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International Schools Poised for Growth in China

17-Dec-2017

International Schools Poised for Growth in China

Special to TAG Educa News Agency

SHANGHAI – International schools are looking to China for future growth, say organizers of the forthcoming IPSEF Asia education conference set to take place in Shanghai. 

Part of a global series of premier international conferences focusing on the private and international education sector, IPSEF Asia is being organised by IPSEF and Dipont, to share the very latest insights from local and international experts on the growth opportunities for private, international schools in China.

Held annually in key cities in Asia and the Middle East, IPSEF Asia is being held in Shanghai for the first time. The shift to this progressive city could not have come at a better time, as international schools are looking to China for future growth. 

According to latest research by the ISC, there are 806 premium, English language international schools in China, the most in any country in the world. By city, Shanghai and Beijing are among the top in the world with the most number of international schools where English is the primary language of instruction.

Experts see the continued growth of private, international schools in China as many Chinese parents see this experience as beneficial for their children who want to pursue higher education studies abroad, especially in popular universities in the West. 

Meanwhile, another set of data from an international school consulting firm based in China, puts the total of international schools at 987, which includes 443 private schools, 367 international curriculum-focused public schools, 117 exclusively for foreign passport holders 60 schools/centers run by local colleges and universities. Of this total, 49 began operations only this year.

“The growth of international education in China is projected to increase dramatically as student population rises and demand for quality education surges in a growing middle class in China. We are excited to be able to provide a platform for private and international schools stakeholders in areas such as finding the right local partner, managing barriers and risks of entering a new market, teacher recruitment and other important considerations,” said Rhona, Greenhill, co-founder, International and Private Schools Education Forum (IPSEF), organizers of the event that will take place on 23-26 April 2018 at the Andaz Xintiandi Hotel, Shanghai.

In China, pre-primary education is mostly provided by private school operators, where over half of children are enrolled, according to the China country focus of Education at a Glance 2017, a report published by the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD). 

Dipont, a leading Chinese educational services company focusing on the delivery of international curricula and educational enrichment programs for Chinese students, has come on board as strategic partner for the IPSEF Asia event. “We see this partnership as another value-added service for Chinese schools that will enable them to navigate the opportunities and challenges that lie ahead through insights that will be shared by local and international experts at the forum,” said Jeff Zhu, Vice President, Dipont.

Registration to attend the event is expected to be high, so interested schools and individuals can now reserve their spot by visiting www.ipsef.net