Comments about this Report

guest

I completely agree. I had the same problems with this school.

guest

Thanks for the review. It really helps, I am thinking of moving my child to fairview USJ. I am like undecided, as the campus is really rundown though it's new.And all the classrooms and canteen are under the basement, the admin staff said it's just temporaly. But, they could have done it better. It's so called international school, they only have like one or two foreign teachers.

guest

Thanks for the review. Any parent who already have kid enrolled in the new Fairview USJ? What's your comment so far, apart from the basement classrooms?

guest

Thanks for your coment. we are moving to Canada to Malaysia for 3 years to teach in UITM shahalam. I am looking for some international schools for my 2 children. I was contacting with Fairview USJ. After reading this review I got totally confused. Please advise some other good schools near our area. We shall be staying in Bukit Jelutong.

guest

I think you have the concept of international schools totally skewed. Should a school be international by virtue of its "white" foreign teachers? Would a Chinese national taught by an Indonesian teacher be considered enrolled in an international school? Schools should be decided on based on the strength of the education they provide, not the number of facilities or foreign teachers present.

guest

To those parents who are thinking of enrolling their kids in Fairview especially (USJ) pls pls do not even think of it. My child is there in her second term. Trust me....they are worst than our government school. The school is managed by very inexperience young teachers and management. During enrollment they promised alot of things and marketed the school well......but nothing had been fullfilled. This is 2nd term and they dont even teach according to timetable and SOW (Scope of Work). Pls do not get cheated by their IB program....coz thats their main selling tool. To begin with they dont even have trained IB teachers to execute the IB program. All i can say for now they are FAILLING terribly and they will soon FALL terribly to shame if they dont buck up . Be aware and do your homework before enrolling your child in any school.

guest

To Guest who moved from Canada to Malaysia, I wonder did you enroll your children into the Fairview Subang? If so, what is your experience so far? I guess if one has a lot of patience for the school to turn into what they want to be, and don't mind facilities/teachers which/who are still being improved/OJT while they try to get their IB Candidate School status (they claimed that's why you are paying a promotional school fee), you may give the school a try. I can promise you this though..your kids will be very happy because they have a lot of free time ..especially when the teacher call in sick..

guest

If fairview is such a terrible school you as parents must be responsible enough to report them to IB headquarters and IGCE HQ in UK. writing and warning people based on your experience is not sufficient. Can someone tell me which the best school in malaysia? comments like'...not the among the best' can you please tell us which is the best school and what is define as the best. 'Transparent' what does that means? Government grades your children based on quota system, if u think gov is transparent, u better think again..i am searching for good school and does not represent any schools but if you really hate the school you sent your children to, please provide some examples why they did not perform at par. Parents are not exactly the best educator or else we will not have so much trouble in this world today.period.Please provide facts!

guest

Any idea about the school in the main campus in Wangsa Maju? I am thinking of enrolling my 6 year old there this year, pls could I have some feedback on this. Thanks

guest

I personally do not take kindly to any schools that just wanted to made money and will say anything they want including talking down to parents when they asked too much 'tough' questions. I will expect school to be responsible, ethical, and honorable and accountable even to the toughest questions. The behavior of a school management reflect their ability to deliver the quality learning they claimed to manifest. If they tell proven 'lies' than they will be called a lying school n should expect heavy backlash. Teachers are judged more than others. I think 'teacher' who is only there for the money first should quit and go play the stock market and don't ever step into any classroom to teach the young minds...they r only causing more damage to their future.

guest

My son is dyslexia... Since Government school is too heavy for him, I have been searching high and low for a better school... I enrolled him in Sri Sedaya once, but it is the same concept as Government school... I am just paying extra for something I can get for free... Then, I enrolled him in Fairview USJ in Y5 (Term 2 now)class... After a few weeks, I see a lot of changes in him... He has higher confidence level and have high interest in learning... As he is a special child, I don't expect high grades or anything grading systems like normal schools... It is just enough to get him to have interests in learning... And to grasp important concepts... The teacher is also a very kind and experienced one... she made the kids feel like they are playing, to keep the enthusiasm there, when the kids are actually learning... I like the school because I have seen improvement in my son...

