Latest news with #GIIS
Japan Forward
22-05-2025
- Science
- Japan Forward
Indian Education Diplomacy: A Thumbs Up in Japan
In recent developments, Indian international schools have gained growing popularity in Tokyo. This opens a new strand of India's soft power diplomacy in Japan through education. A branch of the Global Indian International School (GIIS), in Edogawa ward, has gained traction due to the unique style of teaching. For example, recently, a fifth-grade student discussed a pressing geographical topic about where we can find Greenland on the map, and the island's coordinates were used to show how maps and the Global Positioning System work. As of January 2025, Edogawa was home to 7,484 Indians, or about 40% of the Indians living in Tokyo. The population has grown nearly fortyfold over 25 years. Currently, GIIS has four campuses in Tokyo's Edogawa Ward and a newly opened one in Osaka. This article explores the relevance of GIIS in expanding Indian soft power in Japan and how its educational outreach is gaining traction. GIIS Tokyo follows the International Baccalaureate (IB) curriculum, which is unlike traditional Japanese schools. All lessons at the school are conducted in English. Moreover, they are conducted with no textbooks. Lessons are structured around grade-specific themes such as "The time and place we live in" and "Ways to express ourselves." They integrate numerical exercises with geographical concepts within a single class. It does not follow a silo-based approach of separating subjects like mathematics and language. Artificial intelligence and robotics are some of the new areas that are included. (May 21, 2025 screenshot, GIIS Japan website.) The teaching also includes Indian-style arithmetic, which involves solving complex calculations in one's head. Parents hope this would improve their wards' science, math, and practical IT education. At the same time, the school does not teach in a way that only seeks correct answers because there is a conviction that there are no correct answers in the real world. Instead, it intends to raise future-ready citizens. As a result, these Indian-style international schools are attracting a growing number of Japanese students. GIIS is one of the top-rated Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT) accredited international K-12 schools. It sets high standards in educational frameworks, teaching methods, and outstanding academic performance. With the expansion of internet services around the 2000s, there was a rise in Indian international schools in Japan. This can be attributed to the movement of Indian IT engineers, ranging from those on project-by-project business trips to individuals moving to Japan with their families. GIIS Japan Higashi Kasai Campus. (May 21, 2025 screenshot, GIIS Japan website.) One consequence was a growing demand for the same educational curriculum as in India, so children could return to their home school system seamlessly. Then, in 2014, GIIS Tokyo opened, hoping to appeal to Indian families in Japan. After all, many of GIIS Tokyo's parents worked in the information technology and finance sectors. At the Tokyo campus, their children learned from Indian teachers, and for its first decade in operation, the school only used the Indian national curriculum. With the school's introduction of the IB curriculum in 2017, GIIS also began offering International Baccalaureate accreditation. However, its application depends on the grade level. Students start with the Indian curriculum in lower grades and move on to the IB curriculum in upper grades, if they choose. There is also an Indian curriculum that follows traditional Indian schools on campus. Japanese students make up 20% to 30% of those classes. Entrance exams test English and math skills from preschool, with science included from sixth grade. Since its inception, the number of Japanese applicants has grown, and campuses have increased from one to four. In FY2021, the number of Japanese students surpassed Indian students, accounting for 55% of the total student body. In FY2024, this figure stood at 78%. Many international schools in Japan are known for catering to wealthy Western expats, Japanese returnees, and children from multiracial or multicultural families. Within that mix, GIIS is increasingly attracting Japanese parents seeking an accessible international education for their children. According to the school, Japanese families and other expats are attracted by the holistic educational ecosystem and lower tuition fees, compared to legacy international schools. It helps that Japan's education ministry has designated the international schools as equivalent to Japanese high schools. This approval means that the students who graduate from these schools can take entrance exams for Japanese universities. It is just one of many reasons, however. GIIS Japan's Nishi Kasai campus. (May 21, 2025 screenshot, GIIS Japan website.) There is a strong emphasis on mathematics as well as science within an English-speaking environment in a culturally mixed community. And, its low fee structure and closer cultural similarity to Japanese schools make the GIIS system accessible for both Japanese parents and school operators. The necessity to expand the school beyond Indian students was rooted in the COVID crisis. Territorial borders were closed for almost two years, leading to a change in strategy. Dependence on Indian students necessarily stopped, and an effort was made to include the Japanese population. As a consequence, international schools' relevance increased exponentially. Until the pandemic, students and teachers at GIIS Tokyo were predominantly Indian. Today, however, nearly 60% of the student population at GIIS is Japanese. The Indian