If an international school is not an option, or you want to immerse your children completely in the culture of their host country, then you may opt for a local school.
31% of respondents to the Internations expat insider survey stated that they choose to send their children to a local state school, followed by 21% who opted for a local private schools.
Unlike international schools, it is more likely that an expat child will be in a minority in the local school environment, and initially may not have the reassurance of familiarity with their peers.
Most local schools will teach in their local language, as this may create additional difficulty for expat children, many parents will not opt for local schooling if their move is temporary.
The quality of education within local schools will vary greatly and they are less likely to follow a curriculum or syllabus similar to that which an expat child has been used to in their home country. Moreover, academic qualifications may not be transferable, and therefore may not be recognised if children move to another educational establishment in the future.
If an expat families move overseas is permanent, local schools may be the preferred option as children become completely immersed in their new environment, learning the language and developing friendships with local children.
Ultimately making the choice between an international and local school is difficult, and will depend on an expat families circumstances and the current and future educational needs of their children.