Thailand a bright spot for regional education
Schools look to profit amid parent demands
Low tuitions and high standards at schools should make Thailand the regional hub for education and attract students from Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar and Vietnam.
Thailand has the potential to become a regional hub for education particularly among students from Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, and Vietnam because of its comparatively low tuition fees and high-quality international schools, according to education experts.
Affluent families from countries in the Mekong sub-region and China are now seeking overseas education for their children, with Thailand high on their list.
Thailand is a friendly place, is centrally located and easily accessible, and has a variety of curricula on offer -- potentially making Thailand a hub for international education.
The number of foreign students enrolled in Thailand's international schools has steadily increased in the last few years with the trend likely to continue.
China, Myanmar and Laos are big markets for Thai institutions because these countries still lack quality international schools. Thailand now has more than 170 international schools nationwide, the highest number in Southeast Asia.
Not only are more foreign students from neighbouring countries set to enrol in Thai international schools, but such schools are now admitting more Thai students because of the country's low birth rate, meaning parents can afford to spend more on the the fewer children they have, including on education.
Thai parents now only have one or two children, so they can look for the schools which provide the best primary education for their kids, and they are willing to spend more money to guarantee a bright future for them.
At present, the % of foreign nationals at international schools is low but this proportion is expected to rise dramatically within five years, with some schools planning to offer boarding facilities by that time.
Tuition fees for Thailand's international schools are cheaper than those of Malaysia and Singapore, while the standard of education at a Thai international schools is as high as those of the UK or the US.
Therefore, when compared to sending children to a UK boarding school where fees are 50% more expensive, Thailand's international schools come across as great value for money.
Mr Wu said Bromsgrove last year saw its Mandarin-speaking student intake go up. There are over 10 Chinese students studying at the school and that number is likely to grow.
A recent survey found 60% of students in Thailand want to study on international programmes. However only a fraction, at 3%, are usually accepted to do so.
HOD Commerce and Examination Incharge (Secondary and Senior Secondary)
6 年I have already taught few Thai students in my previous school and those students were really hardworking. I would be interested in case if I get an offer to teach the Thai students in future.
International Education
7 年Indeed. There is much more room for growth not just for international schools but also for high quality bilingual schools which offer an international programme. While the fees charged by most international schools are reasonable, many Thai parents are still not able to afford it. So good quality bilingual schools, which usually charges lower fees, can offer an affordable international programme and thus play a crucial role in allowing more students to access a quality programme. International schools are indeed seeing more interest from Chinese students. We see high demand for our our Chinese syllabuses. It's common for me to see Chinese teachers and learners when I visit schools now as compared to 5 years ago. Koh Khun Krap and 谢谢。