If you are moving to a new country and you need to enrol your kids in school, you will have plenty of options. As a parent, you want what is best for them, so it is important to take your time and choose a learning institution that suits their needs. This article will take a look at international schools and public schools, highlighting some of the things that make them different.
Curriculum
- International School
If you look at the curriculum at Basis International School Bangkok, you will see that it is a lot different to Thai public schools. An international school uses a curriculum that comes from their home country, so you may have a curriculum from somewhere like Australia, the UK, the US, or Singapore. The school may also just adopt an internationally recognised curriculum.
- Public School
In most countries, the public school curriculum is set by the ministry of education in that country. Some will be better than others depending on what country you live in. The curriculum in Thailand is set by the ministry of education and it is not as diverse as an international school curriculum.
Cost of Education
- International School
Private school tuition can cost a lot of money depending on where you send your children. International schools are at the top end of the scale as they generally offer the best teachers, facilities, and curriculum. In places like Thailand, you can also look at bi-lingual schools which are options in between international and public schools.
- Public School
Most public schools are free to anyone who enrols, but some countries charge non-nationals a small fee. If you are a citizen of an ASEAN nation, you generally pay less than other international students.
Admission
- International School
Admission into an international school is simple, you enrol your child and pay the fee. There are no entrance exams and expat families can choose whatever school they fancy. Schools are chosen by their location, price, curriculum, etc.
- Public School
In most countries, citizens enjoy first priority when it comes to getting a place in a public school. If you are an expat, you should always have a backup plan just in case there are no places left in the public school system.
When choosing between international schools and public schools, take all of the points listed above into consideration. There are obvious differences between the two school systems and often the gap is quite substantial depending on the country.
