Three years ago, when my husband and I made the decision to move from Australia to Bali, one of our top priorities was finding the right school for our daughter, Sophie. We both work remotely—Mark runs a small tech consulting firm, and I manage a travel blog—so we were fortunate to have some flexibility when it came to choosing the best environment for her education. After lots of research and conversations with other expat families, we decided to enroll Sophie at Sekolah Bali Hati.
Like many of you, we were drawn to its mission: quality education with a focus on compassion, inclusivity, and community. It seemed like the perfect place for Sophie to grow both academically and emotionally. However, after three years at Bali Hati, things have taken a turn, and we’re not sure how much longer we can justify keeping her there.
Here are five reasons why we’ve started rethinking our daughter’s future at Sekolah Bali Hati.
Table of Contents
1. Teacher Turnover: What’s Going On?
One of the first warning signs we noticed this year was the constant turnover of teachers. Sophie is in her first year of primary school (SD), and in just six months, she’s already had three different teachers. Now, we understand that life happens—teachers might leave for personal reasons or career changes—but three in six months?
It’s unsettling. Sophie comes home from school confused and frustrated. Each time she starts to bond with a teacher, that person is replaced. The newest teacher seems nice enough, but they’re clearly struggling to find their footing. The inconsistency is affecting not just the quality of instruction, but also Sophie’s sense of stability.
Are other kids experiencing this too? We’ve heard from a few parents that they’re seeing the same pattern in their children’s classes. Is Bali Hati doing enough to ensure teachers stay long-term, or is this just the beginning of a revolving door of staff?
2. Basic Resources Falling Short
I’ll never forget the day Sophie came home and casually mentioned that her class didn’t have enough textbooks. Apparently, some kids have books, and the rest are told to make photocopies. My first reaction was disbelief. At Sekolah Bali Hati, with the tuition fees we’re paying, are they seriously telling parents to make photocopies of schoolbooks?
I know that Bali Hati is a school with strong values, but a shortage of basic learning materials shouldn’t be one of the compromises we have to make. Sophie didn’t seem too phased by it at first—she’s adaptable—but as a parent, it felt like a red flag. Are these signs that the school is struggling with larger financial issues?
I understand education isn’t just about textbooks, but when the bare minimum isn’t met, it makes you question what else might be falling through the cracks.
3. Two Teachers for a Class of 30?
Initially, Sophie’s class had three teachers, which gave us peace of mind knowing that the student-teacher ratio was balanced. However, over the past few months, the school cut that down to two teachers, leaving us wondering: why the reduction?
We were assured that Bali Hati prioritizes small class sizes and individualized attention, but when there are two teachers managing nearly 30 students, it’s hard to believe they can give the attention each child needs. Sophie’s been coming home more frustrated than usual. She’s always been a curious, energetic child, but now she feels lost in the shuffle.
This shift has left us asking: Is this reduction due to budget constraints? Are teachers being overworked and underpaid? Whatever the reason, it’s the children who are paying the price for these changes.
4. Where’s the Money Going?
One of the things that attracted us to Sekolah Bali Hati was their commitment to community and inclusion, especially their programs for children with autism. Mark and I felt good knowing that by enrolling Sophie in Bali Hati, we were also supporting these causes.
But lately, we’ve started wondering where all our money is going. With almost a thousand students at the school and a hefty tuition bill each year, it doesn’t add up that there aren’t enough basic resources like textbooks or sufficient teaching staff. Bali Hati also receives a fair number of donations, so where is the money being invested?
We’d love to see more transparency from the school regarding how funds are being allocated. If programs are being cut, salaries reduced, and resources are scarce, what’s happening behind the scenes?
5. Is Mediocrity Becoming the New Standard?
When we first visited Bali Hati, we were impressed by their focus on both academic excellence and emotional growth. Sophie thrived during her first couple of years—she was excited to go to school every morning and would come home bubbling over with new ideas and stories. But this year, something has shifted.
It’s hard to pinpoint exactly when it started, but the overall quality of education at Sekolah Bali Hati seems to be slipping. Sophie’s enthusiasm has dulled, and I can’t help but feel like the school’s priorities have changed. Once, Bali Hati felt like a place that celebrated curiosity and critical thinking. Now, it feels like they’re just going through the motions, providing what I’d call a “passable” education rather than striving for excellence.
We’re left wondering: Is this just a temporary blip, or is Bali Hati settling for mediocrity?
Our Family’s Next Steps
Mark and I have always been open to the idea that education is a journey—there will be ups and downs along the way. But the downs we’re seeing at Sekolah Bali Hati this year have been hard to ignore. We’ve started talking about whether it’s time to explore other schooling options in Bali. Sophie deserves an education that doesn’t just meet the minimum standard, but one that pushes her to grow and succeed.
Leaving Bali Hati isn’t a decision we’ll make lightly. It’s not easy to walk away from a school we once believed in so strongly. We’ve loved the community and the friendships Sophie has made here. But at the end of the day, our priority is ensuring she gets the best education possible. And right now, we’re not sure Sekolah Bali Hati is delivering on that promise.
Have any of you had similar experiences? We’d love to hear from other parents—whether your child is thriving or facing challenges like Sophie. We’re all in this together, trying to figure out what’s best for our kids.
