Thread: Home schooling in Bali?

You didn't mention the ages of your children, which country's educational curriculum they'll be following and for how long.

Home schooling might be an option. However, it's not necessarily all that easy (again, depending on your childrens' ages). Someone will have to monitor lessons and make sure the required "homework" is done. Chances are you'll also need a reasonable internet connection (say about Rp 700,000/month).

Sometimes it can be "simpler" to enroll your children in local schools (dependent upon your visas). Then you have the language problem. But, if you're seriously considering moving everybody to live in Bali, that'd be just another challenge for all involved.

It's all possible...
Best wishes whatever you decide to do.

Originally Posted by JohnnyCool

You didn't mention the ages of your children, which country's educational curriculum they'll be following and for how long.

Home schooling might be an option. However, it's not necessarily all that easy (again, depending on your childrens' ages). Someone will have to monitor lessons and make sure the required "homework" is done. Chances are you'll also need a reasonable internet connection (say about Rp 700,000/month).

Sometimes it can be "simpler" to enroll your children in local schools (dependent upon your visas). Then you have the language problem. But, if you're seriously considering moving everybody to live in Bali, that'd be just another challenge for all involved.

It's all possible...
Best wishes whatever you decide to do.

Hi,

our children are young 5,4 and 2yrs. We would be following the Australian curriculum. At the moment im just getting some ideas about the schooling in Bali and seeing if anyone has any advice Thanks for your info.

Thanks

At their ages, I think following the "Australian curriculum" isn't all that important. If you're planning to live here for a long time, your children will benefit primarily from learning "social skills". Academic stuff can wait a while (or be supplemented by you, the parents - and maybe a "tutor").

My half-Balinese son went to a Montessori school in Ubud when he was age five. He's a bright boy and quite frankly, there was little "taught" to him there. However, he did meet and socialise with many other expat children as well as Balinese ones (including some who were in wheel-chairs). IMHO, those interactions were invaluable...

Everybody is different and what works for some may not work for others. "Normal" Balinese schools can be a mixed bag. Some are fine and some train their students to be human parrots. Nevertheless, they are an option worth considering (with the appropriate visas).

Your eldest child has at least two years, or so, to "catch up" with the Australian curriculum (if necessary). Life in Bali for those years may be worth far much more than what he/she would get in the Australian education system.

johnnycool can I ask what visa you need to go to a local school?

Originally Posted by JohnnyCool

At their ages, I think following the "Australian curriculum" isn't all that important. If you're planning to live here for a long time, your children will benefit primarily from learning "social skills". Academic stuff can wait a while (or be supplemented by you, the parents - and maybe a "tutor").

My half-Balinese son went to a Montessori school in Ubud when he was age five. He's a bright boy and quite frankly, there was little "taught" to him there. However, he did meet and socialise with many other expat children as well as Balinese ones (including some who were in wheel-chairs). IMHO, those interactions were invaluable...

Everybody is different and what works for some may not work for others. "Normal" Balinese schools can be a mixed bag. Some are fine and some train their students to be human parrots. Nevertheless, they are an option worth considering (with the appropriate visas).

Your eldest child has at least two years, or so, to "catch up" with the Australian curriculum (if necessary). Life in Bali for those years may be worth far much more than what he/she would get in the Australian education system.

Thanks for that fantastic info JohnnyCool,

I totally agree with your way of thinking. One of the big reasons for coming to Bali is for the kids to experience the Bali way of life. You can not get that back home in Australia. My niece who is also half balinese was far more advaned then her cousin here in Aust. She is now in perth doing her final years at school and is way ahead of them all. She was educated in Bali in both local and international school.

I also have no problem with tutors or us helping them, after all we will have time in Bali not like here in Aust.
What visa do you need for the schooling?

Hi Fred2

Unless things have changed, at least a SosBud (Social Visa).
That's what I had at the time my son went to school here.

Go to a school and ask. Different schools, different answers.

Johnnycool
Your son is Indonesian?

No - he's technically Australian (was born there). He's still got a couple of years to decide for himself if he'd like to be "Indonesian" (or both).

Your son is classed as Indonesian so can go to any local school for free, some schools will charge for bits & pieces. None Indonesian will need a Kitas & can only go to government plus school or private International schools, both cost big money. Here in Surabaya there is a International school on every corner.