International Baccalaureate (IB) – A quick review

IB is an abbreviation for ‘International Baccalaureate’. It was founded in 1968 in Geneva, Switzerland. It is an internationally recognized school system made up of three educational programs:

1. The Primary years Program (PYP)  for grades Nursery to 5

Subjects offered:

• Language
• Social Studies
• Mathematics
• Science and Technology
• Arts
• Personal, Social and Physical Education

2. The Middle Years Program (MYP) for grades 6 to 10

Subjects offered:

• 1^st language
• 2^nd language
• Humanities (History and Geography)
• Science (Biology, Chemistry and Physics)
• Arts (Visual and Performing Arts)
• Physical Education
• Technology (Computers)

3. The Diploma Program (DP) for grades 11 and 12

Subjects offered:

• Group 1: First Language (English)
• Group 2: Second Language (French, Hindi)
• Group 3: Individuals and societies (History, Economics, Business Management)
• Group 4: Science (Biology, Chemistry, Physics)
• Group 5: Mathematics and Computer Science
• Electives (either Visual Arts or a 2^nd subject from groups 3, 4 or 5)

In addition, all DP students must study a two year course called

Theory of Knowledge (TOK) -Essay of 1200-1600 words on a given title

Extended Essay (EE) is a comprehensive written piece of 3500-4000 words on any chosen topic.

Engage in Creativity, Action and Services (CAS)

Students must complete at least 150 hours in some creativity, sports or social service.

The IB program is more practical and application based. It has a broad spectrum of subjects that leads to an all round development. The focus of the IB pedagogy is on ‘How to learn?’ rather than ‘What to learn?’ The purpose of IB is to produce international minded people and to make the world a better place by improving the society.

ADVANTAGES OF INTERNATIONAL BACCALAUREATE

-Knowledge is broad -emphasizes on overall development

-Activity based system- learning by doing and better understanding

-Student centered class-learner leads learning

-Develops skills in children-useful in their growth and character building

-Students are assessed all year round based on Quizzes, essays, debates, portfolios and assignments

-Development of Analytical, Logical reasoning, Language skills which help students in exams such as SAT and GRE.

-IB students are preferred by top foreign universities and even some offer scholarships.

Thus it is one of the best curriculum.