BINTULU: Education is a vital and universal element that can change  lives, noted Bintulu Development Authority (BDA) general manager Rodziah Morshidi.

“I believe that nothing beats education; it is education that will make a person’s life better,” she said at the topping-up ceremony of Bintulu International School (BIS) at Kidurong Sentral  site yesterday.

Among those present were ELC Board of Governors chairperson Margaret Ann Kaloo, BIS Board of Directors chairperson Datuk Hatta Solhi, ELC Board of Directors Dr Umasuthan Kaloo, BIS principal Asha Kaloo, Menawan Megah Sdn Bhd managing director Danny Tiong and Menawan Megah Sdn Bhd director Kay Kong Sau Yen.

She said the establishment of the first international school in Bintulu was relevant with Bintulu’s international and business communities from around the world.

BIS is a joint venture between ELC International School and Vital Focus Group (VFG).

ELC stands for Excellence, Loyalty and Commitment which are values that can drive a person to be someone.

“I feel that this is going to be a good school in Bintulu, and the word ‘affordable’ was mentioned a few times by Margaret in her speech just now, so for parents wanting their children to get the best education, this is a good choice,” said Rodziah.

She thanked ELC and its partner for choosing Bintulu and hoped this school will be another milestone for the people here.

BIS will open its doors to its first batch of students in September this year.

The school is situated on a 200-acre mixed township development at Kidurong Sentral constructed by Menawan Megah Sdn Bhd. It will sit on 7.2 acres of prime land.

Initially enrolment into the school will be for children aged four years old entering Reception until nine years old entering Year 5.

The Year 5’s who join BIS in the 2017/18 academic year will sit for the Year 11 IGCSE Examinations in 2023/24.

At BIS, the children follow a broad and varied curriculum based on the National Curriculum for England and Wales.

ELC will ensure that teaching embodies the best practices of the United Kingdom and Malaysia.

The school’s ethos will be steeped in Asian values and flavours of self-discipline, integrity and pursuit of excellence among teachers and students.

Students at ELC are subjected to high expectations in and out of the classroom.

Hard work, commitment and perseverance are reinforced with a firm structured system of nurturing students. Courtesy, concern for others and care for the environment are encouraged while a firm stand taken against negative social behaviour.

The senior management team from ELC believes a disciplined and traditional approach to education, coupled with a conducive learning environment and positive parental involvement lead to academic success.

For nearly 30 years, ELC has pursued a single objective: the development of its students into confident and responsible young men and women who attain the highest levels of success academically and in all facets of their lives.