Hi,

I'm moving to Kunming with my son for 12 months in 2015.

I've looked into schooling in Kunming and cannot afford the International school, he is interested in going to a local school which I think would be great.

He is 13 (Year 7) and knows very basic Mandarin.

I am also looking for a 2 bedroom apartment to rent, for 6-12 months.

If there are any suggestions or advice, it would be greatly appreciated.

Foreign children can be enrolled in a local schools, you need to visit a local school where you will live to discuss with them. Look for a school that is tougher on their Mandarin policy.

The cost is roughly 10,000rmb a year.

I've been told that schooling was free for Chinese kids until the end of Middle School, am I wrong?

How about if the child has one Chinese parent? Is it still 10,000?

If you have a chinese 'hukou' for the kid(s) maybe it's free for your kid but I doubt it.

for a Chinese kid, some time you need to pay, some time not. we are Chinese, our Hukous (the registered place for living, where you have full citizenship) are not in Kunming, but my daughter got enrolled in primary school without pay.

if you have a foreign expert certificate issued by the Chinese govenment, things will be easier. but even if not, as long as the parent had a working visa, chances are your kid can get enrolled in a school, and most school welcoming a foreign kid since they think it helps rise the school's international image. the charge is 6000rmb a semester in Shanghai middle school, but don't know what the charge is in Kunming.

you can contact me for go through these matters, including rentting an apartment. my email: [email protected] thanks!