Wednesday, January 19, 2011

Education at What Price?

Interested expats all know about the state of the Cambodian education system in comparison to other more developed countries. An indication of what it is like is the fact that people of means send their children to private schools or even abroad.
At the beginning of the past school year, I had to make a choice where to send my Cambodian stepson. He had completed middle school (8th grade) in the U. S. with average grades; it goes without saying that we wanted to give him the best education available in Cambodia. Ideally, we were looking for a bi-lingual school. Being Khmer it makes sense that he should be able to read and write Khmer on an advanced level; being in the era of globalization with English the dominant language, we also wanted him to continue his education in English.

The public schools don’t enjoy much of a reputation and naturally don’t teach in English, although English is taught. I experienced first-hand with my two stepdaughters the level of knowledge they pass on or rather don’t pass on to their students. They had both completed middle school here when they came to the U. S. American high schools are not too demanding to begin with, but these two girls were pretty much lost there. Nevertheless, they both managed to obtain their high school diplomas there.

Numerous private high schools in Phnom Penh teach in English. Many, I don’t know exactly how many, are just elementary schools. Practically all of them have a very big minus in my mind. They do not employ native English speakers. If parents want their child to learn a foreign language it is best taught by a native speaker of that language, right? Well, many of those private schools may not have the funds for that. After some research I narrowed my search down to just a handful of high schools. Unfortunately, the best ones offer curriculums in English only. So I had to weigh whether it would be desirable for my stepson to have a decent English education but probably wouldn’t be able to write a decent letter or document in Khmer.

Anyway, here are the schools I contemplated:

The International School of Phnom Penh (ISPP)

This is clearly the top secondary education school in Cambodia. They offer the International Baccalaureate, which is recognized practically worldwide and opens admission to even the best colleges in the English-speaking world. They possess all the modern facilities a high school needs to have in this day and age. Needless to say, that the curriculum is very demanding and rigorous. I also do know about the IB first-hand as my own son entered the IB-program in the U. S., only to resign after just one semester. It was too strenuous for him, although he did have the brains for it.

All this excellent education comes at a price, of course. With registration, capitalization, tuition, etc. the annual amount parents would have to dole out is in the range of $15,000. That’s more than most normal colleges in the U. S. cost. Considering the cost and the fact they my stepson with his average grades wouldn’t probably cut it, and that this would only be good if he were to go to college abroad, I eliminated this school from my list.

Northbridge International School Cambodia (NISC)

What was said about the ISPP applies to this school as well, except that they don’t offer the IB. A few years back they were accredited for the Diploma Program but must have lost that in the intervening years. According to their website, though, they will most likely be a member for the next school year. Tuition fees, etc. are practically the same as at the ISSP, and for exactly the same reasons I eliminated that school too.

I am sure both are excellent schools and offer an outstanding Western education but they are both geared towards diplomatic and NGO personnel with the means to pay these kinds of fees.

Zaman International School

Zaman enjoys an excellent reputation among Cambodians. Many would like to send their children there if they could only afford it. This school has exactly what I was looking for: classes in both English and Khmer. 20 of the 40 weekly class-hours are taught in English. The Ministry of Education and an international education body accredit them (see their website). This institution comprises not only elementary and secondary education, but they have an outstanding university as well. Equipment and facilities are on a par with today’s requirements. High school graduates earn a Khmer diploma as well as a Zaman diploma, which is recognized by a number of colleges in English-speaking countries. So this would fit my bill, it appeared. The one drawback for me was that the level of my stepson’s Khmer is not sufficient to enter high school just yet. Registration, tuition, etc. run to about $3,500 a year, which would appear to be very reasonable under the circumstances. This school, however, was founded and is run by Turkish people. Although they profess to employ only native English-speakers for their English-language classes, I found out this is not quite true. Of the English-faculty staff, there are maybe two or three native speakers. Even the English teacher is Turkish. This is a big disadvantage. I heard that they had more native speakers originally, but seemed to have phased them out over the years; probably for cost reasons. Turkish teachers may be less expensive than say Brits or Americans. Other than that, being Turkish doesn’t mean that they are Muslim-oriented; they are an all-secular school. Classes, however, are not co-ed.

