Taipei: The Kaohsiung Finland International School (KSFIS), an English-language instruction international school, held its opening ceremony at Kaohsiung City Qianjin Elementary School on Tuesday. The school offers education from kindergarten through high school and accepts only students who hold foreign passports, according to the school's profile.
According to Focus Taiwan, annual tuition is NT$500,000 (US$15,775) for elementary school, NT$600,000 for middle school, and NT$700,000 for high school. The school opened with more than 20 students from countries including the United States, Australia, and Japan, ranging from first through seventh grade, according to local media.
Lauri Raunio, head of the Finland Trade Center in Taiwan, highlighted the increase in Finnish nationals working in Taiwan and noted Finland's approach to education, which emphasizes learning experiences over evaluations. The decision to establish the school in Kaohsiung was influenced by the city's transformation from an industrial center to a high-tech hub, attracting more foreign residents.
The establishment of KSFIS received support from the Kaohsiung City Education Bureau, in line with the city's growing demand for international talent and diverse educational options due to the development of semiconductor, artificial intelligence, and advanced manufacturing industries. The city government believes the school will foster educational exchanges between Taiwan and Finland and provide more options for international families.
KSFIS is situated in an independent academic building within the Qianjin Elementary School campus. Liu Ching-wen, deputy director of the Kaohsiung City Education Bureau, mentioned that the local elementary school is providing space and sharing resources with KSFIS. The Finnish school will offer student-centered, full-English international education, incorporating Finnish educational methods and the philosophy of the International Baccalaureate (IB).
The school has applied to become an IB candidate school, aiming to achieve IB authorization by 2027. Once authorized, students will receive internationally recognized credentials, enhancing their opportunities for university applications abroad.