Critical Advice for Parents Moving Abroad with Children

Summary: The critical considerations that every single expatriate parent needs to cover relating to their children’s education

No matter who you are, what your background is or where you’re moving to, if you’re a parent moving abroad with children in tow there are certain universal issues that will affect you, that do concern you and that you have to be aware of if you’re going to make the transition abroad a successful one as far as your children and their education is concerned.

In this article we impart critical advice for parents moving abroad with children that is in part based on personal experience and which is guided by the advice and stories we have received from other parents living life as expatriates all around the world.

You will have your own very personal expectations of the education that you want your children to receive - so before you rush headlong into relocation abroad you need to examine what the academic culture is in your new overseas location.  For example - if you expect your child to be able to read and write and be in full time education by the time they are five years old will that expectation be met by the local school system?  If you’re used to the British way of schooling and you believe your children should be educated between the hours of 9 and 4 five days a week is that the amount of schooling normally given in your preferred overseas country?

Next up, you need to look more closely at any educational establishment suitable for the education of your child and find out whether they are internationally affiliated with any recognizably good teaching institutions or examining bodies, for example is the school an IB school (International Baccalaureate) or is it accredited with the Council of International Schools for example?  Look closely at the level of accreditation or affiliation with respected bodies that the school has to determine how good an education your child may receive and how recognizable that school’s teaching program will be if you need to relocate again.

A further critical piece of advice is for parents to look at the qualifications and levels of experience each teacher has that their child will come into contact with.  In some international schools teaching staff need full degrees and detailed teaching experience, in others a GCSE equivalent qualification in the subject being taught is sufficient.  Naturally the level of qualification a teacher has says a lot about their own academic ability which is kind of important if they are to be imparting their knowledge to your child!

The next consideration relates to school and class sizes – what’s the ratio of students to teachers, how much attention will your child receive, what if your son/daughter requires extra assistance, how likely is it that they will get it?  If your child is gifted will they be spotted in a huge class or in a huge school?  The smaller the class the more intense the learning experience – but go too small and your child may have problems integrating if they cannot find a single friend among the limited numbers of pupils at that school.

Have a look at the curriculum that is being taught and see whether it fits your requirements for the level and scope of education that you wish your child to receive.  Look closely at whether there is specific emphasis on any subjects that are not suitable as far as you are concerned such as religious studies in a set religion for example.  Additionally, will your child be taught through the medium of English or another language?  If not English then how will your child’s long term future be impacted if they cannot yet speak the language they are about to be taught in?  Consider whether you are likely to relocate again or repatriate and whether the curriculum your child is now about to be taught is transferable.

Finally, will the qualifications that your child can take in your new country gain them entry to universities or quality tertiary educational establishments or are they not worth the paper they are written on?  Do your detailed research and due diligence now or risk adversely affecting your children’s future – you’re the one who wants or needs to move abroad so you’re the one who has to ensure your children’s future is secure.  As is so often the case as a parent, the buck stops with you…

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