Passend Education Highly Gifted Center, Petaling Jaya
by on 04/09/2025 0
Highlights
- Malaysia’s first centre dedicated to nurturing gifted children
- Inspired by Dutch education, it balances happiness with academic excellence
- Its STEAM + SAGE curriculum uses games, projects, play, and emotional learning
- Parent workshops teach positive parenting to better support gifted kids
- Helps gifted learners thrive and empowers society with future innovators
In every school, there are children who think differently, learn faster, and feel more deeply than their peers. These children are gifted — a group often misunderstood, under-challenged, and at risk of disengaging from school. In Malaysia, support for gifted students is scarce. Yet, one centre in Petaling Jaya is changing this narrative.
Passend Education, the country’s pioneering institution for gifted learners, is not just another tuition centre. It is a transformative space designed to recognise, nurture, and empower gifted children (aged 4-18) so that they thrive in academics and in life.
What Giftedness Really Means
Giftedness is more than a high IQ score. It is the innate ability to master skills or knowledge far faster than most peers, coupled with traits like deep curiosity, creativity, and intensity. However, these very strengths often create challenges. Gifted children may feel isolated, struggle with perfectionism, or become disruptive when bored.
As TJ Van Der Molen, CEO and ECHA Specialist at Passend, explains:
“Being gifted is not just about being smart in a subject. Their brains work faster, but their emotions can be fragile. They can go from super happy to deeply sad in seconds. Without guidance, this intensity becomes overwhelming.” This understanding lies at the heart of Passend Education — that giftedness is not a problem to be fixed but a strength to be nurtured.
A Dutch Legacy in Malaysia
The word Passend is Dutch. It means “tailored, fitting, inclusive, fair, and progressive” — a philosophy at the core of Dutch education, where children are consistently ranked among the happiest in the world.
Passend Education in Malaysia is a direct extension of Bright Kids Netherlands, founded by Willeke Rol, a pioneer in gifted education and author of several books used by thousands of educators in Europe.
TJ, her son, knows the struggles of being gifted firsthand. A former school dropout in the Netherlands, he later excelled when given freedom to learn at his own pace. His personal journey, coupled with his daughter’s similar challenges in Malaysia, inspired him to bring the Dutch model here.
“I couldn’t find proper support for my daughter in Malaysia. That’s when I realised gifted kids here have almost no recourse. Passend Education was born out of that need — to make sure no child falls through the cracks like I almost did.”
Tailored Learning for Gifted Minds
At Passend, every lesson is built on four cornerstones: games, affective learning, play, and projects. The curriculum blends STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts & Math) with SAGE (Sports, Academics, Games, Emotions & Empathy), ensuring children grow not just intellectually but socially and emotionally.
Unique Approaches at Passend:
- Smart Games develop GRIT — Growth mindset, Resilience, Indomitability, Thoroughness.
- Affective Lessons teach emotional regulation, mindfulness, and empathy.
- Playground Experiences help children practice social interaction and teamwork.
- Project-Based Learning lets students explore passions while naturally picking up essential skills like maths or writing.
“We are far more focused on teaching kids how to study for themselves than spoon-feeding them content. When children take ownership of learning, they discover joy in it. That’s where true success begins.” – TJ Van Der Molen
Each class is small — capped at 10 students — to ensure personalised attention. Teachers, all with advanced degrees, are trained to adapt creatively to individual needs. “Our classes aren’t just about doing maths or English,” TJ adds. “If a child wants to write a psychology paper, we’ll use that to teach statistics. Learning becomes meaningful when it connects to their passion.”
Supporting Parents and Families
Passend Education knows that guiding gifted children also means guiding their parents. Gifted kids often feel emotions more strongly, so how parents respond can deeply affect their confidence. To help, Passend runs parent education workshops that teach families how to communicate effectively and set healthy expectations.
“Many challenges come from well-meaning parents,” TJ explains. “Saying well done sounds positive, but it pressures results. When children struggle, their confidence crumbles. Instead, we teach parents to praise effort — I love how hard you’re working — which builds resilience and a growth mindset.”
This parent-inclusive approach ensures consistency between home and school. Families learn to manage emotions, give constructive feedback, and celebrate progress in healthier ways — helping gifted children grow with confidence and balance.
Real Impact on Students
The results speak for themselves. Gifted children who once disengaged from school rediscover their love for learning. Some overcome crippling perfectionism, others learn to make friends for the first time, and many build the resilience to handle life’s challenges.
One parent shared that her son, once isolated and anxious, finally played football with classmates after practicing social skills at Passend. Another student said, “I know these games are hard for me sometimes, but if I don’t give up here, it helps me at school too.”
Why Passend Matters to Society
Gifted children are often called “the Bill Gates or Walt Disneys of tomorrow.” But without the right guidance, many become school dropouts, underachievers, or even face mental health struggles.
“Schools that embrace gifted education save lives, literally,” TJ says. “The impact extends beyond the gifted kids. When teachers learn these methods, the whole classroom benefits.”
By helping gifted students thrive, Passend contributes to a stronger society — one enriched with innovators, leaders, and emotionally balanced individuals.
A Place Where Gifted Kids Belong
Passend Education is more than a centre — it is a movement to transform education in Malaysia. With Dutch expertise, a child-centred approach, and a mission to nurture both intellect and heart, Passend ensures gifted children are no longer overlooked but celebrated.
As TJ beautifully puts it:
“Our mission is to make children happy first, then autonomous. Once they are happy and in charge of their own learning, success follows naturally.”
For parents seeking a place where their gifted child can truly belong, Passend Education in Petaling Jaya is that beacon of hope.
