Introduction
In times of today, we have a plethora of education boards to choose from, all different from each other based on the type of curriculum, subjects offered, and the approach to learning promoted.
While IGCSE (International General Certificate of Secondary Education) and GCSE (General Certificate of Secondary Education) were education boards that used to rule the roost in reputation and approaches to learning, IB (International Baccalaureate) curriculum has proven itself to be equally capable, and thus gained immense popularity and became a reputed curriculum for learning in the last decade.
IB School System
International Baccalaureate (IB) is a globally recognised school system that was founded by the International Baccalaureate Organisation (IBO) in 1968. The organisation was a non-profit institution based in Geneva, Switzerland.
Even though its headquarters are based in Switzerland, the IB board does not draw allegiance to any particular country. It is the system that can be followed by all countries regardless of the diverse cultures, political agendas, languages and other factors.
As of today, 5000 IB world schools have been recognised by the International Baccalaureate Organisation and offer IB curriculum.
What Makes the IB Curriculum Special?
The IB curriculum is a practical based programme, focusing on applying education and subject concepts in daily life and converting theory into practical knowledge. The board pushes students towards a broad vista of all subjects with its research projects and continuous emphasis on in-depth analysis.
It also helps the students develop a strong academic viewpoint along with social and emotional characteristics.
How is IB Beneficial for Learners?
The course drives the students towards accumulating knowledge with its examination system. The exams in no way promote the use of memory and speed in the path of learning but push the students to enjoy the process of understanding, analysing the topics per subject and becoming wholesomely global citizens as a result.
One of the best parts about the IB curriculum is that there are no examinations till the middle year programme ie. class 10. This idea advertises IB’s ideology of learning the ways of education rather than cramming textbooks and content to succeed. This theory attracts parents to board, thus making it a highly reputed education system.
The students are given the freedom to choose their textbooks, which enhances their learning and increases their interest in the subject.
The IB curriculum is commonly established as a much challenging course when it comes to submitting assignments and projects as compared to the CBSE Board (Central Board of Secondary Education) and the ICSE Board (Indian Certificate of Secondary Education).
While the CBSE curriculum and ICSE board curriculum, too promote research and quality in their assigned projects and activities, the IB works with the students in making deep research and high-quality submissions a way of life.
IB Programmes for Students
The International Baccalaureate offers a line of subjects to students throughout four challenging yet engaging programmes starting from the age of 3 to 19.
Primary Years Programme (PYP)
The IB PYP for students between ages 3-12 engages them towards a path of constant learning while shaping them to become empathetic, and budding young leaders in their favourite fields.
The IB curriculum promotes conceptualising, and building a deeper understanding of all subjects. The students take charge of their learning and develop knowledge and skillset through consistent inquiring, reflecting and acting upon their actions.
What Makes PYP a Well-Suited Programme for Children?
The programme catapults the student to make a difference in his and his community’s life and go beyond the scope of his immediate surroundings to comprehend the values of the world.
PYP focuses on the wholesome development of the child as an inquirer, at school and in the world outside his home and school. The teachers and school communities work to provide the student with an engaging, relevant and analytical education.
Languages, Social Sciences, Mathematics, Science and Technology, Arts and Personal, Social and Physical Education are the main subjects that are taught to the students in the PYP.
The subjects offered in the IB school are taught in a way to teach students how to take ownership of their path, collaborate with their educators to deepen their knowledge and enhance confidence and motivation alongside.
The continuous assessments through various modes help the little learners to gain efficiency in their fields and take constructive actions on feedback.
The PYP programme emphasises the concept of “future-focused” education that equips the students to respond to challenges, enhances their problem-solving skills and opens varied doors of opportunities throughout the course.
Middle Years Programme (MYP)
IB schools offer the 5-year MYP curriculum, which comprises a total of eight subjects that provide a balanced learning path to young adults.
The MYP is well suited for children between ages 11-16, open to students of all interests and academic abilities. This helps students enhance their skills using the programme to the maximum advantage, and churning its inclusive nature to their benefit.
The IB curriculum requires an annual total of 50 hours of teaching per subject, and in the fourth and fifth year, the students are given a choice of six subjects out of eight to specialise in. This provides the flexibility of learning for students and focuses on individual needs and interests.
The students enrolled in the MYP are also required to participate in at least one group project or interdisciplinary unit involving at least two subjects.
They are also needed to take part in a long term project. The theme of the project is based on a topic of their choice according to their knowledge of the subject.
This idea makes the students gain deep know-how of the topics they have basic knowledge about, it teaches them how to dig deeper and do research accordingly. The long term project also teaches them how to work patiently on projects for long durations for the future.
IB school’s MYP approach also gives its students a sense of responsibility, shared guardianship, helping them cultivate personal and formal relationships and emerge as competent adults.
Diploma Programme
The diploma programme for students between ages 16-19 is the perfect programme designed for learners who have a will to explore, and want to grow into all-rounded human beings.
The diploma programme further enhances the young adults in physical, emotional, intellectual and spiritual aspects. The programme consists of six subjects along with the DP core- The Theory of Knowledge (TOK), Creativity, Activity and Service (CAS) and the Extended Essay.
The choice of subjects varies from Arts, languages and literature to science, maths and technology.
IB curriculum for the diploma core allows students to reflect upon the nature of knowledge, acknowledge its significance and carry forward research regarding the same, involving project work and community service.
The entire course of the diploma programme is made to grow the analytical and educational experience of the students and make them challenge their brains to solve complex problems across their choice of subjects.
The freedom of choice in subjects enables the young learners to demonstrate more knowledge and interest in the field and pushes them to concentrate more on academics. Studying the subjects of their wishes encourages them to work smartly and enthusiastically on their research papers as well as other subject related activities.
Conclusion
IB is recognised globally by the top universities and colleges as an exceptionally first-rate academic programme for preschoolers to high school adults. The high standards for quality education and rigorous assessments of the IB have proven the regard the education board receives from higher education institutions, making it a strong entry credential into many universities.
Studying at an IB school is intellectually beneficial for children because it enables children to craft their own learning path, building their skills and confidence to thrive in the world of competition and consistent flux.
Students wishing to pursue higher studies abroad are happily opting for IB schools in their home country due to their worldly reputation, scholarships, and its all-encompassing course structure, which equips them for the awaiting challenges of the future.
