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

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

Mutiara International Grammar 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.)

Supposedly International, but really malaysian

What grade levels are represented at this school?

age 3-16

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

Most travel by car, which is a problem since there are 500 in the school. fortunately the principal who joined last year staggered the times so pick up is much better.

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

OK. Not much sport, no gym, senior school labs ok, but nothing in junior. library pretty basic. Principal has made much more sport accessible to pupils, and now school finally having matches with other schools. No real after school classes. Most teachers especially in the senior school seem to have little interest if any outside their "specialisms". Only the British teachers in senior school (Principal plus 4 others seem to have any real talent that they wish to share with the pupils.

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?

It follows the British national curriculum so transition not too difficult. problem is the teachers aren't flexible enough to make the curriculum relevant to the pupils. principal has brought in new changes, but has found it difficult to get the teachers out of their old mindset.

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

No PTA. The owners are very good at pretending that they welcome parents, but in reality they do not want them involved in any capacity. they are too obsessed with the big corporations who send pupils to the school, and arse-lick parents who are seen to be important - but the ordinary parents are regarded as beneath them. the new principal is the first to make parents feel that they can be listened to. he is brilliant in a very understated way. His newsletters regarding the assemblies he gives the pupils are a testament to his educational philosophy which is light years ahead of what the other teachers are capable of. has brought a humanity to the school which was never there before. We all know however that the owners are as hard as nails, and this quality is not what they would appreciate. We have no doubt that the Principal will leave soon because the owners do not have a clue about what matters and we feel that the principal is unable to bring in changes which the school really needs. They are too concerned with superficialities. The principal is adored by the pupils, and parents who have really seen a difference in the short time he has been here in bringing an undefined quality to the atmosphere of the school. but the school runs on hierarchies, and we know that staff bypass him to gain favour with the owners. The school seems to have too many chiefs and not enough indians so messages are mixed, contradictory, with people slowing down real progress. Got a new director of studies who is helping to co-ordinate academic work, but he loves himself so much we all smile and wonder how many times he can bring any conversation back to himself. Means well, but people and some pupils and staff beginning to tire of his megalomania.

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

If you are prepared for having your child taught by teachers who are not really as good as they think they are - who have no idea about extension (except the british teachers who number 4). if you are prepared for islamic pupils to be given religious instruction and no other religion - if Christian pupils are not allowed their own opportunities for learning - an islamic camp but no Christian camp. if you want to have the best headmaster we have ever known, but know he is wasted here and will move on - facilities and health and safety issues which are poor - owners who ponce around and run a school that has no real educational insight - who have got through 4 principals in 10 years, and we know Mr Shere is too good to wish to continue putting up with the rubbish he has to contend with (dinosaur teachers with not an ounce of proactive professionalism)then send your child here. otherwise if you can afford it send them to a REAL international school that aims to compete with similar schools by putting money where it matters, and not the owners' pockets.

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