guest

How about Fairview in ampang?? i have plan to enroll my son this school..anyone have info abt this school??? thx

guest

I have two children studying In Fairview USJ and I think if you want to comment abt the facilities, true it is not up to the standard even compared to some private schools but I would say they are still improving it. Study wise, I would say it is very different from conventional methods of learning.I found my kids improve a lot over the last two terms in a number of areas. They are very independent in looking for knowledge, doing their work, they learnt to do so many things that we will only do in uni or when we are working. They have co curriculum activities every week. I indeed find IB a very good program. Execution wise of course there are areas to improve on and as a parent, I am being patient and give the school sometime since it is new but at the same time keeping tab of what's happening in school!

guest

i think it is not fair to say fairview usj is so bad. At least I see the teachers are dedicated, the owners are serious abat education and finding ways to improve it everyday. As a parent with kids studying there, I see many plus points as well besides some of the normal problems that a new school has!

guest

there a number of schools in indonesia claiming to be IB but they r not so its always good to check all claims to avoid dissappointments.that's the advise given by a parents from indonesia.

guest

one of the problems observed was the poor, easily offended n unprofessional management of the school. Good schools are eager to hear feedback to improve and lousy ones are always running away, avoiding issues, making excuses, easily hurt, hyper sensitive. There is a new international school coming up and they are a stark contrast with this school. The staff are ever ready to service the parents, and not afraid to handle difficult questions. They have these confidence because they r true educators and not a bunch business people trying to start a new schools using all kinds of terms to attract customers and then reject them when they realized they cannot deliver what they are selling but they will say its the child fault they are not accepted. if schools practice dictatorship, how is it they can teach justice to our children. There is a large gap between what is claimed and what is delivered. This is the reason parents should be checking at both sides of the coin and not afraid to ask. If the school are offensive with these questions then they are suspect of non delivery, n chances is that they r not as they claimed ...these trend is so rampant in international n private schools especially in malaysia...but the good news in there are few good ones but I will decline to name them here.Parents need to be careful with what is said in seminars, check every claims for authencity, not to be demoralised if your children could not get in - its usually they are covering their own weaknesses with pretext of putting the blame on the child. These are downright witchcraft manipulation and educators who practices these behaviors should never be allowed to exist.

guest

Reference to the USJ branch. I couldn't agree more about the easily offended management..the way how parents are treated by the management is deeply disappointing. The number of lower grades children leaving is alarming.. The IB concept and the ongoing promotional fee is however attractive enough for them to quickly recruit more replacement. As a matter of fact, it makes better business sense to keep having school leavers (who forfeit the deposit fee) and then recruit more new students. You would probably only understand more after your child is in there for a few months and that you dare to look in-depth of what they are actually taught (assuming you are not sending them for further English, Maths, Chinese and BM classes outside school).. All the best to the brave parents. We can't handle such stress... especially for the parents.

guest

If any parents would like to claim back their deposit, you would submit the claim though consumer tribunal. The school is not allow to forfeit the deposit if the school can not give us the of expected standard. Ministry of consumers Malaysia office at 8th floor, Bangunan Syed Putra, Downing Street, Georgetown, Penang (above Penang General Post Office). or KL's office (Putrajaya) http://ttpm.kpdnkk.gov.my/portal/index.php

guest

I understand that the IB system is very good, but does anyone know how close is the Fairview USJ following the system or syllabus? And are the teachers there well trained to deliver the IB teaching? I am think of putting my daughter there for reception year. Any comments on learning IB at this your age?

guest

IB is good but depends on the school running it. It depends of the ability of the school to design a IB content...IB is overrated..its nothing more than a equivalent of ISO 9002 quality standards. IB is just a quality standard for education and right not there is very few people who are actually trained for this kind of thing.

guest

Totally agree with all that you have gone throygh.We had thought with IB(our older child's in CIE), things would improve and admitted our youger child in Ib. However we have pulled our children from Fairview.We have no words to express our discontent with the school.

