Do Int'l Schools Have Scholarships For Super Smart Thai Kids?

[Nepal4me]

My niece is a really smart 13 year old. For her first year of high school, I put her in a "good" Thai school in Nakon Sawon. All in, it's about 50,000 baht per year including room, board, books, spending money, tuition etc. She had the best marks in her local school in her home province prior to high school so instead of having her continue in a "not so good" local Thai countryside high school, we all agreed for her to go to Nakon Sawan. This is a much better school and she's very happy there.

Out of 350 students in her grade last term, her first in her new school she was number one with almost a perfect 100% average over all her courses. She really is a brainy and well adjusted nice kid. I want to give her opportunities in life that she would otherwise not have so I'd like to put her in a really good school like an int'l school here in BKK but I don't want to pay the 500K baht per year.

I wonder if the Thai school system have a way (scholarship system???) to help really brainy rural kids from families with little money to get a higher education? Maybe that's asking a lot but I thought I'd ask.

[slapout]

Why would you expect any help, finance wise, for the number 1 student in a class of 350, 13 year old students? Granted she may be a gifted student, in which case you and the rest of the family can encourage her to read texts outside of the required subjects. I do not have a answer to your question (International school scholarship) but there are several Thai government programs to provide gifted students financial help in their continued education. This includes education abroad. I know some International schools can offer reduced tuition fees for students who they feel will make a positive contribution to their programs. She does sound like she may fit the gifted group, (P sat are one way of starting) etc, good luck

[tony03]

I don't know of any scholarships offered by individual schools or the government, however, the really good international schools are more like 500K per semester, not per year.

[YoungNRich12]

You should consider the social cost of her attending one of these schools. Where is she going to live in Bangkok? Who is going to take care of her? How will she get to school? Will no longer being number one in her class bother her?... Sometimes its better to be a big fish in a small pond than just another fish.

[wolf5370]

Why an international? Good private Thai/bilingual school is a much cheaper option and will give her better Thai contacts as she gets older. With good grades, she can get into the best universities in Thailand AND (regardless of what some unknowing guessers seem to think here) are accepted in universities abroad too. She will feel much happier I would suggest in such a school as the populace is mostly Thai as are the teachers - an EP program would give her some (most/all depending on school) lessons in English by native speakers. Thai school prices are regulated and limited by Thai Govt (not so international schools) - so is unlikely to be more than 100k a year for the best of them.

Edited November 1, 2009 by wolf5370

[Nepal4me]

Why would you expect any help, finance wise, for the number 1 student in a class of 350, 13 year old students? Granted she may be a gifted student, in which case you and the rest of the family can encourage her to read texts outside of the required subjects. I do not have a answer to your question (International school scholarship) but there are several Thai government programs to provide gifted students financial help in their continued education. This includes education abroad. I know some International schools can offer reduced tuition fees for students who they feel will make a positive contribution to their programs. She does sound like she may fit the gifted group, (P sat are one way of starting) etc, good luck

I don't really expect anything. I am just posing the question. Obviously it would be good for Thailand if their gifted native sons and daughters are able to gain higher education so logically they should have a system in place to help the poor/gifted. Equally obviously, Thailand doesn't have a great track record for educating their youth.

You should consider the social cost of her attending one of these schools. Where is she going to live in Bangkok? Who is going to take care of her? How will she get to school? Will no longer being number one in her class bother her?... Sometimes its better to be a big fish in a small pond than just another fish.

Sadly a big fish in that small pond will not really prepare her with appropriate English skills. She will have enough English skills to attend English speaking Uni but not fully fluent. I don't think being the top student is really that great, it means you are the person the school looks to to try to bring up the level of the other kids. It is better for her to see other gifted students that will pull her along rather than her being the puller. So to speak.

She could live with us in BKK and we would make appropriate arrangements to get to school. My wife (her aunt) has a great and close relationship with her, as do I.

[rixalex]

Why an international? Good private Thai/bilingual school is a much cheaper option and will give her better Thai contacts as she gets older. With good grades, she can get into the best universities in Thailand AND (regardless of what some unknowing guessers seem to think here) are accepted in universities abroad too. She will feel much happier I would suggest in such a school as the populace is mostly Thai as are the teachers - an EP program would give her some (most/all depending on school) lessons in English by native speakers. Thai school prices are regulated and limited by Thai Govt (not so international schools) - so is unlikely to be more than 100k a year for the best of them.

Echo all of that. I would say that the super-expensive international schools the OP speaks of are of more value if the child is average academically. If you are dealing with a young genius, i think she'll do just as well in the type of school that wolf describes.