student population is roughly 30%. In terms of academic achievement, GIIS Tokyo students have been performing well with a commendable success rate. Apart from India's national educational curriculum (Central Board of Secondary Education), the school offers Montessori, IB, and Cambridge programs. This vastly expands GIIS students' options for continuation and enrollment in higher education worldwide. It has allowed GIIS students to go on to study at some of the best universities in the United States, the United Kingdom, India, Canada, Australia, Singapore, and Switzerland. In June 2024, GIIS Tokyo also offered its first Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT). A globally acknowledged standardized test, the SAT evaluates students' proficiency in reading, writing, and mathematics and provides a comprehensive assessment of their academic readiness. It also plays a crucial role in college admissions in the US and several other countries, including some universities in Japan. In a significant milestone, GIIS had a commendable turnout with 34 students participating in the rigorous evaluation. Out of these, 31 were from other schools. This impressive participation underscores GIIS's reputation for excellence in facilitating standardized testing. In September 2024, GIIS Tokyo students also achieved outstanding success at the Global Excellence Day (GED) 2024 and the inaugural Mock Conference of the Parties (COP) event, organized by the Global Centre for Education Excellence in Singapore. GIIS Tokyo students from the primary, middle, and senior levels participated in the GED and Mock COP. While GED serves as a platform for students to engage in Student Quality Circles and is a framework based on the principles of total quality management and continuous improvement within the Global Schools Group (GSG), the Mock COP was a simulation of the Global Climate Summit. It enabled students to discuss pressing climate issues and make collective decisions, mirroring real-world diplomacy. Through these initiatives, students collaborate to identify challenges and devise practical solutions that will help them improve their logical and analytical skills. They foster collaboration, critical thinking, and creativity among participants. Over 200 students across 18 campuses from five countries participated, and GIIS Tokyo students received multiple awards for their presentations and contributions. Seishincho Campus of GIIS Japan. (May 21, 2025 screenshot, GIIS Japan website.) The popularity of the Global Indian International School in Japan has been a noteworthy development from the prism of Indian Soft Power Diplomacy. It is also moving into the realm of new innovative tools of outreach. The expansion of its campuses and the inclusivity provided to the Japanese population serve as an opportunity for both the sustainability of their schools and increased cultural exchange and diversity. It is a win-win situation for all. Author: Varuna Shankar Varuna Shankar is an editorial manager at India's World , an online magazine.
The Mainichi
16-05-2025
- General
- The Mainichi
News in Easy English: Indian int'l school in Tokyo popular with Japanese families
TOKYO -- Many Japanese students now go to an Indian international school in Tokyo. More than half of the school's students are now Japanese. Parents like the school because classes are all in English, students get good math and science teaching, and the school's cost is low compared with other international schools. The school is called the Global Indian International School (GIIS). It first opened in Tokyo's Edogawa Ward in 2006 because many Indian families lived there. At that time, most students were Indian. But today about 55% of the students are Japanese, and around 35% are Indian. Others come from countries like China, South Korea, and Russia. There are about 1,400 students at GIIS, from ages 3 to 18. Classes at GIIS are all taught in English. Students have a strong math and science program. They can study other languages too, like French, Chinese, Hindi, and Tamil. They also take special classes about Indian culture, learning Indian music or traditional dance. GIIS students can choose many kinds of study, including the International Baccalaureate (IB). With an IB, students can enter universities easily in Japan or around the world. After graduating, many students continue their studies in Japan at good universities like Waseda or Keio, or go to other countries like the United States or Britain. GIIS is cheaper than most other international schools in Tokyo. GIIS costs around 1.2 million yen (about $8,400) each year. Other international schools usually cost two or three million yen. The school's principal Madhu Khanna said, "Japanese parents now see the good points of an international education. They want their children to grow up ready for global jobs in the future." (Japanese original by Ayane Matsuyama, Digital News Group; and Takayuki Hakamada, Matsuyama Bureau) Vocabulary international school: a school that teaches in English or other languages, often having students from many countries. popular: something many people like or choose. ward: a part or area of a big city. principal: the head teacher or leader of a school. tuition: money that parents pay for their children to study at school. graduate: complete school. university: a school after high school where students can learn higher-level subjects. culture: things special to a country, like music, dance, language, or traditions. traditional: older ways of doing things or styles coming from the past. International Baccalaureate (IB): a study program used by many schools around the world to enter universities in many countries. program: lessons organized to teach something clearly.
