‘City to get 10 more international schools in the next five years’

Chennai: With parents wanting to enrol kids in foreign universities and colleges, the demand for international schools that offer curriculums such as International Baccalaureate (IB) and Cambridge is rising. The city will get 10 more international schools in the next five years, according to the Association of International Schools of India (TAISI)."The city now has 30 international schools. It is emerging as a hub for international education, alongside Bengaluru and Hyderabad," said Syed Sultan Ahmed, chairperson of TAISI. In 2024, international school enrolments across India crossed 4.16lakh. "More schools in Chennai and tier-2 cities are seeking affiliation to meet this demand," he added.The growing interest in global curriculum is underscored by the recent launch of Lycée Français, an Indo-French school in the city. However, high fees and limited awareness remain challenges for many parents. For some, the switch to international schools is seen as a better investment. "I spent 2 lakh a year on CBSE schooling, but there was little emphasis on creativity or problem-solving," said Archana Sharma, a resident of Nungambakkam, who recently enrolled her son in an IB school. Similarly, Anil R from KK Nagar said, "We're considering enrolling our daughter in a Cambridge curriculum because it aligns better with our aspirations for her future."To keep up with demand, schools are focusing on staff development. "A significant portion of our budget goes toward teacher training, especially for Cambridge diploma courses," said S Sujatha, principal of Vaels International School. However, finding qualified teachers remains a challenge. "Teachers need more than subject knowledg — they require empathy, adaptability and strong communication skills," she added.Additionally, strict teacher-student ratios of 1:30 restrict admissions. "Our inquiries grow every year, but it takes time to build a team of qualified teachers," said S Radha, principal of SV High. Efforts are also underway to align global curriculums with local requirements. "Tamil Nadu mandates teaching Tamil, and we offer foundational courses until high school to ensure compliance while maintaining global standards," said Prem Shankar, president of the Cambridge Schools Association Tamil Nadu.