Living in a foreign country is a special life experience. Growing up in faraway lands enriches early memories and can shape the adult to be. Certainly, the cultural influences, international friends and exposure to human diversity make for an interesting childhood. But, when choosing the location of their new home, families who move abroad have to be concerned about the quality of available educational facilities.

Phuket offers a range of schools for children of all ages and nationalities — from a traditional Western college to bi-lingual Thai schools, alternative schools and kindergartens. What style of education most suits your child? At one extreme, some believe a child should be allowed to unfold according to genetic programming and cultural stimulus. At the other extreme, some view the young child rather like play dough to be moulded from the earliest moments. Some parents view the happiness and creativity of their child as paramount. Other perspectives focus on the complexity of the social and working world into which the child will eventually have to fit, believing that the earlier a learning structure is established, the stronger the foundation

The "let the child unfold" approach is available on Phuket for parents who wish to see their children in a relatively informal, happy and creative environ- ment. The Rawai Progressive School, a Thai bi-lingual seaside school for 3- to 12-year-olds, was founded on the Montessori philosophy. Maria Montessori, a 19th-century educationalist, claimed that every child's "absorbent mind" started to gather knowledge at an early age, and therefore there was an innate desire to learn. Students are encouraged to develop their full potential on intellectual, physical, emotional, spiritual and social levels.

The students are organized into "multi-aged" classes, studying the subjects on the Thai curriculum with Montessori learning practices. The basic philosophy is that children learn from one another. Older children are said to achieve a level of understanding that they pass on to the younger members of the class. The younger children work hard in their desire to emulate their older role models, eventually taking their place and teaching other young children. The classroom resembles an extended family. Montessori teachers are trained to observe and enhance social interactions among the students.

Future plans include The Montessori Learning Center Study House, a junior high-school program for students 13 to 15 years of age, applying the official Queensland (Australia) curriculum. Students will follow a bilingual programme directed by the Brisbane School of Distance Education, and participate in creative arts and life skills courses. The Study House offers the added advantage of having the only indoor school sports stadium in the south of Phuket. The cost of building the stadium was covered by a local philanthropist.

An alternative for those 3 to 6 years of age is Greenhouse International Pre-school, north of Phuket Town. This well-established school has seen dynamic growth, recently having had to increase the size of its facilities. The classrooms are designed to stimulate a developing child's mind, and teaching programmes are tailored to suit the needs of the individual child. "We're a truly international school," says Director Pamela Kelly Wetzell, "with 18 different nationalities represented within our total of 50 children." While the school director emphasizes the caring, happy, supportive family atmosphere, every child also ends up with "complete fluency in English". They can also count, read, write and are confident and expressive.

Kajonkiet Suksa School pro-vides for children from 3 to 12 years of age. It follows a typical Thai school curriculum taught in the Thai language as well as a Thai curriculum taught in English by a team of native English-speaking teachers. Within the English curriculum, the children are taught in English 80 percent of the time. The school aims to develop basic English skills, an appreciation of computers, and cultural knowledge and experience. Within the pastel-painted buildings, children learn music, drama and Thai dance in after-school workshops, and regularly perform their own concerts and shows. Field excursions are also offered weekly, giving students hands-on learning experience. The school asserts that "in order to further your education elsewhere, our curriculum meets both Thai and foreign standards."

A different approach to junior education is seen in local Thai schools such as Darasamut Phuket School and Dowroong- wittaya School. A number of local people of mixed marriages have chosen to send their children to Thai junior schools so their children can learn to read, write and speak the Thai language while learning about Thai culture and customs. This practice seems particularly valid when children have previously been educated outside Thailand. They already have English as their first language, and tend to pick up Thai reading, writing and speaking skills very quickly. The teaching methods in Thai schools tend to emphasize rote learning of language and basic number skills. Considerable attention is devoted to developing correct Thai behavioural attitudes and cultural awareness. Reports have been complimentary, with most parents delighted with the local Thai system. Darasamut in Phuket Town and its sister school Dowroongwittaya, just outside Phuket Town on the Chaofa Road, are constantly praised.

For an international education beyond the age of 12 and up to university entrance, there are only two realistic alternatives: Dulwich International College, and QSI (Quality Schools International). The former has close links to Dulwich College in London. The educational ethos is British, but with a multi-racial and international mix of students. The alternative, QSI, follows the American style of education, and focuses on verifiable learning outcomes up to university entrance.

