What is Global Indian International School’s 9GEMS Approach?
Global Indian International School (GIIS) has come a long way from its humble beginnings in 2002 where it started off as a small school in Mount Sophia, Singapore catering to only 18 students. The school has grown exponentially to have a global presence with 21 campuses across seven Asian countries — Singapore, Malaysia, Japan, Thailand, United Arab Emirates, Vietnam and India.
In 2006, GIIS Kuala Lumpur was established in a strategic location in the heart of the city, with the aim of providing high-quality, values-based education to students at an affordable price. GIIS Kuala Lumpur welcomes students at Kindergarten level where the Global Montessori Plus Programme is adopted. The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) and the Cambridge International Curriculum is offered at primary and secondary stages. The curriculum at GIIS is also enhanced with value added programmes focusing on STEM education at no extra cost to students.
The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) at GIIS
GIIS is proudly the first school in Malaysia to offer the CBSE programme. For the past 14 years, GIIS has produced an excellent academic track record with outstanding test scores in both Class 10 and Class 12 CBSE Board Examinations. The school has earned the trust of students and parents alike as an accredited CBSE examination centre and an educational institution recognised by the Malaysian Ministry of Education. The CBSE programme is effectively delivered by trained teachers who create an enriched learning experience to help students connect with the learning material. In addition, CBSE’s global curriculum includes built-in activities and exercises which promote cross-curricular learning.
These activities and exercises improves students’ abilities to apply knowledge successfully in a variety of areas and helps them engage in higher-level reasoning skills.
The Cambridge International Curriculum at GIIS
Students in Grades 8 to 10 are prepared to sit for the Cambridge IGCSE examinations via the Cambridge Primary and Secondary programmes. GIIS’ broad and balanced Cambridge curriculum encourages learners to have a solid foundation in English, Maths and Science. The Cambridge IGCSE framework is also flexible, allowing students to select subjects based on their individual interests and capabilities. GIIS has been offering the Cambridge International Curriculum for the past eight years. Students are taught by experienced and qualified teachers and can focus better with smaller class sizes.
Education Pathway at GIIS
Students in GIIS have the opportunity to customise their education experience with the option of choosing the CBSE or Cambridge Programme. They can also opt for the dual curricula pathway. At primary level, Mandarin is offered as a compulsory second language subjects for students in Grade 1 to 5. Other languages offered include French, Bahasa Melayu, Hindi, Tamil and Sanskrit. The secondary school education at GIIS focuses on the cognitive, emotional and spiritual development. Students are taught using a skills-based learning approach with an emphasis on self-reflection in a digital environment. In addition, GIIS offers a bridge programme that provides academic support to students who enrol any time during the school term to catch up with their peers.
The 9Gems Approach at GIIS
What makes 9GEMS truly innovative is its balanced, age-appropriate and adaptive approach to student development which makes them well-evolved personalities by giving them the holistic education they deserve. GIIS emphasises on academic excellence, but also focuses on other aspects of student life and overall growth including sports excellence, skills development, leadership skills, artistic skills and universal values. These competencies help in vocational and career progression during school years. As students progress, they continually discover themselves and expand their learning horizons.
Gem 1: Academic Excellence
GIIS ensures excellence in academics by emphasising on imparting a holistic education framework curriculum which integrates best practises in education with unique teaching methodology through latest available tools. The school uses collaborative, projects-based learning which allows students to learn by reading, experience and discussions. The outcome is optimised academic excellence for every student, and a lifelong learner profile to their kitty.
Gem 2: Sports Excellence
GIIS believe in giving students great opportunities and sports facilities in indoor and outdoor sports, to bring out the sportsman in them. School sports are foundational activities for students, which can help build physical strength, mental toughness, character and collaborative nature in students. The school enhances all this with data analytics which gives students an edge to excel in a sport of their choice.
Gem 3: Visual and Performing Arts
Through a variety of art facilities, visual arts promotion, and training studios, GIIS give their students a platform to explore their creative side. Students have talents and interests which need an outlet. This is why GIIS has developed a skills-based education programme with a holistic education framework where students get the apparatus and the guidance to enhance and polish their inherent talents or pick up a new skill. These basic foundational courses give students the necessary knowledge to develop a portfolio for their further education.
Gem 4: Personality Development
The importance of student personality development during a student's early years cannot be understated. GIIS is focused on cultivating various aspects of student development through a variety of well-designed programmes like critical thinking, sports, social contribution, self-expression and meditation. All these are stepping stones to a well-rounded personality of a student, and the school puts these foundations in place through our various programmes, initiatives and events.
Gem 5: Innovation and Creativity
GIIS believes that innovative thinking and creative outputs have no age limit, which is why the school encourages these skills in their students using their creativity class programme. This gem is structured to nurture creativity and innovation in students by mapping their interest areas, identifying their competencies and facilitating their growth. It encourages students to explore and embrace creative, multi-faceted strategies when problem solving.
Gem 6: Entrepreneurship & Leadership
The school’s leadership programme for students and events revolve around concepts of entrepreneurship and leadership among school children to help develop their skills. GIIS invites experts, hold entrepreneurship classes, and conducts boot camps to give exposure in these concepts to their students. Interactive conversations and participation in these activities help students grow in confidence and speak passionately and authoritatively on subjects of their interest.
Gem 7: Universal Values and Ethics
GIIS’ emphasis is not just academic excellence, but to also nurture students emotionally and spiritually through active promotion of universal activities and student values. The school is guided by the teachings of Mahatma Gandhi in this endeavour. Through specific elements like peace included in our curriculum and encouraging activities like yoga, GIIS teaches students to imbibe good values to build character and treat everyone with respect.
Gem 8: Community and Care
Through a comprehensive programme, GIIS gives students a chance to be out and about in the community and have social interactions which will help them bond with society at large. Charity drives, community event participation, green initiatives and conservation of resources are some of the methods encouraged among students to develop their emotional and spiritual well-being and student care.
Gem 9: Skill Development
GIIS’ smart campuses around the world focus on giving students platforms for skill development which form an additional layer of expertise for their educational portfolio. Through various skill development classes, studios and programmes; GIIS ensures students learn real world skills, and through training and experience we ensure they develop soft skills to sharpen their personality. Taken together, GIIS has students who are proficient in both.
The 9Gems Approach at GIIS embodies the school’s commitment to academic excellence and the personal development of their students. The school believes students become the best versions of themselves when physical and mental well-being is prioritised. For more information on GIIS, please visit https://kualalumpur.globalindianschool.org/
GIIS Kuala Lumpur Resilience Scholarships
Recognising the hardship and uncertainty parents are facing due to COVID-19, GIIS is offering resilience scholarships to ensure parents have the means to provide the best education for their children during these difficult times.
Scholarship Tenure: Two years
Scholarship Value: Up to 30% / MYR500 – MYR5000
Applicable Grades: Grade 1–12
For more information on scholarships offered by GIIS, please visit https://kualalumpur.globalindianschool.org/admissions/scholarships