Hello there. I'm trying to gather information and opinions on affordable and decent preschools (schools that teach up to grade 12) in Pattaya. We've checked out several of them on different price levels and found Satit the most interesting so far.

 

I wonder if any of you has experience with Burapha Best, Aksorn or even other smaller decent private schools (or government schools if they exist). I'm interested in both Thai programmes with adequate English classes and affordable English programmes. It'd be great if you could share their prices too.

 

Thanks for your input.

I am honestly not sure about the criteria that you are using in the school selection process, but the one's that you mention are generally considered among the worst available choices, and certainly are  not suitable for children of western parent(s). Pre-school is before grade/year 1. The best "affordable" pre-school of which I am aware is Hastins on Soi Siam CC. My kids went there, but that was several years ago, but it is/was very well run and affordable. As far as elementary school (grades 1 to 6), you should look at Maryvitt and Phoenix, both of which, while not great, are in a much higher level than Satit, Best and Askorn. Take some time to explore the available options carefully -- you are floundering thus far. 

The question is if the teachers are farangs or Philippinos. Would you send your kids to the Philippines for education? The price hike for real western education is of the magnitude sending them out or leaving the country becomes a viable option.

58 minutes ago, DrTuner said:

The question is if the teachers are farangs or Philippinos. Would you send your kids to the Philippines for education? The price hike for real western education is of the magnitude sending them out or leaving the country becomes a viable option.

That a school uses Philippines national rather than native English speaking teaches to teach English classes (or classes taught in English) is one consideration, but no the only and perhaps not the most important factor in identifying a "good" quality school. The overall quality of the teaching staff, many/most who may be Thai, the overall curriculum and its emphasis on core subjects, the schools policy on and enforcement of discipline, development of necessary skills and critical thinking, and the necessary facilities for a good overall education, all of which are seriously lacking/inadequate in most Thai schools and certainly in the schools mentioned by the OP.  Some Thai schools use Thai teachers to teach English, which is grossly inadequate and unacceptable. Some schools try to improve on that by using Philippinos to offer some resemblance to native English speaking at an "affordable" price. It is a poor substitute for native English speakers teaching English, but it keeps the school fees low/affordable. That a school uses Philippinos to teach English is a symptom of a bigger problem -- the school is looking for the cheapest ways (substandard) to fill educational requirements; it is cutting corners in an unacceptable way. And this will extend into other areas of the education services offered -- poorly qualified Thai teachers, poor facilities and time spent on "fluff" rather that a focus on core educational subject and providing the facilities and equipment for kids to learn and succeed in an evolving and highly technical and competitive world. They will be fine maids, taxi drivers, automobile mechanics and sales clerks, but not prepared for much more. And they will be totally unprepared for any higher education taught in English, so education, and/or living and working outside Thailand will not be a viable option. If that is what you want for your children then schools like Satit will serve you very well.  For many Thais that is acceptable, because it is far better than the education offered by the Thai government schools, which is the alternative and the standard by which education is measured. But, in relation to the education offered in the west, it is grossly inadequate and unacceptable for any western parents that want a reasonable education for their children. Many parents delude themselves into thinking that such schools offer an "acceptable" education, but it does not, not even close. Acceptable education in Thailand by any western standard is expensive, and that is unfortunately the reality. And thinking (convincing yourself) otherwise does not change this fact. Thailand ranks close to the bottom internationally for the education it offers, and the Thai private schools, even with an "English program", offer an educational experience that is not significantly better. But, there is some significant difference in the quality of education offered by the Thai private schools, and parents should take the time to consider and evaluate the available options and choose wisely among them. That may include English taught by Philippinos if that is the best you can find/afford.  Good luck to all parents looking for a good school for their children in Thailand -- you will need it and more....

Thank you for your input, guys. We did like Maryvit a lot, but they recommended that our child starts preschool elsewhere until her Thai improves. My problem with Hastins is that the language of education is English only. We need a balance. But, I'll take your advice and keep looking.

 

 

8 hours ago, bangkokbabe said:

Thank you for your input, guys. We did like Maryvit a lot, but they recommended that our child starts preschool elsewhere until her Thai improves. My problem with Hastins is that the language of education is English only. We need a balance. But, I'll take your advice and keep looking.

 

 

You really don't need a "balance". If the child lives in Thailand, he/she will get more then enough exposure to Thai. What he/she will not get is adequate exposure to English -- it can IMO never be too much. As I recall, Hastins is/was 70/30 English/Thai, which is more than enough Thai -- if he/she has Thai relatives/friends, they will necessarily learn Thai. My kids went to Hastins and now attend an International School. They have 1 hour of Thai each week as mandated by the Thai Ministry of Education. They also get 2 hours of private Thai instruction with a Thai teacher on Saturday mornings (their mom's desire, not mine). Their English is excellent and their Thai is certainly adequate, which is fine with me, and certainly better than the other way around. And if they had gone to a Thai "English Program" school after Hastins, I am sure that their Thai would be stronger than it is now and that their English would be weaker, which for me, would be a serious problem and a very troublesome situation.  I am not sure why you think that you need a "balance", but that is the root of your problem (and potentially your child's problem also) and needs to be carefully considered/reconsidered ("changed") before you make a serious mistake in the selection of a school for your child. Many parents are frustrated because their child's English is not adequate for a good International School or English program school without some special English training. I do not see the opposite as a problem, but rather as a fortunate situation -- continue your child's education in English (primarily or exclusively), she will be eternally grateful later in his/her life. Hastin is probably a very good place to start.