Overseas Education struggles to keep foreign students as expats move to Iskandar

Enrolment is steadily dropping.

Overseas Education reported lower student enrolment numbers in the third quarter, with new registrations for the first nine months of the year coming in at 545 students compared to 695 a year ago.

According to CIMB, the company is suffering because more expats are choosing to educate their kids in international schools across the Causeway.

“Besides the subdued macroeconomic outlook, foreign system schools like OEL not only face competition within Singapore, but also from international schools across the Causeway such as Marlborough College and Excelsior International,” CIMB said.

Some expats are choosing Malaysian schools because of cheaper school fees, more affordable cost of living and larger facilities.

“We believe these will pose headwinds in the long term,” CIMB said.