At the end of the day, most learning comes from the children themselves, rather than the teachers, in my opinion.

[Nepal4me]

Why an international? Good private Thai/bilingual school is a much cheaper option and will give her better Thai contacts as she gets older. With good grades, she can get into the best universities in Thailand AND (regardless of what some unknowing guessers seem to think here) are accepted in universities abroad too. She will feel much happier I would suggest in such a school as the populace is mostly Thai as are the teachers - an EP program would give her some (most/all depending on school) lessons in English by native speakers. Thai school prices are regulated and limited by Thai Govt (not so international schools) - so is unlikely to be more than 100k a year for the best of them.

Echo all of that. I would say that the super-expensive international schools the OP speaks of are of more value if the child is average academically. If you are dealing with a young genius, i think she'll do just as well in the type of school that wolf describes.

At the end of the day, most learning comes from the children themselves, rather than the teachers, in my opinion.

Yes, a Thai/Eng bilingual school would probably also be appropriate. That is a good option to look into here in BKK.

My other question doesn't seem to be addressed so far. That is are there programs by the gov't for smart kids that don't have options like families with money? In this case she's lucky because her aunt married a falang, which has opened options for her but I still wonder about Thai programs for the gifted.

I'm not certain she's at the level to qualify for any gov't program, I'm just curious.

[highlander76]

Nepal4me maybe you should ask the mods to move your op to the teaching forum you might more info there

[Ijustwannateach]

I agree. Done.

[Ijustwannateach]

My thoughts on the matter:

The international schools are, as you say, very expensive. They are also very selective- since only a few % of their students *can* be Thai, the ones that get in either have to be VERY smart anyway or pay a LOT of money.

Furthermore, especially at the lower grades, I see little evidence of programmes aimed at gifted students. It's a bit of a shame, considering how much they cost.

I agree with the other posters that say she's better off in the top end of the Thai schools- if she's getting good academic attention there- than in an international school system where she will be 'one of the masses' and also culturally handicapped for a time because of language.

[Mario2008]

Many Thai companies have scholarships for students and there are a few foundations. However, they will not pay for a intenational school and you seem to be able to afford a normal Thai school.

If teachers are interested we can make a list of where students can apply for a scholarship as pinned topic.

[Nepal4me]

Many Thai companies have scholarships for students and there are a few foundations. However, they will not pay for a intenational school and you seem to be able to afford a normal Thai school.

If teachers are interested we can make a list of where students can apply for a scholarship as pinned topic.

A list of places to apply for a scholarship as a pinned thread would be great. I and I'm sure others would love to know of these companies and foundations.

[Maizefarmer]

The Thai gov runs a whole bunch of programs for gifted students - this is info that should be obtainable from the school or educational authrorities.

While the gov does indeed regulate state school fees, there are a few gov schools in Bangkok that are as hard and as expensive to get into as are the international schools - because of corruption in the system.

International schools offer better faciliies, smaller class sizes and more course oppurtunity - which collectively I guess can be argued to be a better education (a discussion for another time ....), but for a gifted student of the caliber the OP describes, I don't believe attendence at a private/international school is going to up their chances later of getting a good place at a good Uni, like Chula for example.

Students of the caliber the OP is describing get into uni's like Chula on the basis of demonstrated academic ability i.e. their academic track record is so blatently and obviously what it is, that it becomes impossible to deny them a place and give it to someone who has "bought" their placement.

I do not believe a well adjusted student with the academic performance the OP has described, is going to be at a disadvantage - now or later for having attended a state school versus a private school.

It certainly will not affect their chances of getting into a Uni like Chula - and with performance like the OP claims, they will be able to choose from any one of many sponsorship/scholarship programs that are in place (both state and private funded) to assist capable students of limited financial means.

[highlander76]

Many Thai companies have scholarships for students and there are a few foundations. However, they will not pay for a intenational school and you seem to be able to afford a normal Thai school.

If teachers are interested we can make a list of where students can apply for a scholarship as pinned topic.

Not a teacher Mario2008 but I think it would be great to have this info pinned many of us here on thaivisa have large families ,out of my extended family I would say two girls show signs that with the right school they could excell at anything the all boys have been spoiled rotten over the years some of the parents have paid a lot of money to get them into the better schools what a waste of money just because they are boys

[Scott]

There is a difference in how boys and girls learn. Boys have a lot more trouble sitting quietly listening to a lecture--they tend to be more active and experiencial. Most educational systems don't take this into account and the Thai system most certainly doesn't.

