Why international schools have grown in number

By Vivian Agba

In the recent years, international schools have increased be­cause more and more parents are taking their children to these schools. However, the secret behind international schools according to Hakki Aydin, an administrator at Galaxy International School is that children in international schools can access an educa­tion system which is applica­ble around the world. This is because the schools use an international curriculum.

“The Cambridge internation­al curriculum offered at most international schools is based on a holistic approach to education. It is a child-centred method where the teachers tailor their teaching method­ologies to suit the students in their class,” says Aydin.

He says international schools ensure children realise their full potential.Furthermore, Aydin says the content covered in an international curriculum ensures students develop a wide under­standing of the world around them and they attain the skills that will help them cope in life.“The international curriculum also ensures students use new terminologies and technologies.

The curriculum focuses on preparing children for the modern world so they can go on to become the entrepreneurs of the future,” he says. The director, Cambridge International Section, Michelle Omamtekei, says other than the broad curriculum offered by international schools, such schools also focus on the outstanding relationship between teachers and learners.

She says the relationship between teachers and students are nurtured in a small class environment. “Class sizes are kept small to meet each pupil’s needs and this enables teachers to cater to the specific needs of students and chart their progress,” explained Omamtekei.

Doreen Twehebwe, research fellow, Makerere Univer­sity, School of Public health, says parents prefer taking their children to interna­tional schools because they (schools) offer broad curricu­lum focusing more on skills than traditional schools that focus more on theoretical education, cram information and wait to sit for exams.

“International schools offer hands on skills that enable a child to think independently and be proactive in all as­pects of life,” says Twehebwe.

Most international schools put a lot of focus on co-curricular activities to nurture creative learners that grow into active members of society. Among these activi­ties include; debating clubs, music, dance and drama clubs, art and design clubs, sports and games among others.

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