How is international school bangkok better than government schools in Bangkok?

To compare International School Bangkok with government schools in Bangkok nowadays, we can break down the differences in key areas like curriculum, teaching methods, facilities, student outcomes, and cost.

Curriculum and Teaching Methods
International School Bangkok: International School Bangkok follows an international curriculum, often modeled on the International Baccalaureate (IB) or other international standards. The curriculum emphasizes critical thinking, problem-solving, and holistic development with a global perspective. Classes are generally taught in English.
Government Schools in Bangkok: Thai government schools follow the national curriculum set by the Ministry of Education, which is more traditional and largely lecture-based. The medium of instruction is primarily Thai, with English as a secondary subject.
Advantage: International School Bangkok global curriculum prepares students for international universities and offers a more versatile approach to learning with a strong emphasis on soft skills and global competencies.

Teacher Quality and Training
International School Bangkok: Teachers in international schools are usually certified in Western education systems and are experienced in teaching international curricula. They often have extensive professional development opportunities to stay updated with the latest teaching strategies.
Government Schools: Teachers in government schools may have limited access to professional development due to resource constraints. While many are skilled, the quality of teaching can be inconsistent across schools.
Advantage: International School Bangkok generally offers a more consistent and high-quality teaching experience due to its investment in international educators.

Facilities and Resources
International School Bangkok: International schools typically have state-of-the-art facilities, including modern classrooms, science labs, technology centers, libraries, and extracurricular activity spaces like sports complexes and theaters. This creates an environment conducive to holistic development.
Government Schools: Facilities in government schools can vary greatly, with many suffering from underfunding. They may lack access to cutting-edge technology and specialized equipment, particularly in rural areas or less-funded urban schools.
Advantage: International School Bangkok infrastructure provides a significant advantage in terms of offering a well-rounded educational experience.

Class Size and Individual Attention
International School Bangkok: Class sizes in international schools tend to be small, often with a student-teacher ratio of 10:1 or 12:1. This allows for more personalized attention to each student.
Government Schools: Government schools typically have much larger class sizes, with ratios that can be as high as 40:1, making individualized attention more difficult.
Advantage: International School Bangkok students benefit from smaller class sizes and more individualized learning.

Extracurricular Activities and Holistic Development
International School Bangkok: International schools often emphasize extracurricular activities, offering a wide range of sports, arts, music, and community service programs. These activities are considered vital for building well-rounded individuals.
Government Schools: While some government schools offer extracurricular activities, they are generally fewer and less diverse due to budget constraints.
Advantage: International School Bangkok robust extracurricular offerings foster a broader development of student interests and talents.

Student Outcomes and University Placements
International School Bangkok: Graduates of International School Bangkok often matriculate to top universities worldwide due to the school's emphasis on international curricula like the IB or AP, which are recognized globally.
Government Schools: While some government schools produce excellent graduates, the focus is primarily on national universities, and access to top global universities is more limited.
Advantage: International School Bangkok students typically have better access to international university placements.

Cultural and Language Exposure
International School Bangkok: International schools attract a diverse student body from various cultural backgrounds, promoting an environment of cultural exchange and global understanding. The primary language of instruction is English, enhancing proficiency.
Government Schools: Government schools in Bangkok are mostly attended by local Thai students. Cultural exposure and language instruction are more limited, with Thai being the dominant language.
Advantage: International School Bangkok provides greater cultural diversity and language learning opportunities.

Cost
International School Bangkok: Tuition at international schools is significantly higher, often reaching tens of thousands of dollars per year.
Government Schools: Government schools are either free or very low-cost, making them accessible to a much broader population.
Advantage: Government schools are more accessible in terms of cost.

Conclusion
In summary, International School Bangkok offers several advantages over government schools in Bangkok, including a more globally recognized curriculum, better facilities, smaller class sizes, and more opportunities for extracurricular activities. However, these benefits come at a high cost, making government schools the more accessible option for most families.