Secondary Education for Refugees in Malaysia
Cambridge IGCSE and GED, taught online
When government secondary schools and SPM are closed, two doors stay open: Cambridge IGCSE and the GED. We help refugee students walk through them, with live online classes that reach them anywhere in Malaysia — taught by teachers who, for the most part, have walked the same road.
Why IGCSE and the GED, and not SPM
Registering for SPM, even as a private candidate, needs a Malaysian identity card number. Refugee, asylum-seeking and stateless students do not have one, and a UNHCR card does not count. Cambridge IGCSE and the GED carry no such requirement, and both are recognised outside Malaysia — which matters for a family whose resettlement case may take them somewhere else.
Secondary Education (IGCSE Preparation)
Our Secondary Education program is dedicated to preparing students for the International General Certificate of Secondary Education (IGCSE). Key features include:
Comprehensive Curriculum
We offer a wide range of subjects aligned with the IGCSE syllabus, ensuring students are well-prepared for their examinations.
Critical Thinking and Problem-Solving
Our teaching methods encourage students to develop analytical skills, enabling them to approach problems with confidence and creativity.
Personalized Learning
Many refugee students arrive with gaps from years out of school. Every student takes a placement test and gets a tailored learning plan that works on those gaps rather than around them.
Mock Examinations
Regular assessments and mock exams familiarize students with the exam format, reducing anxiety and enhancing performance on test day.
Higher Secondary Education (GED Preparation)
Our Higher Secondary program prepares refugee students for the General Educational Development (GED) test, a high-school equivalency that needs no school record and accepts a UNHCR card as ID for some candidates. Highlights include:
Flexible Learning Options
We provide an entirely online learning environment, allowing students to access materials and study at their own pace.
Skill Development
The curriculum emphasizes essential skills in reading, writing, mathematics, and science, equipping students for both the GED and future academic or career pursuits.
Self-Paced Study
Students can learn independently, using our comprehensive online resources to navigate their educational journey and achieve their goals.
College and Career Readiness
We prepare students not only for the GED but also for higher education and the workforce, offering resources for college applications and career exploration.
At Empower Learning System, our Secondary and Higher Secondary programs turn years of uncertainty into a recognised qualification — and give every refugee student the knowledge, skills and confidence to build a future upon it.
Where IGCSE can lead
Meerab Butt studied with ELS from primary level and completed her IGCSE with us, taking ICT and Computer Science. She went on to a Foundation in Mathematics and Computer Science, finishing with a CGPA of 3.44, and is now studying for an Associate Degree in Computer Science while working.
All of our secondary programmes are taught online. See how classes run, how they are kept safe and how progress is checked on the Online Secondary.
Not sure IGCSE is the right route?
For students between 12 and 16 who can attend regularly, IGCSE is what we recommend. Where schooling was interrupted, where a student is already past 16, or where the cost is out of reach, the GED is usually the better answer — and we teach it online, to students anywhere in Malaysia.