Story :  Hana Borrowman   
Images : courtesy of Bangkok Patana School and British International School, Phuket
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For expatriate parents in Thailand the choice of educational curriculum for their precious potential-filled progeny is straightforward – they simply choose the system followed in their home country.

This certainly makes sense if the parents plan to return to their country of origin at any time or if the children plan to further their education there after school. Other parents, including those of mixed parentage or those internationally educated themselves, may base their choice on their own experiences or the educational path they pursued, or on availability, personal recommendations or reputations of the schools most easily accessible to them.

Whatever the final conclusion, the choice between the various school systems can present a mass of confusing information and it’s important to look at what each school offers individually, especially as many now use an amalgamation of systems, to make sure they cover all bases. Each system will also be interpreted by schools differently, though it will still essentially define many distinctive attributes, teaching style and even the ambience of the establishment itself.

International or Bilingual

There are over 100 international schools in Thailand, mostly based in Bangkok but with campuses spread as far and wide as Chiang Mai, Hua Hin and Hat Yai. English is predominant as the first language but instruction in Thai, French, German, Japanese and increasingly Chinese are also an option. Thai parents too now frequently opt to give their kids a foot-up on the career ladder by aiming for scholarships or enrolling their kids into Thai international schools - despite the costs.

The alternative for many is the rapid expansion of bilingual schools with over 200 such schools, both private and public currently operating in Thailand. Unlike international schools, bilingual schools still use the Thai curriculum. The Thai Ministry of Education recognises two types of bilingual schools. The English Program (EP) schools which use English as the medium of instruction for all subjects except Thai language and culture, social sciences and Thai law and The Mini English Program (MEP) which uses English as the medium of instruction for up to 50% of tuition time.

Unfortunately although the bilingual system is rapidly developing and helping to improve and uphold the standards of Thai education across the board, it still has some way to go before it can compete with the truly ‘international’ education system offered in schools elsewhere. However, for parents concerned about the significance of their children’s Thai heritage or cultural identity - wherever they hail from - it’s significant to note that both Thai cultural studies and the Thai language have to be studied in every school in Thailand by law. It is also worth remembering that in general, although relatively expensive, Thai international schools offer an excellent variety of options as well as a high standard of education extending way beyond the curriculum.

With just a few exceptions of schools specifically aimed at educating nationals of their particular country (including French, Swiss and Japanese) international schooling in Thailand is a multi-national affair. The majority therefore offer an education broadly following the British, American and/or International systems. What follows is a breakdown of what you can expect from each.

The British School System

In the British System primary school education is often divided into Infant (ages 4-7) and Junior (ages 7-11) and at the end of the Infant School pupils may or may not sit exams. At age 11 children enter the Secondary school system. The curriculum here is organised on the basis of five key stages leading up to GCSE’s and/or equivalent vocational qualifications such as the GNVQ, BTEC, DIDA etc.

The International General Certificate of Secondary Education (IGCSE) is offered by several British examining boards. Most popular overseas, however, is the programme offered by the University of Cambridge Local Examinations Syndicate. A wide range of topics are offered by individual schools and this certificate is internationally recognised. It is regarded as excellent preparation for the International Baccalaureate Program (IB – see below), but students have to obtain a minimum number of passes at acceptable grades.

Also, the British schooling system generally follows a policy in which all teachers take on pastoral care roles, attending to the mental and physical welfare of their pupils. This highly personal approach to each student’s welfare and development is often seen as an important part of an international school’s role when following the British system too.

The American School System

The subjects studied under the American system from Kindergarten through to High School are similar to the British system. Where the system differs is in the standardised national curriculum. As there is no national curriculum in the US, international schools following the American system use a curriculum based on subject matter standards recognised by an educational accreditation department in the US.

Students receive grades based on several factors such as tests and assessments, homework and projects. Graduation is based on a points system where students need to achieve a minimum number of credits in core subjects as well as a grade point average.

As well as the mandatory subjects studied, the US system also traditionally offers a wide variety of elective courses which commonly include subjects such as visual arts, performing arts, technology education, computers, athletics, publishing and foreign languages.

All overseas students wanting to get into a US college must sit Scholastic Aptitude Tests (SATs) or other college entrance examinations at whatever level the university demands.

If your child attends an American system school they will study for SATs, but as with other international schools they may also be offered the option of sitting ‘A’ levels and the increasingly popular IBs (see The International System section below).

Some schools also provide what are known as AP or Advanced Placement courses in a variety of different areas which are equivalent to the first year of university study.  

The International System

The International Baccalaureate Diploma is a rigorous pre-university course taken in the final two years of secondary school. It aims to fulfill the requirements of various national education systems, incorporating the elements of several countries. The program is available in English, French and Spanish.

Although the IB is recognised and welcomed at various universities throughout the world, it is extremely demanding. Only those students who can demonstrate significant academic achievement and a high level of motivation and commitment are usually selected for the Diploma. Therefore, it is useful if a school offers another option besides the IB. Parents are also advised to check with universities in their home countries (including Thailand) to see whether the IB is acceptable as a university entrance qualification.

Making the Right Choice

So rather than compromising your child’s education when living overseas there are a range of options available for expatriate parents looking to maintain high standards of education when re-locating, and many of these institutions uphold the standards of education required by international universities.

Obviously densely populated areas such as Bangkok provide the greatest choice for parents but the education market is a healthy one and international schools are increasingly throwing their net wider and further than before in a bid to entice more students to their campuses, and this translates to parents having more options when choosing their child’s school, and planning their future.