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International Schools Sarawak Cambridge IGCSE

Yayasan Sarawak International Secondary School.

Primary and Secondary school in Kuching, Sarawak, East Malaysia (Borneo)

Yayasan Sarawak International Secondary School (YSISS) Kuching is the only international school in Malaysia offering free tuition for B40 low-income families. Opened 11 March 2024 at Mile 12, Petra Jaya, the flagship campus has 318 students with 80% in boarding. Fees are income-tiered: B40 free, M40 RM 1,200/year, T20 RM 4,200/year, all inclusive of tuition, textbooks and meals. Student composition is 55.4% B40, 32.3% M40, 12.3% T20. Cambridge IGCSE curriculum. SMIPS code YUBQ001.

Verified from SMIPS, MOE Malaysia

School Information

Registration Code YUBL004
School Type International Schools
Curriculum Cambridge IGCSE
Level Kindergarten through Year 13 (ages 13-18)
Medium of Instruction English
Website ysiss.edu.my
Annual Fees Mid-Range range (RM 30,000 – RM 60,000)Estimated
Accreditation Cambridge International
Languages English
Gender Co-educational
Boarding Yes
Address LOT 449, Jalan Casuarina Petra Jaya Kuching 93050 Sarawak
Postcode 93050
State Sarawak, East Malaysia (Borneo)
Phone 016-4018313
Email ysie313@gmail.com
Registered With Ministry of Education Malaysia (SMIPS)

About Yayasan Sarawak International Secondary School Kuching

YSISS Kuching opened on 11 March 2024 as the flagship campus of the Yayasan Sarawak education network, a foundation established in 1971 to advance educational access across Sarawak. The school occupies a purpose-built campus at Mile 12, Petra Jaya, and enrolled 318 students in its opening cohort. What makes YSISS unprecedented in Malaysia is its income-tiered fee model: B40 families pay zero tuition, with all costs covered by the foundation. No other international school in the country offers this.

The student composition reflects this mission. Over half the student body (55.4%) comes from B40 households earning below RM 4,850 per month. M40 students make up 32.3% and T20 students 12.3%. Roughly 80% of students board on campus, which means YSISS draws from across Sarawak rather than serving only Kuching families. B40 boarders also receive a free laptop, removing the device barrier that often limits participation in technology-integrated learning.

Curriculum at Yayasan Sarawak International Secondary School Kuching

YSISS delivers the Cambridge IGCSE curriculum in English, preparing students for internationally recognised examinations. Bahasa Melayu is compulsory. The campus has 20 classrooms equipped with interactive smartboards and 6 dedicated science laboratories, giving the IGCSE programme the physical infrastructure to deliver practical science at a level comparable to better-resourced urban schools.

The school follows a CARE values framework: Character, Achievement, Responsibility and Excellence. This pastoral structure underpins the academic programme, with particular emphasis on building confidence and aspiration among the B40 cohort, many of whom are the first in their families to access international-standard education.

Fees at Yayasan Sarawak International Secondary School Kuching

The income-based fee structure is the defining feature of YSISS. The school fees guide explains how fee structures vary across Malaysian international schools, but YSISS sits in a category of its own.

Household IncomeAnnual FeeIncludes
B40 (below RM 4,850/month)FREETuition, textbooks, meals, boarding
M40 (RM 4,851 - RM 10,970)RM 1,200Tuition, textbooks, meals
T20 (above RM 10,970)RM 4,200Tuition, textbooks, meals

Even the T20 rate of RM 4,200 per year is a fraction of what typical international schools charge. This is possible because Yayasan Sarawak underwrites the full operating cost through foundation endowment and state government support.

Facilities at Yayasan Sarawak International Secondary School Kuching

The Petra Jaya campus includes:

  • 20 smartboard-equipped classrooms
  • 6 science laboratories
  • Boarding hostel (80% of students residential)
  • Canteen and dining facilities
  • Free laptops issued to B40 students

Admissions at Yayasan Sarawak International Secondary School Kuching

Admission is merit-based. Students must pass the YSISS Entrance Assessment, with primary intake at Year 7. Household income documentation determines fee classification. The school prioritises Sarawakian students but the merit-based model means places are competitive regardless of income tier.

Yayasan Sarawak International Secondary School Kuching in Sarawak

YSISS Kuching is in Kuching, the capital of Sarawak. The campus at Petra Jaya is north of the Sarawak River, connected to central Kuching by the Petra Jaya Bridge. Sarawak has 10 registered international schools. The Sarawak international schools directory covers all options.

Contact: 016-816 2441, enquiry@ysiss.edu.my, ysiss.edu.my.

Questions about Yayasan Sarawak International Secondary School.

How much does YSISS Kuching cost?

Fees are based on household income. B40 families (household income below RM 4,850/month) pay nothing. M40 families (RM 4,851 to RM 10,970) pay RM 1,200 per year. T20 families (above RM 10,970) pay RM 4,200 per year. All tiers include tuition, textbooks and daily meals.

Is YSISS really free for low-income families?

Yes. YSISS Kuching is fully funded by Yayasan Sarawak (established 1971) for B40 students. This includes tuition, textbooks, meals and boarding. B40 students also receive a free laptop. As of 2024, 55.4% of the student body comes from B40 households, confirming that the majority of places go to low-income families.

What curriculum does YSISS Kuching follow?

YSISS delivers the Cambridge IGCSE curriculum in English. Students are prepared for Cambridge examinations that are recognised internationally for university admission. The school also teaches Bahasa Melayu as a compulsory subject.

Does YSISS Kuching offer boarding?

Yes. Approximately 80% of students board at the Petra Jaya campus. The boarding programme operates on a full-residential model with meals, supervision and structured evening study included. This allows YSISS to serve students from across Sarawak, not just Kuching.

How do students get admitted to YSISS?

Admission is merit-based through the YSISS Entrance Assessment. The school primarily admits students at Year 7. Income documentation is required to determine the fee tier (B40, M40 or T20). The campus has 20 smartboard classrooms and 6 science labs to support the IGCSE programme.

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