Here is a guide to one of the most robust curriculums in the world and how Japan International Schools are adapting to a unique IB framework to provide the best in class education.
IB and Its Origin
The IB (International Baccalaureate) was founded in 1968 by educational visionaries in Geneva, Switzerland. The IB Diploma was developed to help students whose parents moved from one country to another. It catered to students who weren’t able to follow their country’s local curriculum.
What initially started as a Diploma program for ages 16 – 19 , is now being adapted by primary schooling (Primary Years Program) and Middle schooling (Middle Years Program) too.
Can Any Japan International School Provide the IB Curriculum?
In order to be authorized as an “IB School”, the school in question has to go through a rigorous authorization process to deem it commendable to be one.
The IB is a challenging program and schools that wish to offer this program are expected to provide 100% commitment to its students to ensure they have all the necessary channels inside the school to take up this robust curriculum.
Therefore, an authorized IB school can be trusted completely with regard to the quality of education it promises to provide its students.
Aim of IB Schools
The IB school curriculum’s aim is to develop 21st century citizens, who are compassionate, young individuals with a deep understanding of inter-cultural diversities and who believe in doing good to the community at large.
The curriculum engages students to become lifelong learners and gives them all the competitive skills necessary to thrive in a global dynamic society. The style of learning is progressive to a large extent and is transdisciplinary in approach.
Children learn crucial skills like critical-thinking and self-initiated learning and they also approach their subjects with a learning style that has multiple perspectives.
How is IB Different?
The IB curriculum is based around interdisciplinary approaches which helps children understand the role they play in the society, the emphasis of the place and time they are in, self-expression, the workings of the world around them, organisational skills and sharing the knowledge and applying it effectively to provide value to the community and the world.
The curriculum in these IB schools imbibes key values that teach students to share the planet amongst each other by conserving nature and caring for the environment.
Different Stages in the IB Curriculum
Primary Years Program
The IB Primary years program (PYP) is for primary school children that builds conceptual understanding of core subjects and helps children in self- initiated and independent learning through inquiry and reflection.
IB students are taught to adapt to new learning methods in collaboration with the teachers and the community. The education provided is engaging and relevant to the real world problems and aspects of real society. This develops a sense of responsibility and worthiness towards oneself and others.
Middle Years Program
Targeting students of ages 11- 16, the MYP is a wonderful foundation to develop readiness for the IB Diploma Program in their high school.
This program contains 8 subject groups and emphasizes the importance of learning through practical knowledge rather than a theory based approach.
Students are given an opportunity to connect their lessons and concepts with that of the real world.
International Baccalaureate Diploma Program (IBDP)
The Diploma program is made up of 6 subject groups and the DP Core. It is a robust curriculum for ages 16 -19 and focuses on providing intense knowledge on the chosen subjects and helps students pick up key skills that are leadership, entrepreneurship, communication, presentation, critical thinking, problem solving, time management, community care etc.
It is a balanced curriculum and has many benefits with regard to a complete development in students.
Career-related Program
The IB CP program is an international program that incorporates the IB curriculum and is especially designed for students in their career-related subjects to hone them for further education in the same stream or for an employment opportunity.
It develops students in many areas namely academics, applied knowledge, practical skills of the chosen subject, collaboration, self-initiated inquiry, confidence, reflection, critical thinking and ethics.
Japan international schools and their IB curriculum
Japan has become a top destination for those who seek good quality education and it has some of the most well-established International schools in the world, IB being a prominent curriculum that caters to the children from the expat community.
The curriculum is designed on the formal structure of the IB and the unique framework that the school designs caters to its vision and mission. This kind of pedagogical approach can provide a curriculum that is holistic in nature and concentrates on the all round development of the child.
Apart from the already competitive IB structure, the school imbibes other important activities, values and virtues in its students to help them blend into the 21st century environment.
Facilities in Japan International Schools
The IB curriculum is quite challenging and needs the students to conduct in depth research in order to conclude their many project-based learning concepts. Such students need a highly advanced platform when it comes to facilities provided inside the school.
Most Japan International Schools that provide the IB curriculum have state of the art campuses with the latest smart technology to enable a highly engaging platform to its students.
This paves way to future successes and helps students acquire 21st century skills based on the latest technology in education and learning.
Conclusion
IB schools around the world have been creating the right environment to enable students to learn effectively and Japan International schools have been very proactive in the betterment of their schools for their international students to provide them with the best of facilities.