The Mainichi
05-05-2025
- General
- The Mainichi
Japanese children make up over 50% of students at Indian int'l school in Tokyo. Here's why
TOKYO -- The majority of students at an Indian international school in Tokyo are Japanese, and behind the school's popularity are its educational programs and tuition fees that are less expensive compared to other international schools. One recent afternoon, on the body of a bus that had stopped in the Harumi district of Tokyo's Chuo Ward, an area crowded with high-rise apartments, were letters in English that read, "Global Indian International School." This is a bus for students at the school located in Edogawa Ward. Global Indian International School (GIIS) was originally established for the children of Indians working in Japan, but most of the children alighting from the bus were Japanese, returning home with parents or caretakers. GIIS has become popular among those living in high-rise buildings in Tokyo's waterfront area, with Japanese now making up more than half of the student body. What has driven this rapid growth in popularity? From 1 campus to 4 GIIS opened its first campus in Japan in 2006 in Edogawa Ward's Nishi Kasai area with a significant Indian population. Initially, Indian students were the majority, but in the 2021 school year, the ratio reversed, with Japanese students going on to make up about 55% of overall students in the 2024 school year. Indian students accounted for around 35% of the total, with children from various backgrounds, including Chinese, South Korean and Russian, also attending. The number of campuses within the ward has grown from one to four. Currently, some 1,400 students aged between 3 and 18, equivalent to Japan's kindergarten through high school, attend GIIS. Principal Madhu Khanna explained about the popularity, "We have a growing number of students coming from the Tokyo Bay area including Toyosu and Harumi. This is because these areas attract expatriates, global minded local families, and also they have key residential locations for the student community. These areas are easily reachable to our school (by bus)." All classes in English At GIIS, all classes are conducted in English. When Mainichi Shimbun reporters visited a fifth-grade math class, the screen displayed, "Express the decimal 3.948 in words," with four options provided below. An Indian teacher encouraged the students to answer, saying, "Tell me which is the correct answer. Come on, I want more hands up!" prompting children to eagerly raise their hands. Indian education is known for its strong emphasis on mathematics, such as students easily handling two-digit multiplication, and GIIS also places a high priority on education in math and science from an early age. In addition to English, students can choose from French, Chinese, Hindi and Tamil as a second language class. GIIS also offers online programming lessons with teachers at its headquarters in Singapore, using specialized software, as well as unique classes that reflect its Indian heritage, such as instruction on playing the traditional Indian drum "tabla" and lessons on how to do the "Bharatanatyam" classical Indian dance. Student Yume Yoneda, 11, told the Mainichi in English, "For GIIS, I love the part that there's many things, and the organization is very good." She added, "When I become older, my dream is to go around the world, so I think there is a good point to be in this school." Another student Sota Kimura, 10, who hopes to attend a foreign university, also shared his aspirations in English, "I want to be a scientist. So I want to learn mathematics and science more." Global standard curricula Being able to choose from a variety of international curricula tailored to each family's educational philosophy and the child's interests and strengths seems to be another reason for GIIS's popularity. Interest among Japanese parents surged with the phased introduction of the International Baccalaureate (IB), a globally common educational program, starting in 2018. Graduates gain eligibility to take university entrance exams specialized in IB both domestically and internationally. They can also apply to multiple Japanese public universities that offer entrance exams specifically for IB graduates. Students can also pursue the Cambridge International General Certificate of Secondary Education (IGCSE), an international qualification that certifies the completion of secondary education. In addition to the two major international education curricula, IB and IGCSE, GIIS is recognized by Japan's Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology as offering an equivalent qualification to Japanese high schools, making domestic university entrance exams an option as well. The Indian curriculum, known as the Central Board of Secondary Education, is also available. It emphasizes critical thinking, entrepreneurship and innovation, aiming to equip students with the skills needed to tackle global challenges. Students' future paths are diverse. About 60% choose to attend universities in Japan, with top students entering prestigious institutions like Waseda, Keio and Sophia universities. Others opt for universities abroad such as in the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada and Australia, with a track record of admissions to prestigious institutions such as Boston University and the University of Manchester. 