Every parent wants his or her child to excel in academics and reach the maximum potential in their journey of learning. They try to enroll their kids in schools that challenge the students’ potential and push the student to work harder.
While most Singapore Schools offer the standard primary, secondary and higher education levels, there are few Singapore indian schools that also offer a unique and competitive programme known as the International Baccalaureate (IB) Programme, for the students between the age group of 16 to 19 years (pre university time period). It is an academically challenging and balanced programme for the secondary years of education.
What is an International Baccalaureate Diploma?
Renowned for excellent academic standards and goal to develop global citizens of the 21st century, the IB programme and its curriculum emphasises on cultivating creativity and imagination. Since this programme prepares your child for the university standard, it makes their path easier while applying to any college and pursuing higher studies, it also is a rigorous programme which will require hard work and zeal to learn.
The three main different levels of programmes offered by IB Indian schools in Singapore are namely: IB Primary Years Programme for students from Grades 1 to 5, IB Middle Years Programme for students from Grades 6 to 8, IGCSE or CBSE for Grade 9 to 10 and lastly the IB Diploma Programme (IBDP) for students from Grades 11 to 12. Parents who want their children to start on the IB journey earlier can choose between the curriculum of a kindergarten or Montessori offered by Singapore Indian Schools.
The International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme is a two-year educational programme primarily aimed at 16 to 19 year-olds in countries across the globe. The programme provides an internationally accepted qualification that facilitates entry into higher education and is recognized by many universities worldwide.
Requirements for the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme
This diploma becomes a remarkable credential for college applications and other purposes. The IB diploma programme expects the students to:
● Select courses and pass all six subject exams.
● Three or four of these IB diploma subjects are to be chosen by the student at the challenging higher level.
● The remaining subjects are to be taken at the standard level.
In addition to clearing these subjects, there are three other major requirements:
● Students are expected to write a detailed and lengthy essay that is based on independent research.
● Secondly, the students are supposed to take a Theory of Knowledge course. This course covers critical thinking and epistemology.
● Last requirement is that the student participates in various extracurricular activities apart from academic excellence.
IB graduates grow into thinkers, communicators, principled, open-minded, caring, compassionate and respectful citizens who at the same time are risk-takers, reflective, and understand the need for balance in their lives. IBDP is apt for motivated students who like to be challenged, are self driven and have a love for learning.
Is an IB Curriculum worth it?
Pursuing an IB Diploma is certainly a daunting task but it is surely worth it especially for those students who are self driven, highly motivated and goal oriented. Here are some benefits that will help you to understand the success rate of an IB Diploma programme:
1. High Acceptance Rate
An IB diploma holder enjoys a higher university and college acceptance rate than applicants from other boards.
2. Accelerates Scholarship Opportunities
Students who have passed out of top Singapore Indian schools have a greater chance of availing various scholarships.
3. Multilingual Teaching
The method of instruction used for IB is multilingual which helps the students develop into global minded citizens and develop them into holistic individuals by being multilingual.
4. Lifelong Learning
Students passing out of IB accredited schools are imbibed with a habit of lifelong learning.
5. Teacher Development
Teachers hired for any International Baccalaureate (IB) Programme are well trained and well educated to be able to fulfill the demands of the students and use strategies to teach students in a unique and well structured manner.
6. Risk Takers
Students who pursue an IB diploma are trained to face every challenge and uncertainty. Students are taught to be independent thinkers to explore new strategies and ideas and have a problem solving attitude.
7. Abundance of Knowledge
IB diploma programme educates students to explore concepts and issues of local as well as global importance. This aids them to acquire an in-depth knowledge and dig into every concept of the subject in question
8. Liberal Minded
Students of the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme understand and appreciate different cultures and are open to perception, values and traditions of other people. They celebrate differences and learn from them. Students grow with the experience that they gain along the way.
9. Highly Principled
Students passing out of top IB schools tend to grow up to be principled individuals, acting with integrity and honesty, compassionate and respectful towards every person.
10. Inculcates Creativity and Innovation
Creativity and innovation are two factors that make IB students league apart from the rest. These traits help them to solve every dilemma and problem efficiently.
From a broad perspective, pursuing an IB diploma opens up a door of various opportunities for students, and above mentioned benefits certainly makes this programme the best deal to crack.
What does it take to be in an IBD programme?
● Persistence: You have to be consistent with your education and work in order to be able to stand out from the crowd. You must have the X-factor of perseverance to thrive and shine in this programme.
● Goal oriented: Since the beginning, students must be clear about what they are doing, what they want to achieve. A goal oriented attitude will help you to stay focused and hit the bull’s eye.
● Zeal to learn: Learn, unlearn and relearn should be your mantra to be able to grasp as much knowledge you gain during this diploma programme. You must imbibe the zeal to learn new ideas and concepts everyday like a little child.
● Ability to improve and push oneself: There is always room for improvement and you must have the knack to keep improving and moving and progressing because stillness would lead to stagnance which will not help you to grow.
Look out for Challenges in this programme
Along with the benefits and knowledge, IB Diploma Programme also offers a set of challenges for the students. IB Programmes are known to be challenging anyway but if students are able to identify and overcome these challenges, they are good to go!
Students are expected to balance all six different subjects well, while constantly producing high quality work. Students who join an IB Diploma must ensure to keep improving and progressing so that they become a better version of themselves.
In spite of being challenging, the IB programme is well structured that makes the curriculum doable and achievable. The programme pushes its students with its high expectations and targets but it also opens up new horizons for them.
Many of the top schools in Singapore have a comprehensive support system in place to give both parents and students the means to get the most out of the programme. But eventually it is upto the student to make the most of this opportunity.
Conclusion
As Jess Lair said, ‘Children are not things to be molded, but are people to be unfolded.’ It is the parents and schools’ duty to give children the environment that helps them to unfold their capabilities and knowledge, and show their potential to the world proudly, happily and successfully. For every great mind needs some guidance and polishing to achieve excellence!
