LOCAL international schools certainly fill a need for parents and children who prefer a more holistic learning environment to pursue their education goals ("Home-grown global schools in demand"; yesterday).
My second child, who started his Secondary 1 programme with Anglo-Chinese School (International) this year, is full of positive comments about his school. It is said that a happy child is a motivated person.
Being a precocious boy who is outspoken, curious and inquisitive, he finds that the school's approach of small-group learning, discussions, presentations and learning exchanges empowers him to be bold in asking questions.
A smaller cohort also provides him with several opportunities to develop his leadership skills, critical in today's working world.
Not all young children can cope with a highly competitive education system like ours. Aggressive competition kills the joy of collaboration, teamwork and creativity.
At 13, a child should continue to deepen his passion for learning and enlarge his capacity to socialise with others of varied backgrounds. Without the fear of being held back a year for not making the grade, the child is able to focus on developing himself intellectually, physically, socially and emotionally.
Compared with local school fees, the $20,000 or more annual school fees charged by local international schools may seem exorbitant. However, local school fees are heavily subsidised by the Government. If these subsidies were removed, the wide range of programmes and facilities, as well as well-qualified teachers, at top schools would also command a higher fee.
From an altruistic perspective, if more financially able families were to send their children to local international schools, more places at our popular local secondary schools could be freed up to students from lower-income groups.
Frankie Mao
My second child, who started his Secondary 1 programme with Anglo-Chinese School (International) this year, is full of positive comments about his school. It is said that a happy child is a motivated person.
Being a precocious boy who is outspoken, curious and inquisitive, he finds that the school's approach of small-group learning, discussions, presentations and learning exchanges empowers him to be bold in asking questions.
A smaller cohort also provides him with several opportunities to develop his leadership skills, critical in today's working world.
Not all young children can cope with a highly competitive education system like ours. Aggressive competition kills the joy of collaboration, teamwork and creativity.
At 13, a child should continue to deepen his passion for learning and enlarge his capacity to socialise with others of varied backgrounds. Without the fear of being held back a year for not making the grade, the child is able to focus on developing himself intellectually, physically, socially and emotionally.
Compared with local school fees, the $20,000 or more annual school fees charged by local international schools may seem exorbitant. However, local school fees are heavily subsidised by the Government. If these subsidies were removed, the wide range of programmes and facilities, as well as well-qualified teachers, at top schools would also command a higher fee.
From an altruistic perspective, if more financially able families were to send their children to local international schools, more places at our popular local secondary schools could be freed up to students from lower-income groups.
Frankie Mao
