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Overview of Education

Malaysia has a well-developed and diverse education system with options to suit different needs, budgets and languages. Schooling is compulsory for Malaysian children from ages 6 to 12 (primary level), but expat families are free to choose among several pathways.

The government runs a network of public schools that teach mainly in Malay, with English as a second language. There are also private schools, including many international schools offering British, American, Australian, IB etc. Fees and teaching styles vary widely.

Homeschooling is becoming more popular, especially amongst parents who prefer alternative educational styles such as Montessori or a more faith centred education. Some expat families also choose it to maintain continuity with their home country’s curriculum.

Private tutoring is also very common and easy to find, from one-to-one lessons to specialist centres for languages, maths or exam preparation.

Most large cities have a good selection of schools and learning centres, while smaller towns may have fewer international options but still offer local schools and tutoring.

You can find more information on the formal schooling system on the government website here.

 

International Schools (Private)

Malaysia has a large number of international schools, especially in Kuala Lumpur, Putrajaya, Cyberjaya and Johor. They offer British, American, Australian, IB and other curricula taught mainly in English. These schools tend to have modern facilities, smaller class sizes and a wide range of extracurricular activities.

Fees vary widely but are generally much lower than in Western countries.

Education Destination Malaysia is an excellent resource for finding more information on international schooling options, as well as filtering schools by state, education level and curriculum.

You can visit the site for more information here.


Local Schools (Public)

Public schools in Malaysia are run by the government and teach mainly in Malay, with English taught as a second language. They follow the national curriculum and are free or very low-cost for Malaysian citizens.
 
Foreigners can enrol but must pay higher fees and be prepared for classes mainly in Malay. Which can potentially cause challenges not only due to the language barrier but also the cultural differences in the schools.
 

Homeschooling

Homeschooling is becoming more popular, especially amongst parents who prefer alternative educational styles such as Montessori or a more faith centred education. Some expat families choose this option to continue their home country’s curriculum or for greater flexibility.
 
Support groups exist in larger cities to help homeschooling families connect.
 
If you’re considering homeschooling, Cyberjaya and Putrajaya have a strong community of homeschoolers. Making them an excellent location for families planning to take this route.
 

Private tutoring 

Private tutoring is widely available in Malaysia for almost every subject and level. You can find one-on-one tutors, small group classes, or specialist tuition centres for languages, maths, science, exam prep and music.

Rates are generally affordable, and many tutors speak English.

 

 

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