All about the Costs of Private Schools in Malaysia
Choosing a school for your child is one of the toughest decisions you can make as a parent. As much as possible, you’d want to give your kids the best possible academic experience of their lives, so there’s no room for error.
Like most parents, you may turn to private schools because of their great reputation. However, it comes as no surprise that they’re a lot pricier compared to public schools.
In this guide, we will give you the average costs of enrolling your kids in a private school here in Malaysia. We’ve also included the costs of Montessori and international schools, just in case you need them–let’s get started!
How much does private school cost in Malaysia?
In private schools in Malaysia, the annual fees for primary students range from around RM17,965 to RM18,500. Meanwhile, those entering secondary school will have to pay anywhere between RM21,475 to RM24,235 per year.
Keep in mind that these figures don’t take into account other fees such as books, uniforms, lunch, exams and more.
Types of Private Schools in Malaysia and Their Average Costs
The term private school is a bit broad, as several subcategories can be classified under it. These categories differ a bit in their price as well as in their offerings, so it would be best to know which one is the best for your child.
Check out the different types of private schools below and find out the average cost of studying in them.
International Schools
The cost of enrolling in international schools can vary between RM3,000 to RM30,000+ depending on the grade and the school itself. It’s worth noting that the higher the grade, the more expensive the school fee will be, which is why Grade 12 fees cost the most.
The target audience of these schools is children of expatriates who want to study abroad while learning the same curriculum as their country. However, locals can also choose to enrol their kids in an international school if they can afford the expensive tuition fees associated with it.
What is the difference between a private school and an international school?
The difference between a private school and an international school is that the latter caters more towards foreigners. These schools follow a different curriculum such as from the UK and US, and are usually more expensive than private schools.
Montessori
Enrolling your kids to a Montessori school will depend on the establishment. Take Modern Montessori International for example, they require a registration fee of RM100, and their tuition fee ranges from RM400 to RM750 per year.
Furthermore, they also feature miscellaneous fees that cost RM600 annually.
This type of school was named after the legendary Italian physician and educator, Dr. Maria Montessori. She lived by the philosophy of “the spirit of the child is as critically important as the mind of the child.”, which is reflected in how Montessori schools approach teaching.
This is why you’ll notice that these schools feature a child-centric educational approach where they let children learn naturally at their own pace. Meanwhile, the teachers serve as their guidance figures throughout their time in the school.
Montessori schools only offer programs for first to eighth-graders, but they do this in a hands-on way that lets kids lead their own way of learning. It’s proven to be effective too, as these establishments are renowned around the world.
Boarding Schools
Since boarding schools have the additional cost of living on their premises, they’re a bit more expensive than normal day schools. Depending on the establishment itself, boarding fees will cost around RM8,400 to RM123,000 per year.
In a nutshell, boarding schools are just like private schools. The only difference between the two is that in the former, students also live on the establishment’s premises.
This type of school is for those students that want to start living independently, which is why it’s offered during middle school. The decision is purely based on the parents and the students themselves, as some people at this age don’t want o leave their mom and dad just yet.
During your child’s time in this school, they’ll only go home during the weekends, depending on how far your house is. Plus, they’ll also get breaks that allow them to go back to their respective homes for a couple of days up to weeks.
You won’t have to worry about your children’s safety during their time in these schools as they’ll always be monitored. Plus, a curfew will be in full effect to make sure that every student is inside their rooms come night time.
Lastly, boarding schools are famous for their extracurricular activities. This is why a lot of students thrive in this kind of environment as they’re forced to discover new things that they like on their own.