British International School

As opposed to all the other international schools this institution blooms in the dark, so to speak. They do not advertise, nor do they have a website. When asked why, we were told that they rely on word-of-mouth only, so as not be overwhelmed by wealthy Khmer who many a time think their money can buy the grades and the teachers’ goodwill in the face of the children’s bad behavior.

In short, they offer the English A-levels diploma, which is similar to the U. S. diploma, possibly a little more rigorous, but not quite as demanding as the IB; only native speakers, of course, all the modern equipment and facilities, as far as we could tell, so pretty much the same as the ISSP, and the NISC. At $6,500 a year not exactly a steal, but still considerably cheaper than the former two. I was rather tempted as I put great stock in European schools. I always think they are better when it comes to general knowledge. The U. S. system is probably better at the tertiary level.

Logos International School / Hope Schools

Logos is apparently an excellent teaching institution with everything that’s needed and equal to NISC in the quality of education they provide. However, it is faith-based and as an avowed atheist, I cannot send anyone to a school that starts the day with a prayer, has daily Bible studies, and teaches Intelligent Design. To their credit, though, they also teach Darwinism. Additionally, I don’t believe Christian schools have a place in Cambodia to try to convert mostly devout Buddhists to their faith through, although admittedly good, education. They do say they do not indoctrinate but they do want to convince people that only the Christian faith will make them better and happier people and that their salvation lies in a Christian life. It is not exactly cheap for a Christian school – around $4,000, considering that many Christian elementary schools in Cambodia are free. Here is a quote from their website that says it all:

“In the case of religion, enrollment may be censored when necessary in order to maintain the strong Christian culture of the School.”

Western International School

This is a Cambodian-run institution, the staff is Cambodian, and it seems the only appeal they have is that their tuition fees are downright cheap in comparison to the other schools – only about $1,000 per year. Although they offer a high school in only English, it is only part-time, so a student would only get part of an education. I later learned that many of them go to a public school as well. The impression I got was not too favorable, so I eventually ruled it out.

Golden Gate American School

This school has been around since 1996 and was founded by overseas Cambodians. One of their sons who obviously stayed here when his parents emigrated runs it. They offer kindergarten to high school, or K-12 as it is generally known. However, high school currently consists of one 9th grade of nine students with exactly two teachers who between them teach four subject classes. They hope that this 9th grade will become 10th grade next year, but the future is somewhat hazy if you take a closer look.

At around $5,000 a year, this school is there for the money it seems, even though I don’t doubt its teachers’ motivation and good intentions. The director seems to be a little out of his depth, though. One of the teachers also told me that most students go to a public school in the afternoon. Again, this demonstrated the contradiction in the schools pronouncements. They offer full-day classes. Everybody is free to come to their own judgment. I cannot recommend it.

In the end, I decided on Zaman school for the one and simple reason that they offer Khmer-language instruction as well. After all, an educated Cambodian must be able to speak, read, and write literate Khmer. What if he wants to make a career in his home country - which, incidentally, I ardently hope for? Where would Cambodia be in the future if all its elite were to emigrate? He can always take the exams for any diploma later on, or enter an international school at grade 11 or even 12, if he is so inclined and bright enough. Zaman might not be the best school in English-language classes but it is unique in its combination in Cambodia. Additionally, any foreigner who wants to study in another country usually needs to take an admission test like the SAT or ACT in the U. S. anyway, no matter which diploma he or she holds, except, for the most part, the IB-diploma. So for the time being, all options are still open for him.

20 comments:

James said...

I know some Khmers who send their kids to CIA School(on the road to Northbridge) because it is international with foreign teachers.

Not sure if it is only for younger age kids/grade school?

Anonymous said...

Northbridge International School Cambodia (NISC) is now also an IB school. This school is basically the same as ISPP now but with better enviorment surrounding. One of cambodia's biggest school.

