When it comes to international schools in Kuala Lumpur many expats who live there worry that they might not be able to afford the fees charged by these schools . Now this may not be the case at all, as there are a whole range of international schools that charge fees across the spectrum. That being stated it makes eminent sense for one to carry out a thorough research about the options available, before zeroing in on the one you think is just right.
The international schools in Kuala Lumpur might charge you anything between RM 24000 to RM 71000. That being stated, you really have to look at a host of things apart from the fees you are shelling out to make that final decision. These could include-
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1. Hidden Costs
It is all very well to be able to identify a school that on the face of it charges what seem to be reasonable fees, but you need to find out if there are hidden costs that might crop up later. That would ultimately add up to a higher fee that you are unaware of. Besides, you could end up with inferior facilities when compared with schools that charge a higher up front fee.
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2. Location
If the school in question is at quite a bit of distance from your home, you may end up paying quite a sum on transportation. Not only would that add to the total expenses you incur on your child’s education, it would also put additional strain on him or her, on account of all the travelling involved. That would in the long run impact his or her performance and have a detrimental impact on their future. It would possibly be a better idea to put them in a school that charges a higher fee, but is close to home.
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3. Facilities
The facilities provided in most international schools in Kuala Lumpur are quite good and are part of the reason that expats are comfortable sending their children there. If you as an expat parent want your child to have access to world class facilities and amenities, you would be open to paying a fee which will be somewhat higher than what you would pay at a regular school. If you look at it from a long term return on investment point of view, you will probably not mind paying more to secure your child’s future.
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4. Syllabus
It is important for expats to have their children study a syllabus that is compatible with the one back home. If an international school doesn’t offer that, one might not want to put one’s child in that school, even if the fee is low. Then there is also the fact whether the school in question offers the curriculum your child is likely to adapt to easily, whether it is IB, CBSE or ICSE. If you want your child to avail that, you will have to put him in the school that offers it, regardless of the cost.
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5. Pedigree and Reputation of a School
The school that one has gone to is like a badge of honor that one wears for life. It also makes you a part of the alumni of the school and if it has a global reputation, your child can take advantage of that network forever. Just like somebody who has been to Oxford will be looked at very differently from someone who has studied at a nondescript college. A school’s pedigree definitely plays a very important role in the choice of a school, at times regardless of the fee being charged.
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Conclusion
The answer to the question whether international schools are expensive in Kuala Lumpur depends upon what your expectations from the school are. If you want your child to go to a school with the ideal syllabus, infrastructure, teaching faculty and environment then cost would probably not be a factor. If on the other hand you are very budget conscious and do not mind foregoing a few benefits you are sure to find the right kind of school with a fee structure that you are comfortable with.
The thing about educating your children is that it is an investment for life. If you are able to send your child to a school that will more or less assure his or her future, the money thus spent would be well worth it. This is especially true in today’s times where the competition for good jobs is immense. Empowering your child to thrive in such an environment is the best thing that you could possibly do as a parent. Give your child the very best education and they will surely do you proud.
Kuala Lumpur is a great city to receive an education in and it makes great sense to put your child in one of the many leading international schools there and not fret too much about the fee.
