IB Programme Gaining Ground

The International Baccalaureate (IB) education programme is gaining popularity in the UAE as it adapts to local life and lifts students' university admission chances, say experts.

An educationist said the IB is the world's fastest-growing programme; and the trend seems to hold true in Dubai as well.

Multiplying by around 15 per cent annually, there are more than 2,000 schools offering IB programmes to 566,000 students globally, according to official sources.

In the UAE, about 12 private schools offer the IB programmes, with several others awaiting authorisation.

When a Mexican executive in the automation sector moved from Latin America to Abu Dhabi, his main concern was finding an IB school for his 12-year-old son.

"I appreciate the fact that IB includes, for example, what it calls the Learners Profile in the overall education package," said Guillermo Castro. His son Bernardo is now a grade seven student at Raha International School in Abu Dhabi. "We may come from different faiths and cultures but we share universal values such as open-mindedness, efficiency and independence."

Lesley Stagg, principal of Greenfield Community School, Dubai, said, "Many people migrate between Dubai and the rest of the world. It is easy for students to switch between IB and different national curricula. Also, IB has become a passport to excellent universities worldwide; it is the highest standard many leading colleges are looking for nowadays.

"The IB is a not-for-profit organisation run by a board. In the subject of humanities, the British or American systems are often self-centric. All viewpoints are possible under the IB; there's always a global perspective.

"IB is not a ready-made curriculum which is imported and bought wholesale by the school. Rather, teachers – who have to be trained in the IB programmes regardless of their background or qualification – work on the school curriculum collaboratively under IB guidelines."

The main differences between IB and other syllabuses is that IB focuses on local considerations like native history and geography; formally incorporates community work and values like independent-research into the programme and is privately run.

For a holder of an IB diploma in certain cases – exceptional scores, for example – a year or two of higher education study is waived at many leading international universities, said Stagg.

Six subjects of a student's choice have to be taken and passed for the diploma, normally taught for two years before entering college to 16- to 18-year-olds.

Students must also submit and qualify a research paper as part of their programme graduation.

They also have to do a number of hours of community service. The result is a well-rounded graduate, fit for university life not just in academic terms, according to Angela Spence, former IB coordinator turned deputy principal at Uptown School, Dubai.

"This characteristic is in turn sought by businesses that need professionals with experience in extra-curricular sectors, not only high grades. They demand employees who know what to do if things go wrong, not just follow instructions," Spence said.

IB students are often asked to examine their homework or tests to involve them in the evaluation process.

Spence added: "A Malaysian boy or girl learning about trade in dirhams in Dubai or a Mexican student learning about the barter system of the Aztecs seem worlds apart at first. But they both learn about money and business in this example – that's the whole point."

International Baccalaureate Schools In The UAE

History Of International Baccalaureate

The International Baccalaureate was founded in Switzerland in 1968. Its original purpose was to facilitate the mobility of students preparing for university by providing schools with a diploma recognised by universities around the world. Since then its mission has expanded, and it now seeks to make an IB education available to students of all ages.

IB Breakdown

Primary Year Programme

(3-12 years)

Middle Years Programme

(11-16 years)

Diploma Programme

(16-19 years)