Anonymous said...

CIA FIRST International School / CIAPP International School is indeed the best school if you compare quality and price. Khmer and American curriculum with strong focus on ICT / AoT education, English native speaker lecturers and German leadership, plenty of extra-curricular activities and a warm hearted environment are some of the strengths of this school which caters from K3 to G12.

Anonymous said...

Almost all the international schools in Phnom penh Offer very good service but most are over priced.
there is a new school in now in Phnom Penh called BSEC its's new and off town no pollution and that's the idea why it's not situated in the heart of the city. They offer special prices for Daycare, Kindergarten,adult and even primary. Although they are new it seems they know just what they are doing . The school is clean , safe and always ready to help. I just submitted my CV there hope they will take me.

IF YOU ARE AN EXPAT AND LOOKING FOR A JOB TRY THE SCHOOL THEY NEED STAFFS.

http://bigsecenter.weebly.com

FACEBOOK:
http://www.facebook.com/BSECSCHOOL

Anonymous said...

Western "International School" is GARBAGE. The Khmer staff are absolute bafoons, the teachers are treated like garbage and the staff are nasty - the security guard is an animal who dresses in army fatigues with jack boots and has been known to assault people on numerous occasions. They make the teachers pay to park their motorcycles (I've never seen that in my whole teaching career). The owners are the typical Khmer emigrant pieces of garbage who had the privilege to study at university in Canada and then - like so many others - returned to their own country to exploit their own people, serve up a garbage education, and conduct a shady business with no shame or desire to make positive change in their country.

KJE said...

4:09
You obviously are or were a teacher there so you observations are all the more important to parents who wish to send their children to an international school. You should try to get an article published in the Khmer version of the Phnom Penh Post.
I completely agree. My conclusion was that they were in for the money. Education was secondary. At the time I checked it out they did not employ one native English-speaker. Their standard is absolutely bottom-drawer.

Anonymous said...

Your best bet is to meet with the DOS/Academic Director/School Director: do they speak good English? Does the school check academic and police/criminal records?
If you have the funds, go with an IB-accredited school, nothing less. Mnay schools use teh word international' freely, without any justification, as a marketing ploy.It's also important to meet the person who would be teaching your child, assess them.

KJE said...

9:48
You are correct. There are maybe a handful of schools that deserve the attribute 'international'. Most of the other 'international' schools are highly dubious enterprises. I am really amazed that they all seem to find a parents willing to pay good money for no or a poor education.

Surely, the IB schools are the way to go but at a cost of $15,000 per year for a high school student the fee will in most cases be a major obstacle.

There are two schools that now offer preparatory classes for the SAT in grade 11 and 12 - Zaman and Cambodia International International Academy.

KJE said...

9:48
You are correct. There are maybe a handful of schools that deserve the attribute 'international'. Most of the other 'international' schools are highly dubious enterprises. I am really amazed that they all seem to find a parents willing to pay good money for no or a poor education.

Surely, the IB schools are the way to go but at a cost of $15,000 per year for a high school student the fee will in most cases be a major obstacle.

There are two schools that now offer preparatory classes for the SAT in grade 11 and 12 - Zaman and Cambodia International International Academy.

Anonymous said...

Hi, very interesting article about the schools in Cambodia. What are the contact details of the British International School? We are moving to Cambodia in March and I am looking for a school for my kids. I am very interested in the British International School, but if they don't have a website, where can I find the contact details? Thank you very much for your info!

KJE said...

9:17
The British International School is not British at all. The students can take a Cambridge administered test after 12th grade to obtain the A-levels.
The teachers are not native speakers either. They don't show a curriculum until after you registered your child and won't give out any information that would help you make a decision.I personally did not come away with a positive impression. I sent my step-son to CIA First, which at least has native English speakers and prepares students for the SAT in 12th grade.

Anonymous said...

