Edarabia had the opportunity to interview Dr. Wendy Yee, Principal of Soka International School Malaysia (SISM), to discuss the school’s vision, challenges, and strategies for student success in 2025 and beyond. Dr. Yee shared insightful perspectives on fostering a humanistic educational environment and preparing students for a rapidly evolving world.
In 2025, our focus at Soka International School Malaysia will be on continuously building staff capacity. While our teachers are highly experienced and dedicated, we recognise that education is always evolving, and each generation of students comes with new needs and challenges. To remain a progressive school that truly cares for our students’ growth and development, we must ensure our educators are always learning and adapting. At the same time, we will be consolidating our programs and activities to strengthen their impact, keeping them aligned with our core philosophy of humanistic education.
Each year, we align our academic focus with Cambridge Assessment International Education (CAIE) standards to ensure excellence. We also stay updated on societal trends to equip students with relevant skills, especially in technology, climate change, and global issues. Most importantly, all learning is rooted in our core philosophy—that education’s true purpose is to create value. We aim for students to not only gain knowledge but to use it wisely to contribute to society and humanity.
Over the next five years, a key challenge in education will be balancing technology and AI use while ensuring students develop fundamental skills like reading, writing, problem-solving, and critical thinking. Over-reliance on AI may hinder independent thinking, making students passive users rather than active learners. Instant access to answers can stifle creativity and human potential if not managed well. Educators must focus on integrating technology as a tool for learning while fostering essential human skills. Without this balance, students may struggle to function independently and lose the ability to innovate and adapt in a rapidly changing world.
To keep students engaged in learning, especially those who struggle or seem unmotivated, we first identify the root causes, whether past trauma, learning disabilities, mental health challenges, lack of confidence, or distractions from gadgets. There is no one-size-fits-all solution, so we provide tailored support through our strong pastoral and counselling teams for emotional, mental health, and behavioural issues. Additionally, our teachers undergo regular professional development to enhance their pedagogical approaches, classroom management, and differentiated learning strategies, ensuring that every student receives the support they need to thrive.
Our school ensures all students feel welcome and have equal opportunities to succeed by fostering a culture of grit, respect, and appreciation (GREAT). We embrace diversity and inclusivity, ensuring no discrimination based on faith, ethnicity, nationality, or cultural background. Mutual respect is practiced daily, with students and teachers greeting one another and building positive relationships. Every student is encouraged to participate in school events and activities, with equal opportunities provided for all. Most importantly, we take the time to know each student as an individual, avoiding stereotypes and personalizing our approach to support their growth and success.
Our school takes a proactive approach to student stress and bullying with strong support systems in place. We have two counselling rooms, a dedicated pastoral team, and a buddy system to ensure students feel supported by both peers and staff. Our student-led well-being committee, under the student council, designs initiatives to help classmates manage stress and address challenges, including bullying. With small class sizes, teachers can better understand each student’s needs and work as a team to provide personalized support. Social-Emotional Learning (SEL) is integrated into daily routines, teaching stress management and coping strategies. Bullying in any form is strictly prohibited, with clear consequences, including suspension or expulsion in severe cases. Students are empowered to recognize, report, and stand against bullying, reinforcing our core values of respect and humanistic education, nurturing kind, compassionate individuals.
We help students build essential skills for life after graduation by focusing on both technical (hard) skills and soft (human) skills. Technical skills such as technology, AI, research, writing, communication, and comprehension are taught to keep students prepared for an evolving world. Equally important are soft skills like creativity, adaptability, critical thinking, problem-solving, resilience, courage, and compassion, which shape well-rounded individuals. These skills are nurtured through daily classroom interactions, co-curricular activities, clubs, societies, sports, field trips, experiential learning, community engagement, and our Global Citizenship Program. By integrating both aspects, we ensure students are equipped to succeed academically, professionally, and as compassionate global citizens.
We believe that a strong partnership between parents, the community, and the school is essential for providing a truly holistic education. Parents play a crucial role in shaping a child’s growth, and it is vital that they share the same values and expectations as the school. To foster this alignment, we hold regular one-on-one meetings with parents to discuss their child’s progress, as well as collaborative discussions for students facing challenges, ensuring joint efforts in their support. Additionally, we engage parents through seminars, coffee talks, and formal meetings to update them on school initiatives and address their concerns. We welcome feedback and suggestions from parents, valuing their input in making the school better. Recognizing the importance of a healthy family environment, we also provide family therapy sessions with a licensed clinical psychologist to support families facing difficulties, as stable home life is crucial for a child’s success in school. By working together, we create a supportive environment where students thrive academically, emotionally, and socially.
We develop a school culture that attracts and retains great teachers by fostering respect, appreciation, and a strong sense of purpose in their profession. At Soka International School Malaysia (SISM), we deeply value our teachers, recognizing that their dedication and hard work often go unnoticed. While student achievements are widely celebrated, we make it a priority to acknowledge and celebrate teachers, not just through formal recognition but also in everyday interactions, where gratitude and appreciation are part of the school culture. To ensure teachers feel supported, we maintain an understanding and compassionate school management that listens to teachers’ concerns, provides opportunities for professional growth, and actively works to prevent burnout. Our clear founding principles and school mottoes, given by our school founder, Dr. Daisaku Ikeda, serve as a guiding light, helping teachers find deep meaning in their role as educators. These principles foster a family-like environment where teachers feel a strong sense of belonging and mission.
Yes, teachers at Soka International School Malaysia (SISM) have ample opportunities for growth and leadership roles. We recognize and nurture teachers’ strengths, allowing them to advance from regular teaching positions to roles such as Head of Subject, Head of Department, Academic Director, Senior Director, Year Group Coordinator, and other administrative or managerial positions. We believe in empowering teachers by providing them with the flexibility and autonomy to demonstrate their talents and skills in leadership. At SISM, leadership is not just about titles but about creating a culture where teachers feel valued and trusted to take initiative and contribute meaningfully to the school’s growth. A great school thrives on a strong team of teachers, whose competencies are recognized, celebrated, and developed through continuous leadership opportunities.
There is no single after-school activity that has the biggest impact on a student’s future, it depends on each student’s unique interests and talents. For a student passionate about music, joining a music band or orchestra could be the most impactful, helping them refine their skills for a professional career. Likewise, a student with a talent for visual arts may benefit most from the creative arts club, which nurtures their artistic abilities. This is why our school offers a diverse range of after-school activities, ensuring every student has the opportunity to develop their strengths and reach their full potential. By embracing diversity and inclusivity, we empower students to explore their passions and build skills that will shape their future success.
As a Principal, success is seeing my students truly happy, confident in their abilities, and committed to discovering and honing their unique potential. It is when they pursue their dreams with passion while remaining humble, respectful, appreciative, and wise in character. True success is when they understand that education is not just about personal achievement but about creating value and contributing to the happiness of others. It is also when my teachers feel valued, supported, and empowered to nurture every student’s growth, and when our school stays true to its founding principles and mission. When our students thrive, our teachers flourish, and our school remains a place of purpose and inspiration—that is the greatest success to me.
Be a genuine and noble teacher, for the transformation of one dedicated educator can inspire generations, shaping countless lives and uplifting the world.
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