Resources

Choosing a School in Malaysia: A Practical Checklist

When comparing schools in Malaysia, check five things: that the school is registered with the Ministry of Education (KPM), which curriculum and exam boards it uses, what the fees include and exclude, how your child will be placed, and what you see on a visit. Ask every school the same questions.

Download or view as PDF · Open the PDF in your browser · Download

1. Is the school registered?

Private and international schools in Malaysia are registered with the Ministry of Education (Kementerian Pendidikan Malaysia, KPM). Ask for the school’s registration number and check that the name matches. Rochford’s KPM registration number is AUB2009, shown in the footer of every page of this site.

2. Which curriculum and exam boards?

“IGCSE” is not one exam: several boards offer it. Ask which board sets each subject’s exams, and whether your child can sit them at the school. Rochford’s offers Pearson Edexcel and OxfordAQA International GCSEs; our IGCSE guide explains who regulates UK exams and how the boards compare.

3. What do the fees actually include?

Is the fee per term or per year, and how many terms are there?
Are registration, deposit, resources, application or international-student fees extra?
Are books, uniforms, transport, meals, trips and external exam fees included?
What is the refund and withdrawal policy, in writing?

Compare the same total for each school. Our fees page shows how we compare tuition with other Ipoh schools, with the dates we checked.

4. How will my child be placed?

Ask whether placement is by age or by assessment, and what happens if your child is ahead or behind in one subject. For transfers from national or vernacular schools, ask how language and gaps are supported.

5. Questions to ask on a visit

Who will teach my child, and how many students are in a class?
How will I see my child’s progress, and how often?
What support is there for children who learn differently?
What are the school hours and is transport available?
Can I see a written offer with every fee listed before I commit?

We are happy to answer every one of these. Book a visit or contact us.

Common questions

How do I check a private school is licensed in Malaysia?

Ask the school for its Ministry of Education (KPM) registration number and confirm the registered name matches. Rochford’s KPM registration number is AUB2009.

Is IGCSE one exam board?

No. Several exam boards offer International GCSEs. Rochford’s offers Pearson Edexcel and OxfordAQA.

What should I compare between school fees?

Compare the total cost including registration, deposits, resources, books, uniforms, transport and external exam fees, not only the tuition figure.

Rochford's International School by Rochford's Education · KPM registration no. AUB2009 · contact@rochfords.edu.my · +60 10-253 9817 · https://rochfords.edu.my/resources/choosing-a-school/