In recent years, a new option has emerged for parents in countries like China, Japan, and South Korea who wish to send their school-aged children abroad for education: Malaysia. According to data from the Malaysian Ministry of Education, the number of international students increased by 42% from 2022 to 2024, reaching 30,000 students, including approximately 8,000 from China, 4,000 from South Korea, and 3,000 from Japan.
At the same time, the number of international schools in Malaysia has steadily grown from 160 in 2019 to 227 in 2024.
When it comes to studying in Malaysia, people generally think of international schools in the Klang Valley area near the capital Kuala Lumpur.
However, there is a growing focus on international students in the southern state of Johor in Malaysia. Currently, Johor has 33 international schools with over 11,000 students. Additionally, in the northern state of Penang, the number of international schools has doubled over the past decade, reaching 12 schools. This growth is partly due to Penang’s continuous development in the semiconductor and electronics industries, attracting talent from East Asia.
Since 2004, Malaysia has relaxed restrictions on entry to international schools, making it an affordable study destination over the past two decades, outside popular choices like Singapore or Australia.
International schools in Malaysia are generally classified into four tiers based on reputation, tuition fees, and academic performance. Elite schools like Marlborough College Malaysia, Alice Smith School, and the International School of Kuala Lumpur are considered first-tier schools, providing top-notch curriculum, teachers, and pathways to university.
Tuition for full boarding at top-tier schools is around $57,500. On the other hand, tuition at fourth-tier boarding schools is very cost-effective; the average tuition at a private school in Johor is $6,273, which is 30% of the fees in neighboring Singapore.
Today, Malaysia has become a popular choice for parents in East Asia, not only due to its low tuition fees but also because of its comprehensive growth environment, English-speaking environment, diverse curriculum, and cultural familiarity.
According to a report by Nikkei News, Steven Zheng, the managing director of Sunway International Schools, stated that Malaysia has its “geopolitical advantages” including political stability, good international relations, a strategic location in Southeast Asia, and multiculturalism.
Anna Gu, an entrepreneur from Guangzhou, shared her experience of sending her son Jimmy to a school in Malaysia six years ago when he was 9 years old. She valued the practical learning and self-expression emphasized at the international school, providing a more balanced educational environment for her child. Jimmy is now 15 years old.
Gu mentioned that compared to China, Malaysia offers better educational quality with less pressure, but not lower standards.
Moreover, the cost of living in Malaysia is relatively affordable. Gu stated, “The cost of living in Malaysia is similar to Guangzhou, if not lower. Life is less stressful, the weather is sunny, and there are plenty of Chinese communities.”
When sending their children overseas for education, parents also worry about social atmosphere and safety. A South Korean parent, Mrs. Kim, mentioned feeling safer in Malaysia.
Amid the high-pressure school environment in mainland China, as reported by the “2023 Chinese Youth Suicide Report,” the number of teenage suicides in China reached 110,000 in just one year in 2023.
In response to these pressures, high schools in various parts of China have gradually implemented a two-day weekend policy. However, the “Caixin” media outlet reported that the actual implementation still faces challenges, especially for high school seniors preparing for the college entrance exam. Many high school seniors continue to attend weekend exams, classes, and self-study sessions.
A parent from Hunan remarked, “Of course, you can follow the country’s call not to attend cram schools and give your child a happy childhood. But when all classmates are attending cram schools on weekends, how do you know the teacher won’t cover part of the content there? Everyone is studying on weekends; can you afford not to?”
Mr. Li, who works in the high school tutoring industry, said, “When taking the college entrance exam in China, you cannot escape from scores and cram schools.”
Now, more Chinese parents are refusing to let their children endure abnormal academic pressure. For many, going to Malaysia seems like a cost-effective choice.