guest

Fairview IB is the most terribly mismanaged programme.Teachers are changed so frequently, my son has had three different teachers for three terms for english and math!!!!To top it all the last math teacher is not even IB trained!!She came to the class and asked the kids about how they were graded and stuff like that. The less said about the so called co courricular activities, the better. Only kids who are highly self motivated can come out learningfrom there. Other average kids are floundering in the dark just like the school authorities......

guest

Are all these feedback related to Fairview Penang or other branches as well? For us, the USJ branch seems to be in the similar situation. If the other branches which are established earlier are still facing such teething issues, how are we going to continue being hopeful here with such new setup.

guest

We would sue Fairview Ampang and now Wangsa Maju, if we could.

guest

Wow. I've been reading all the comments about this school and I'm shocked! Any reviews on Fairview in JB? Are there any improvements in the other branches?

guest

I transfer my kids from Sri KL Subang to Fairview USJ. Of course when it comes to comparison with other school, Fairview lack of some many things. Just to name a few..the teachers not all a degree holder, facilities totalling not to what i expected but when we talk about facilities, i just take it tht it is vry new school and hoping for more in future but comes to teachers, we cant just take it that the school is new so do the teachers..As per what i know tht all teachers should be a degree holders and has a teaching experience in related field. But i got a shocked when i came to k own a lady who was a receptionist ended up as Bahasa teacher for my son in Year 1. I came to know she is just a Diploma holder and when i deal with her at reception last time, she dont even talk in proper english. Now im looking forward to parents day which will be end of this month to get a good explanation on this from the school principal.

guest

We have just removed our two children from Fairview International School, Johor Bahru. I can quite honestly say to anyone considering to send their children here - DON'T!!!! Like others, we were promised much and delivered little. The facilities are very basic and the teachers are young, inexperienced and their standard of english is poor - when they choose to use it. All of the teachers are souced from the local market, bar one. They are really struggling with implementing the IB programme and really have no idea how to teach in this method. During the year and a half the children were there, there was no Principal and management was haphazard at best. The teachers and "management" are very defensive and there is a culture of blame operating in this school - as in blame the children for anything that goes wrong. CCA's and programmes such as the arts and physical education are almost non existent and cancelled whenever it is deemed necessary. There is no science lab and the library and computer labs are not well resourced. I think the most frustrating thing for us has been the lack of accountability accepted by Fairview, the extremely poor communication (not one of my letters of complaint - and there were many, was ever answered until they were advised we were leaving), the lack of any relationship extended between parents and school (ie: PTA or similar)and their tendency to blame students for their own poor performance. They also firmly discourage parents from entering the school, at any time and have become very insular, with not having any cultural or similar activities for some time. Obviously, like others we wanted the best possible International school for our time here in Malaysia and we have been nothing but disappointed in Fairview International School, Johor Bahru. I firmly believe that the owners of this brand see this as a money making venture only and are not bothered by the fact that many, many people are leaving, as they seem to replace them easily enough. I strongly recommend that should you be considering this school for your children, please don't. You will be very disappointed!

guest

I suspect that is exactly what the management is doing. Each time a student leave the school, which could be quite ad-hoc (without full term notice given) as the parents are just too disappointed, they school gain the forfeited deposit. The other gain is the registration fee when new student enroll in. Not bad from business standpoint. Each of such 'transaction' could easily pay for 2-3 months of a teacher's salary.

guest

Absolute crap! 3 words worst.school.ever. I believe that they have no idea what they are doing and care only for what the kids look like, instead of the things they are meant to be learning! I really am saying do not even consider going to this awful awful place, if you are in there get out while you still have the chance!

guest

Strange how others are able to excel and break out of their shells at Fairview and yours are not able to. Perhaps it is you who is at fault; the prejudices ingrained into you, to despise anything not Caucasian, to scoff at anything rooted in Asian values. That has been acculturated into many of these children which leads them to not put in any effort whilst at school. In such an event one wonders who is to blame then? Good riddance to bad rubbish.

