Sarawak Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg launched the Yayasan Sarawak International Secondary School (YSISS) on August 24, 2017, during his opening remarks at the Sarawak State Legislative Assembly meeting.
The desire to provide high-quality educational opportunities to Sarawakian children, especially those in the B40 group, who are interested in and have the potential to advance their knowledge, drove the establishment of this international school.
Yayasan Sarawak provides full scholarships to B40 students at the Yayasan Sarawak International School, Petra Jaya (YSISSPJ). Students in the M40 category are eligible for a financial subsidy that covers school tuition, first-year school uniforms, textbooks, daily meals, and other expenses.
The entry requirements include the pupil and/or one of the parents being a Sarawak native, a minimum Band 4 for “Pentaksiran Bilik Darjah”, and the pupil sitting for the YSISS Entrance Assessment prior to admission. The Entrance Assessment date and details will be announced on the YSISSPJ Facebook page and official website.
The classroom Teaching and Learning system is an adaptation of the International General Certificate of Secondary Education from the University of Cambridge International Examinations (IGCSE).
As part of its international ICGSE system, Cambridge Board offers six primary ICGSE programmes — English, Science, Mathematics, Computing, Global Perspective, and Art and Design.
Apart from international subjects, national subjects such as Bahasa Melayu, Sejarah, Pendidikan Islam or Pendidikan Moral, and Pendidikan Jasmani dan Kesihatan are also available.
The first Yayasan Sarawak International Secondary School opened its doors on April 3, 2022, in Petra Jaya. To date, 115 of the 200 pupils have accepted the offer and have begun their studies.
Four more international schools will be built in Kuching, Sibu, Bintulu, and Miri to broaden Sarawakian children’s exposure to international education and help Sarawak achieve its goal of becoming a developed state by 2030.