[Scott]

Sorry. I am getting off-topic. We need to know about scholarship opportunities for gifted students.

[wolf5370]

The Thai gov runs a whole bunch of programs for gifted students - this is info that should be obtainable from the school or educational authrorities.

While the gov does indeed regulate state school fees, there are a few gov schools in Bangkok that are as hard and as expensive to get into as are the international schools - because of corruption in the system.

International schools offer better faciliies, smaller class sizes and more course oppurtunity - which collectively I guess can be argued to be a better education (a discussion for another time ....), but for a gifted student of the caliber the OP describes, I don't believe attendence at a private/international school is going to up their chances later of getting a good place at a good Uni, like Chula for example.

Students of the caliber the OP is describing get into uni's like Chula on the basis of demonstrated academic ability i.e. their academic track record is so blatently and obviously what it is, that it becomes impossible to deny them a place and give it to someone who has "bought" their placement.

I do not believe a well adjusted student with the academic performance the OP has described, is going to be at a disadvantage - now or later for having attended a state school versus a private school.

It certainly will not affect their chances of getting into a Uni like Chula - and with performance like the OP claims, they will be able to choose from any one of many sponsorship/scholarship programs that are in place (both state and private funded) to assist capable students of limited financial means.

Class sizes aren't always large, especially in EP's - my two girls have class sizes of 15 and 16 inclusive (two separate years). Also, the problem with state schools is the teaching quality - and yes this does depend on the school of course - however smart she is, if the teachers are poor, she will only excel locally but may well be held back nationally. This is where private schools help - bilingual also has obvious advantages too. Private schools can also usually afford native English speakers for language lessons (and believe me it makes a difference - Thai English language teachers tend to teach in Thai, so modeling is almost non existent - grammars not much use if you can't speak or understand the language audibly).

[wolf5370]

There is a difference in how boys and girls learn. Boys have a lot more trouble sitting quietly listening to a lecture--they tend to be more active and experiencial. Most educational systems don't take this into account and the Thai system most certainly doesn't.

There are non-coed (single gender) schools, such as my girls' school.

[Nepal4me]

The Thai gov runs a whole bunch of programs for gifted students - this is info that should be obtainable from the school or educational authrorities.

While the gov does indeed regulate state school fees, there are a few gov schools in Bangkok that are as hard and as expensive to get into as are the international schools - because of corruption in the system.

International schools offer better faciliies, smaller class sizes and more course oppurtunity - which collectively I guess can be argued to be a better education (a discussion for another time ....), but for a gifted student of the caliber the OP describes, I don't believe attendence at a private/international school is going to up their chances later of getting a good place at a good Uni, like Chula for example.

Students of the caliber the OP is describing get into uni's like Chula on the basis of demonstrated academic ability i.e. their academic track record is so blatently and obviously what it is, that it becomes impossible to deny them a place and give it to someone who has "bought" their placement.

I do not believe a well adjusted student with the academic performance the OP has described, is going to be at a disadvantage - now or later for having attended a state school versus a private school.

It certainly will not affect their chances of getting into a Uni like Chula - and with performance like the OP claims, they will be able to choose from any one of many sponsorship/scholarship programs that are in place (both state and private funded) to assist capable students of limited financial means.

We are also tossing around the idea that she goes to Uni in Canada and also looking into formally adopting her. Her home life up country is ok, but really just ok. She would much prefer to live here, she often stays with us for 3 or 4 weeks between terms and dreads going home. It's not that bad but it's a little more comfortable for her here with us. Her mother would also agree as it would be great for her daughter. She also enjoys taking care of my small children. If I could adopt her and get her Canadian citizenship just as my kids have then she could attend Canadian Uni's at the local Canuck rate ( I have confirmed that non resident Canucks pay the same as resident Canucks), which is pretty cheap. I guess that's another thread i.e. can I adopt her and get her Canadian citizenship though. If she did study abroad, going to an int'l school with good falang teachers and an int'l flavor would make a transition to a Canuck Uni easier.

[geovalin]

1- Intl schools teach in English. I understand your niece learnt in Thai. She cannot continue in English so easily.

2- The bilingual school of my kids offers scholarships. 15000 to 30000 THB / year. Maybe you can have more as you have a great project. YamSaad school has only Primary at Vibawadee campus but has Secondary in Rangsit.

yamsaard.ac.th/"]http://yamsaard.ac.th/[/url

[Scott]

Please don't put direct links to other sites in the forum.