guest

Teachers, however experienced they may be, are bound to be offended when spoken to by parents in a most condescending manner. Just as the parents are human, so are the teachers. Parents must first be aware of their shortcomings before they analyse the school through their skewed point-of-views and are dismissive of any suggestions and explanations made by teachers. It would be reasonable to ask of parents to not belittle everything that the diligent, committed and dedicated teachers do. To instead show a modicum of respect for themselves, their children and the teaching profession. Is that too much to ask? Your problems are primarily with school management, leave the teachers out of it. They go through enough and do not need parents to condemn and whinge about every little problem under the sun. Raise your issues with the proper school authorities instead of making their largely insignificant lives any more miserable.

guest

In reply to guest 23 July. I find your comments to be very interesting and indeed rather presumtuious! Why is it that you believe that people writing these comments are caucasion and why should that be of any significance anyway? I find it interesting that you are making such strong assumptions on an Expat website also? Could it be that you are not actually an expat and if that is the case, why should it be of any interest to you? Maybe you need to consider that expats coming from all over the world, actually would expect and demand a quality "international" school for their children - not that much to expect is it????????? PS My family is mixed race if that is any of your business - we are part Chinese!(that kindof blows that one out of the water aye???) In reply to guest 25 July. Now if you were actually right about this one I would agree with you! Sorry but the buck stops with the classroom teacher. Who else do you speak with if you have problems with your children??? THAT IS THEIR JOB!!!!!!!!!! It is up to them to explain themselves to you the parent! Would you expect less from the Astro salesperson, your doctor or your bank manager???? Seriously!!!!! Yes the management at Fairview are the worst ever encountered, but the teachers have to accept some responsibility too! They are providing a service to YOU and YOUR CHILDREN! In response to speaking with staff, I have never spoken in a less than respectful way to any of my children's teachers and would never speak down to anyone! However, I have on many occasions been spoken to in a rude and condesending way by many staff members at Fairview JB, as have many other parents that I know! Bottom line, stay away if you want quality education - it's that simple!

guest

Interesting. My main concern is that teachers untrained and inexperience will reverse the skill n confidence level of the students. If they do not have good teaching, coaching technical skills..they are bound to undo a number of good values in a child acquire before they enter school. Based on these reasons. teachers should be clever to answer parents in more convincing manner , ..firstly you as teachers or so called educators should know that parents will do anything to ensure the well being welfare of their children at all cost (occassionally there will be parents who don't care enough how their children r doing)...so when you are unable to answer or account for your actions, you will invite critics. you must accept responsibility if you do not perform as a good teacher..you cannot make mistakes and cover up with parent's children. its parents role to be protective,and if you cannot behave responsibly, you as teachers will automatically become the potential danger...! if you as teachers cannot fulfil these responsibilities, then you should consider other profession that suits you.If you know your job well, you will be able to answer the parents and there is NO NEED TO BE RUDE AT as there is no necessity for such a response becos you gain respect frm the parents...but if you tell stories, lazy, cover up by barring parents from inspecting your classes. then you are doing something very dangerous to the children..you as teachers will be held accountable and unless you are ready for these..i advise you look for other jobs that don't require taking care of other children.

guest

Firstly, I cannot believe that race has been brought in to this debate - We are talking about a school!!!!! Fairview IS a sub standard International school in JB! Having witnessed international schools in other locations this is not how schools are run & the levels of education particularly to the early years is POOR - no literacy programme! Have you ever heard of a school teaching young children on an IB / International programme not teaching children how to read or providing reading material for the children!?! Yes, the responsibility also falls on the shoulders of parents but they should be supplementing the tuition already completed in the classroom. Secondly, communication is dire. How can a modern age school only use email for internal purposes?? How can it not be acceptable to contact a teacher directly & before you comment - the planner system does not work - the teachers do not put information in the planners as highlighted to the management. I am saddened to see that parents at this school feel it necessary to subject fellows to such 'VILE' language particularly on a forum! Surely, the number of parents that have withdrawn their children from the school in the last term of the 2010/11 school year is enough to warrant that it isn't just a few that feel this way. Thankfully, my child now receives a proper education which I as a parent has ensured that they receive!!!

