Parent's Review of Utama International School in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

What is the name of your child's school? (Please report on one school per survey.)

Utama International School

In what town or city is this school located?

Kuala Lumpur

How would you describe this school? (i.e. American, British, International, Local, etc.)

British but bent toward local

What grade levels are represented at this school?

nursery to secondary

How do most children get to school everyday? (bus, train, walk, etc.)

Most of them by car or by the school bus

How would you describe the facilities at this school? What extra-curricular activities are available?

Old tables and chairs that you see at food streets are used as classroom furniture. Some classrooms look like converted storerooms. School quite big but priority seems to be for school owners' space rather than students'. No school hall/gym, so activities always held at school foyer. No proper system at school canteen. And the canteen lady is rude to students.

What has this school done to help your child transition from the curriculum in your home country into the curriculum in your new country? Are there programs to prepare your child for repatriation?

Though it is supposed to be British curriculum, but it seems more local content taught and taken from the local curriculum. Some teachers also teach at the local school which share the same premise with the international school. They just 'changed' the principal, who was the principal some time before and related to the owner of school.....so....

How would you describe the social activities available for parents through this school? Are there parent-teacher organizations?

No such opportunity actually. During the so-called parent-teacher meeting, parents only discuss only on students' academic progress with teachers, other issues always need to be reported via a different channel which is almost non-existent. No parents' association that enable parents to help in shaping the school. So you have to accept whatever the school says. No considerations for compromise or suggestions.

What advice would you give to someone considering enrolling their child in this school?

If you can accept local teachers, who many are not so competent in English communication and understand basic child psychology, then by all means. If not, brace yourself for an "interesting" experience for your child. Although, nothing much can be said about other schools, Utama school needs to improve in many areas. For one, their website need a revamp. This is the ICT age....if you can't have simple info put up, you wonder what info your children get from the school.

William Russell
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William Russell

William Russell's private medical insurance will cover you and your family wherever you may be. Whether you need primary care or complex surgery, you'll have access to the best hospitals & doctors available. Unlike some insurers, we also include medical evacuation and mental health cover in our plans (except SilverLite). Get a quote from our partner, William Russell.
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