility and compassion.
Japan is also the leader in invention and technology. As schools continue to outdo each other, more state-of-the-art facilities and devices are being incorporated into buildings’ design. The likelihood of finding these facilities in international schools is higher as compared to local schools. Early exposure to technology such as biometric scanners and cashless payment systems better equip your child for a digital future.
4. The student fraternity
Every school features a mix of people from different backgrounds, each with their unique set of skills. From teachers, administration and student population, the people that your child interacts with during their schooling will shape their outlook on society.
Opt for schools with a multicultural mix of individuals so that they can understand that all are equal regardless of where they originate. Tokyo is awash with different cultures stemming from Europe, Africa, India and the Americas, all blended into one welcoming and accommodating lifestyle. International schools are also embracing this national outlook of globalisation. Many of them now are open to global and inclusive education.
Global education necessitates educators to teach their students what is happening around the world and encourage them to come with solutions that cater to all. On the other hand, inclusive education refers to a system of learning where opportunities are equally given to all regardless of their physical capabilities. As you go about looking for schools, you will notice that both able and disabled children share classrooms and learn in the same environments.
5. Qualifications of the teaching staff
Look for schools that take good care of their staff, as this will mean that they will perform their duties with full commitment and dignity. Japan is known for its strictness with discipline and community. The culture also emphasises a commensurate reward for deeds well done. Therefore, you can be sure that your child is getting the best education they can receive from the get-go.
The right international school will invest in the training of their staff to world standards as well as have strict qualifications in their hiring policy. Collaboration within faculty members across institutions should also show you that the school is committed to achieving excellence in its service delivery.
The same goes for diversity in the workforce. The leading international schools go beyond hiring academic staff. You will find schools with research scientists, career consultants, sports coaches, and medical staff within your rank. By opting for such schools, you guarantee a bright future for your child as they will be learning from experts.
6. Level of support outside the school environment
As your child approaches graduation, you need to prepare for their next step into tertiary education. There is added pressure on parents, as most of them are unaware of the available options. Leading international schools often have university placement programmes, where your student officers facilitate your child with the university application process. They help identify programmes in line with your child’s qualification and help with the student scholarship application process, should you need financial assistance.
The University of Tokyo and the Tokyo Institute of Technology (Tokyo Tech) rank twenty fourth and fifty-sixth respectively on the 2021 QS World University Rankings. By enroling your child in an international school, their chances of gaining admission to these institutions are much higher. Often, these schools have tie-ups with such universities and other renowned institutions globally.
Besides university placements, leading corporations within Japan visit internal schools to find exemplary students to put through their specific programmes. Japan is known for its leading role in global invention and information. You can find schools that provide co-curricular activities in Science, Technology, Arts and Mathematics (STEM). As part of the programme, children can further their interest in robotics and technology, depending on what is available at the institution.
Student exchange programmes are also another way in which you can ensure a bright future for your child. Most international schools have these initiatives where your child can spend a semester in a sister school in a different country. In getting this opportunity, your child gets to experience life outside the confines of their local community. It helps in developing a deeper understanding of doing things differently and also widens their thinking.
International schools can be expensive, well beyond the means of the average income family. However, many international schools offer scholarship programmes for deserving students within their available campuses. programmes such as the Hideki Yukawa Global Skills Scholarship are available for Japanese residents that excel in technology. Look at the options available to you and apply for your child. By entering such programmes, you are securing a bright future for them.
Most scholarship programmes also come with other benefits, such as guaranteed internships and future employment. According to statistics from the 2020 Quacquarelli Symonds (QS) World University Ranking report, Japan ranks first in the world in terms of employer activity. It gains this spot as a result of both local and international companies recognising some of the educational institutions as offering top talent.
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7. Continuity in education
Moving your child to different schools can be detrimental to your child. Every time they switch schools, they must take time to acclimatise with their new surroundings, which leaves little time for them to focus on learning. International schools can ensure continuity as they have all the streams from japanese kindergarten to secondary school.
Despite Tokyo being one of the most populated cities globally, schools are looking to expand their facilities to ensure continuity in their child’s education. Where space is not available, students can transfer within campuses under the same entity to facilitate this continuity. Global Schools Fund (GSF) operates three schools in Tokyo, each providing different curricula under the same values and teaching methods.
Most of the leading international schools are in the proximity of expat communities. In some areas, you may find a coccus of residents from a shared culture, which helps curb feelings of homesickness. Furthermore, Tokyo has an elaborate transport system that is a favourite amongst most of its residents. As your children commute to and from school, they get to experience various cultures, which further enhances their chances of becoming global citizens.