Dulwich International College is an impressive building set within vast, beautifully lands caped grounds
about five kilo metres north of Phuket Town. It has fully equipped classrooms and state-of-the-art facilities, is co-educational and currently has over 700 students, of which approximately 45 percent are boarders. Students can attend as boarders from the age of nine, and the school emphasizes this feature. Marketing director Graham Dewey believes that boarding is key: "We are the major school in Southeast Asia, and attract students to the college from all over the region. While education is important, there's an obvious sense at Dulwich that there is something extra. The family atmosphere among boarders adds to the environment which greets the day students."

Dulwich College delivers a British style of education, but the external examinations offered are both British (IGCSE) and European (IB). Most Dulwich graduates have gone on to undertake university courses in America, Europe and Australia. One senses, however, that the final qualification isn't the whole achievement. The Dulwich graduate has undoubtedly rubbed shoulders with the captains of industry and political leaders of tomorrow.

According to their website, QSI International School of Phuket "is an independent, non-profit school committed to providing quality education that prepares students to meet the challenges of a changing world." The school, near Tesco Lotus Shopping complex west of Phuket Town, celebrated its fourth year in Phuket in August 2003. The American-style curriculum is taught by native English-speaking teachers in small classes. School director Dr Paul Finkbeiner believes that QSI derives its advantages, and thus its recent development, from two main sources: "Firstly, we're very competitive on price; and, secondly, 'Success for all' isn't just a motto — it's a verifiable fact."

The curriculum at QSI is incredibly detailed. According to the American style, at the conclusion of a curriculum section the students are tested to determine what they know and understand. The required level of understanding is high, about 80 percent, and those failing to achieve this are re-taught till all the material is fully assimilated. Dr Finkbeiner claims that all students can achieve very good grades and succeed at their own pace. The ablest students are helped to achieve advanced qualifications, which win exemptions in USA universities. While there are many defined curriculum objectives, it's also important to turn out happy, well-adjusted young adults, says the school director. He invites parents to visit and judge for themselves.

Prince of Songkhla University has a campus on Phuket. The main campus, in southern Thailand's Songkhla Province, offers a vast array of undergraduate and graduate courses, while the Phuket campus operates as a community college offering relatively limited courses. The Phuket campus does offer training in hospitality and hotel management, however, catering to the region's booming tourism industry. There are also many international standard universities an hour's flight away in Bangkok.

Phuket now represents a true international destination not just for holiday-makers but for families who choose to live in this exciting region. With an international airport, rapidly expanding shopping facilities, and a multi-cultural community, the standard of education is one more major plus for enjoying a new life in tropical southern Thailand.

Director

14/1 moo5, Viset Road, Rawai, Muang,

Phuket 83130

Tel./Fax + 66 (0) 76 288 923;

E-mail: info@montessori-thailand.com

Director

29/34 moo2, Thepkrasattri Road, Koh Kaew, Muang, Phuket 83002

Tel./Fax + 66 (0) 76 238 756;

E-mail: pamela@greenhouse-phuket.com

Website: http://www.greenhouse-phuket.com

The Headmaster

50/6 Moo 6, (Phuket Villa 5) Chao Fa West Road, T. Vichet, A. Muang, Phuket 83000

Tel. + 66 (0) 76 263 074; fax + 66 (0)76 256 632

E-mail: info@kajonkiet.com

Website: http://www.kajonkiet.com

The Headmaster

59 Moo 2, Thepkassatri Road, Koh Kaew,

Muang, Phuket 83200

Tel. + 66 (0) 76 238 711; fax +66 (0)76 238 750

E-mail: info@dulwich-phuket.com

Website:http://www.dulwich-phuket.com

Director

P. O. Box 432, Phuket 83000

Tel. + 66 (0) 76 354 076; fax +66 (0) 76 354 077

E-mail: qsi@phuketinternet.co.th

Website: http://www.phuketschl.com

Director

13 Vichetsonkram Road, Muang, Phuket 83000

Tel. + 66 (0) 76 212 392; fax + 66 (0)76 369 076

E-mail: darasamut@hotmail.com

Director

31 Chaofa Road, Muang, Phuket 83000

Tel. + 66 (0) 76 212 137; fax + 66 (0)76 218 113

International Relations Office

P. O. Box 102, Hat Yai, Songkhla 90110

Tel. + 66 (0) 74 446 824; fax + 66 (0)74 446825

E-mail: intl@ratree.psu.ac.th

Website: http://www.psu.ac.th