'Affordable' tuition also attracts parents According to GIIS, many of the students' parents are entrepreneurs, Japanese who have worked abroad, or individuals involved in jobs with strong international connections, such as foreign-affiliated companies and IT firms. The ability to easily transfer children to international schools in other countries if parents are relocated abroad, coupled with the hope that their children will succeed overseas in the future, also apparently contributes to the school's popularity. Principal Khanna emphasized that GIIS focuses on programs that develop children's communication and thinking skills and problem-solving abilities, adding, "More and more Japanese parents are recognizing the benefits of an international education, particularly its emphasis on English language proficiency, critical thinking, STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) and global perspectives which bring the students global aspects of things." Parents apparently "put a child in an international school so that the child is well prepared for the global future market." Another attractive aspect is the cost. GIIS tuition fees include a registration fee of 40,000 yen (about $280) and annual tuition starting at approximately 1.2 million yen (around $8,400) for elementary students. In contrast, tuition fees for other international schools in Tokyo, especially those with Western affiliations, typically range from 2 million to 3 million yen (roughly $14,000 to $20,000) a year, making GIIS relatively affordable for many parents. GIIS operates 64 schools across 11 countries, including South Korea, the Philippines, the United Arab Emirates, Singapore and Malaysia. The group has successfully reduced costs by streamlining operations across its network. A 33-year-old company worker living in Harumi has enrolled her eldest daughter, now 4, in nursery classes at GIIS since 2024. Having studied at a high school in the United States and frequently traveling overseas for work, she wanted her daughter to learn English from an early age. She appreciates the system to progress internally through high school, freeing her from the stress of entrance exams. "I want to provide diverse options so that after high school graduation, she can consider studying abroad," the mother said. Liu Xihe, a 40-year-old company employee from China also residing in Harumi, has been sending his 8-year-old eldest son to GIIS for three years. He explained, "Compared to American international schools, the tuition is affordable, making it manageable for a salaried family like ours. At the same time, I feel that the school has a strong focus on math and science, offering good value for cost." Liu's son attends a cram school to study subjects covered in Japan's compulsory education, such as Japanese language and math, and he apparently speaks English, Japanese and Chinese in daily life. However, not everyone can enroll in GIIS. Entrance exams assess age-appropriate English proficiency and understanding of mathematics from the preschool stage, with science added to the exams from the sixth grade. The school says that it evaluates whether students can adapt to an international learning environment and whether parents align with the school's philosophy. Despite concerns about Japan's rapidly aging population and the declining birth rate, Principal Khanna said that GIIS has positioned Japan as a country with future growth potential in its management strategy. "The decline of the birth rate may lead to higher per-child investment. So international education will become more attractive to parents," she said. "At the same time, there will be increased foreign workforce mobility and government policy to support foreign residents and even invites for foreign students to study in local universities. So this will most likely boost the demand for international schools. We see this as an opportunity to expand our offerings while maintaining affordability to local Japanese parents."