guest

Hi Folks, I went to pick my child up from the Wangsa maju school and stopped in the drive way for one and a half miniutes, as there were many cars parked in front. I just got off to help my girl and the rude CHAIRMAN pounced on me asking me to move out of the gate. I apologised and left. Next day I am getting a letter to say that my child is terminated from the school and the deposit 9000 RM forfeited ! I have no extra money to pay the deposit to another school and my girl is at home till I find the money to deposit in another school. UN-FAIR view it is!!!!! This is their business plan to rob unsuspecting parents like us this way to build up their capital reserves. The CHARMAN,and the gang of thieves should be struck by lightening ......... which is so common in this land - expat

guest

How could your child be terminated due to parking issue? If it is really an unfair termination, why don't you take it up with MOE - Private schools division (International), Tuan Hj. Khairil tel:03-88849000, or the Ministry of Consumer Malaysia?

guest

its unbelievable what this Chairman MAO is doing at fairview wangs maju. Suggest to you bring this the STAR newspaper as soon as possible. It's time parent should not be held ransom by schools. They cannot build a great wall of china when they decide they no longer need students and had already made their money trapping parents into sending their children through the use of heavy deposits. these schools are using high deposits to trap you parents to keep sustaining their high living style, driving around with big cars while you parents sloth and sweat for your children. Did it ever occur to you parents that schools just wanted your money and does not give a hoot about the welfare of your children? They are sounding nice and will do what is necessary to ensure you keep paying the fees...that is what business do and private schools are a business making entity.It time parents wake up and set up a union to act as an effective force that determine whether a school stay in business or not. If you parents continue with behave individually, you will put your child education at risk. Check, verify and demand schools to keep their promise or risk their license withdrawn. as for fairview please check if they actually have IB present certification...if not file a police report and charge the school with fraud and scam......it's time parents need to rise up and stopped being bullied by schools... any school.Time to bring these lying and cheating schools to justice.Remember schools are business entity..they may have good hearted people running but it remain the fact that owners of the schools may not be as kind and may be 'evil' when they find that they have already make their money. REMEMBER PARENTS, it's your fears that are making these school rich and its your silence that are making them taking advantage of you and risking your child's education. Stop the bullying of parents.Rise up parents all over the country and all over the world.

guest

I believed guest dd Sep 10th because I had witnessed a similar case by Chairman Mao where a child has been terminated and deposit forfeited for things that the child and parent has not committed at all. I wonder how many such cases exist. I totally agree with guest dd Sep 13th that something needs to be done to stop this bullying. Can a leader amongst one of you prevail ? I would be most happy to get in touch with you. Friends and I have more horrifying experience in Fairview than what was said here. And every worst bit mentioned here was what we experienced too. IB standard ?? How can a child's report card has another child's name in some of the comments and also the gender changed in some sections too - eg she becomes he ! ..and the name was also wrongly spelt ! Bottomline, children's education is a joke to Chairman Mao. Fairview exists solely for business profits, education perhaps in name to lure in the profits. Of course our kids are no longer in Fairview - thank God !

guest

COMPLETELY AGREE ! I had same and worst problems with this school. Do not understand how IB could be approved - a total disgrace ! ..and what a tyrant in the grey haired Chairman Mao who claims himself an educator but really a total hypocrite ! Save the parents and students from the pain please ! The wisdom is to not make the same mistake we make, ie sending our kids there. DO NOT Enrol else thou nightmare starts !

guest

I totally agree. I have 2 kids at Fairview Wangsa Maju, they have been there for almost 3 years. All those years I regretted for admitting my kids there. The school has poor educator and limited facilities and the management body is full of craps. This school is a 'CHINA MAN SCHOOL'..all about making profit and letting other suffer especially the children...:( Please do not enroll your children at any Fairview International School, you are wasting your money!!! I have transferred my kids to ISKL. better facilities compare to Fairview.

guest

I have to agree with all the bad stuff mentioned above. I'm begging you, please go to other International schools. IB is great.... But IB Fairview style is rubbish and you are forced to attend the expensive excursion failing which, the certificate will not be issued to the student upon graduation. That is rubbish. It is mot IB requirement.... It's the school Chairman's requirement.... God, please strike the Chairman with lightning..... And his wife too.... It's a school run by corrupted family members... Please parents.... Go somewhere else!!

