IB is also known as the abbreviation for International Baccalaureate. The International baccalaureate High school curriculum is more practical and application-based. It has a broader spectrum of subjects that lead to overall development. The IB diploma was founded in 1968 by the International Baccalaureate Organization (IBO), a non-profit educational organization based in Geneva, Switzerland. Despite having its headquarters in Switzerland, the IBO is an international organization not associated with any particular country and is free of national political and educational agendas.
The sole purpose of IB is to produce global citizens. The International baccalaureate High school syllabus is more challenging than educational boards like CBSE and ICSE. But the question is in the quality of assignments, not the amount of work assigned. It is a type of internationally-recognized school system made up of three educational programs:
- The PYP program: The Primary Years Program, from Kindergarten to Class 5.
- The MYP program: The Middle Years Program, from Class 6 to Class 10.
- The DP program: The Diploma Program, from Class 11 to Class 12.
IB examinations evaluate a students’ knowledge, not their memory and speed. No examinations are held till the Middle Years program. The IB pedagogy focuses on ‘how to learn rather than ‘what to learn. There are no prescribed textbooks; students can choose their books.
What are the benefits and advantages of choosing the IB program?
The benefits of the IB program are as follows:
- The students learn to communicate and engage with people in an increasingly globalized, rapidly changing world.
- Higher chances of cultural awareness through the development of a second language.
- IB students have shown growth in strong academic, social and emotional characteristics. They are likely to perform well academically, often better than students on other curricula.
- They are not only prepared to think critically and solve complex problems but also drive their learning skills and build up their minds.
- An essential role in educational programs that can lead them to some of the highest-ranking universities worldwide.
- Students holding this IB diploma have higher university and college acceptance rates than applicants who have studied under other boards.
- The methodology and instruction used for IB are interdisciplinary, which helps the students develop into international-minded individuals.
- IB diploma trains students to be able to explore concepts and issues that have local as well as global significance. This, in return, helps them acquire in-depth knowledge and understanding of various disciplines.
