Local or international school: Which way?

By Owen Wagabaza

Ten years ago, chances of finding an international school in Uganda were minimal, but not anymore. With Uganda’s economy stabilising and people’s disposable income increasing, the number of international schools has been growing steadily.

Currently, there are over 17 international schools in Uganda, with about 3,000 students.

The latest entrant on the Ugandan market is GEMS Cambridge International School, which opened its first Ugandan campus in September last year. It educates 130,000 students from over 150 nationalities.

Is international schooling worth it?

Unlike in the past where international schools were a preserve of expatriate families, today more local parents are enrolling their children in them. Research has shown that enrollment of local students in international schools is almost equal or even more than that of foreign learners.

Below are the pros and cons of international and local schools. Generally, international schools are expensive, with some charging as much as $4,000 (about sh10m) a year, compared to the local schools at about sh3m a year.

Moses Ndifuna, an education consultant, explains that expatriate parents “are often privileged with a comprehensive relocation package and may, therefore, not feel the pinch, but parents who pay out of their pockets may do so.” He says this results in undue pressure on the child and may thus affect performance.

Compared to local schools international schools have smaller classes, which enables the teacher to give each learner adequate attention. “A class in an international school may have between 15 and 20 students, compared to 100 in a local school,” Ndifuna says. With local schools having large numbers, the facilities may not be adequate.

The international schools also attract students from diverse cultures. This gives learners a chance to interact with and learn from others from diverse cultures.

According to Rachael Kabareeba, a counselling psychologist, such a situation grooms a child to be tolerant, respectful and appreciate different cultures.

On the other hand, chances are high that children who attend local schools will learn and understand the customs and cultures of their country better than those in international schools.

International schools provide quality, all- round education that identifies and nurtures an individual’s talent and academic capabilities and promotes life-skills, as opposed to drilling learners to pass examinations in local schools.

Also, most international schools are defined by their curriculum. In Uganda, for example, most international schools offer international curricular such as the Cambridge International Examinations, which broadens the students’ chances of joining any university in the world.

Most students in international schools come from affluent families. Such children tend to grow up without an understanding of the social disparities and may grow up to become inconsiderate. “They may also end up being detached from reality,” Kabareebe says.

International schools, being a haven for families that are often relocating, the students have to cope with losing friends, which takes an emotional toll on them. “Some students may react to such a situation in an adverse manner and may display extreme anxiety or become aggressive, which may affect their education,” Kabareebe explains. For local schools, many times the students get to keep their friends for a longer period.