For those who are absolutely unfamiliar with the IB curriculum: For the children of internationally mobile families, the International Baccalaureate (IB) programme provides a rigorous, consistent high school curriculum. In India, it is an international curriculum because it is used by the majority of schools throughout the world.
There are four programmes in all:
- Primary Years Program (PYP)
- Middle Years Program (MYP)
- Diploma Program (DP)
- Carrer-related Program (CP)
Why is the International Baccalaureate (IB) curriculum being adopted by an increasing number of Indian schools?
In India, schools are no longer confined to curriculum such as CBSE, ICSE, or the state board. With the globe obsessed with the concept of ‘globalisation,’ international schools are springing up at a steady rate in India.
What makes the IB programme so successful?
- The IB curriculum emphasises creativity, hands-on learning, and a comprehensive approach to education.
- The IB prepares students to be global citizens. The curriculum is created in such a way that a student develops a worldwide perspective and becomes internationally competent—confident, self-reliant, and cognizant of global events.
- The IB fosters critical thinking in pupils. In today’s environment, critical thinking is critical since it allows a person to assess and evaluate topics and views while also generating ideas. Students benefit from this way of thinking since they are the world’s future citizens.
- The International Baccalaureate emphasises equilibrium. An IB student is seen as having a well-balanced study routine, effective time management abilities, and a personality that is not solely focused on academics. The curriculum promotes creativity, action, and service (CAS) as well as learning outside of the classroom. This equilibrium aids a student’s development.
- The IB supports in-depth learning. The IB curriculum and exams do not encourage students to learn a topic just for the sake of getting good scores. Subject groups allow students to pick a subject of their choice, which fosters in-depth understanding of a subject. The International Baccalaureate’s slogan is “Learn to Understand.”
- The Theory of Knowledge (TOK) and Extended Essay (EA) are aspects of the IB curriculum that urge students to ‘apply’ what they learn in school. The TOK, for example, pushes students to make connections across disciplines and to back up their knowledge. This kind of instruction greatly aids the learner in developing a modern and global perspective, hence assisting in their overall growth.