guest

As a christian, I wouldnt agree with cursing people, whoever they are. But yes, Chairman Mao shows his ugly side once again. He puts children in a building still under construction. My son is in reception- 4 years old. A huge crane stands outside his class. I have photos which I sent to DBKL. There is dust and stench. No approval for occupancy and yet children placed there. Cannot question. Another parent was asked to take his child out because he questioned the readiness of the building. The principal sends newsletters of assurance. Bullshit! It is safe! 'DBKL visited'- good choice of words. Can't fool me. I've done enough buildings and know when approvals are given .the wife- have not met her personally but heard about her brutal dealings with parents! Can't comment though!

guest

Its very much true as even we had faced similar kind of experiences of Fairview School in KL. They named themselves to be IB World School with poor standards. Though we had our girls graduated from this school last year but as useful advise to all parents dont waste your time on this school.

guest

I have been very impressed with the school. Our daughter has been there for two terms now and I have to say that the Staff and teachers in Penang are great. They have always gone that extra step with things. Not only are they very friendly and helpful but they are also very caring and treat each student as their own. I know for a fact there are a number of foreign teachers in the school and those that I have dealt with are very good and the level of education that they are providing for the children is very high. As a parent sometimes I think you need to stop and think about what you expect from an International school as well. The academic level in Fairview Penang is higher than that taught in other International Schools in Penang and if you were to compare the level to that in my home country (Australia) honestly I can say it is much higher and more advanced then you would find in most schools in Australia. I really like the way that they teach children to really think about what is taught and apply it to the real world instead of spoon feeding a child (which is often the case in many schools in Asia). They also get parents involved in their kids studies by guiding at home with their work such as with things relating to UOI. I think as a parent it is important that we guide our children and take the time to actually sit with our children and be aware of what they think about with regards to what they are learning as well as how they see the world around them and if Fairview the school does allow for this. They allow the children to be responsible for their studies and allow them to speak up and justify their opinions. Honestly you would not find this in many schools. Their approach to education honestly is great in the way that they are actually preparing your child for the real world. My daughters teachers have been wonderful I was worried that it would take my daughter time to adjust to primary school however which such wonder homeroom teachers she adjusted and settled into school very quickly. I am a teacher myself and I have been impressed by the fact that her teachers were able to pick up on her strengths and weaknesses quickly and have been giving her extra help were needed. Not only that they have always gone that extra step for instance any time I write a note to them they will reply on the same day and usually wait to talk to me after school to anwer any of my questions or to adivse me on my daughters studies. Do you think you would find this in International Schools in Penang? From what i have been told by others you would not find this in other schools in Penang such as St Christophers or Uplands. I commend my daughters current teachers and those that I have interacted with so far in PYP. I would not hesitate to recommend this school and I really commend them on their hard work and dedication to the students and the school at large. In this day and age it is not easy to find teachers that are dedicated and passionate, however in Fairview Penang the teaching staff are very dedicated and passionate about what they are doing and this is to be commended.

guest

Hi there, I'm sitting for my SPM this year. FAIRVIEW came to my school this year and from there, I got to know that they were offering full scholarship(and only full scholarship, no partial). They said that they used to offer partial but had stopped because they wish to have a class that is...driven. Haha! After reading all the comments now, I'm honestly contemplating whether or not to go for the scholarship. If I do get it, I would be going for the Wangsa Maju branch. Honestly, can't decide on what to do now...

guest

I understand what this parent is trying to say. I felt the same way 5 years ago. My daughter was less than a month at the fairview. We moved her to Sp. She started in grade 11 and in 2 1/2 years she got her IB diploma. According to fairview she could start as a 9-10 grade student.

guest

Hello, I love the IB programm. My kids always enjoyed this way of learning/teaching. We are moving to Penang and I was seriously considering enrolling my kids in Fairview. The bad comments are mostly about other Fairview schools. What about Penang in particular? I would have the choice basically between St Christopher and Fairview. In St Christopher, my kids would not be learning a second language if I understood well. Would love to read your recommendations. Thanks

guest

IB is a great way to study but Fairview implements it wrongly

guest

Hi to all, is anyone children still in Fairview Penang currently? Mai have your review on the school please? I am considering of sending my children there. Thanks.