I think parents want native English speaking teacher because they think that is the best. And many schools highlight their Native English speaking teachers.
But is it? First of all what is the perfect English? The one spoken by an American, a British or an Australian? Even an American from New York, Miami or Los Angeles have different dialects and pronunciations. So put yourself in the mind of the child student. An American teacher for one semester. Then they quit and they hire a British. Next year he has an Australian teacher. So which is the English I should learn an speak, he asks? Students are confused. And it is highly unlikely that the Asian student will ever speak English without an accent. The best teachers are probably Asian teachers from other Asian countries that Do speak very good English. Because that is the English pronunciation that the Khmer child will most likely end up learning and pronouncing. Yet these qualified Asian teachers appear to have problems being hired, since the schools truly prefer native English speaking teachers.

KJE said...

10:23
I can only agree in part. You are certainly right about the English spoken by different English speaking nationalities. Americans, however, nowadays have a pretty much uniform pronunciation due to national TV (as linguists found out). Especially teachers mostly speak a non-accented American English. What you refer to are regular people who speak the way they heard and learned the language from their parents and on the street.
People here look for native English speakers believing that they do speak and teach English grammatically correctly. In my mind it has nothing to do with accents but rather with the language as it's written.

Asian teachers who speak very good, even excellent, English are still prone to mistakes; nevertheless, they would surely be qualified. However, you hardly get the really good ones in Cambodia as the pay is rather moderate. They earn more in Vietnam and China.

Anonymous said...

Hi, this is TPT a Cambodian.

I have a few kids whose ages reach K and Primary education and I had tried to do some research on some schools in Phnom Penh based on my affordability. Those schools include Footprint, USA, Heritage, British International School, Hello American, etc. They have their own strengths and weaknesses, and I do not wish to detail them in here. In general, the more you pay, the better quality you get. To me, I decided to send my kids to PORTOR SCHOOL International, whose tuition is almost as high as Heritage's, but I paid for my kids on a 50% discount basis which means it's real low. As a new kindergarten school in town, English is the only language taught there by Philipinos and native English speaking teachers. Staying there for about half a year, my kids could speak, write and respond in common and everyday English. I think it's a good school.

Anonymous said...

It's really not so 'the more you pay the better quality of education you get'.........

Anonymous said...

My children are attending to one school mentioned above and preparing for IGCSE examinations. They told me they need extra support for Chemistry, Physics and Biology, since the test will be tough.I tried with a home tutor and did not give much results. Recently I have found Richmondz Center for Excellence (www.richmondz.com) for tuition and it is unbelievably productive. They have the best native teachers to cater the child's need. They offer tuition for all Cambridge and IB subjects. facility is safe and decent.

Anonymous said...

Does anybody have feedback on Life international Christan School in Sihanoukville?

Anonymous said...

I seriously wonder how Chemistry, Biology, Physics, Mathematics taught by native English speaker would be better received than one taught by a non native who possesses good command over the subject

KJE said...

I am sure it wouldn't. The point in the article was that so-called international schools that teach in English aren't well served by employing non-native English speakers unless these have an excellent command of the language; unfortunately, many of those Khmer English teachers don't.

Anon said...

I completely agree with u as a student myself there. The school's system is corrupt to the very core and it is a fact that many are displeased but I can tell u this - the education is actually quite okay. The school and office workers there do not have the leisure to care about a students well being nor they will offer a hand to those in need. I have been in situations where Madame abuses her power as "the school owner" , handles difficult situations immaturely and irrationally and is biased. A great example was when she denied me of my human rights. I was not allowed to give her my opinion on the school nor I was allowed to be human. I, myself as a teenager with raging hormones, is expected to be loud and irrational but in that situation, I was composed and calm whereas she shouted at me, ridiculed my family by saying "I do not know what kind of Khmer discipline you were raised up in" , brought my friends into the matter and she has the audacity to expect an apology from me?
Many teachers have left the school and more are already planning to in the future. In the whole history of this school, only 2 students actually finish their education in BISPP from Montessori to grade 13.
It's unfair. Everything about this is unfair.

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