IB recognition for local schools
FOUR government schools have been recognised as International Baccalaureate (IB) World Schools by the International Baccalaureate Organisation for successfully carrying out the International Baccalaureate Middle Years Programme (IBMYP).
They are SM Sains Tengku Muhammad Faris Petra in Kelantan, Kolej Tunku Kurshiah in Negri Sembilan, SMK Seri Tualang in Pahang, and SMKA Sheikh Abdul Malek in Terengganu.
The institutions are the second cohort of Malaysian government schools to achieve the IB World School status.
Education director-general Tan Sri Dr Khair Mohamad Yusof congratulated the schools at the certificate presentation ceremony on Monday.
He said the ministry’s introduction of IMBYP to schools was a right move that will produce well-rounded individuals.
Describing the achievement as one that makes the country proud, Dr Khair added that it also proved that Malaysian students and teachers are a capable bunch who can compete in the international arena.
“This recognition clearly shows that our teachers’ capabilities and their professionalism is of international standards,” he said. His speech was read out by his deputy Datuk Dr Amin Senin.
Aimed at students aged between 11 and 16-years-old, IBMYP is offered to more than 400,000 students in nearly 1,100 schools across 94 countries. It encourages students to become creative, critical and reflective thinkers.
The programme, designed to develop students’ communication skills, intercultural understanding and international-mindedness, is one of the initiatives outlined in the Malaysia Education Blueprint 2013–2025, as a way to explore new pedagogical approaches to boost the quality of teaching and learning.
Dr Khair said that IBMYP’s curriculum framework is divided into eight groups, where students are required to study Arts, Sciences, Mathematics, Physical and Health Education, Language Acquisition, Language and Literature, Individuals and Societies, and Design.
“It helps produce global-minded students to be inquirers, thinkers, communicators and risk takers and become principled, open-minded, caring, balanced and reflective,” said Dr Khair.
He pointed out that Malaysia now has nine schools that are IB World Schools.
Dr Khair said the schools’ twoyear “journey towards authorisation” to be IB World Schools were tough as they had to go through a long supplementary professional development course that lasted a year.
“They were required to fulfil all of the IB Organisation’s high standard conditions to obtain approval from their consultants and examiners.
“The authorisation process also includes a study of the school’s resources and commitment to the IB mission and philosophy,” he said.
He encouraged the schools to keep up the good work, adding that there is always room for improvement.
“Getting the IB World School Recognition is not the end of the journey. Schools need to live up to the IB name and maintain it,” he said.
The curricular framework of the IBMYP allows schools to meet specific national requirements, while all teachers involved in the programme must receive IB- approved training.
Its programmes are recognised around the world, and ensures an increased adaptability andmobility for its students.
Providing learning in a broad base of disciplines is part of the programme’s model.
It also promotes concurrency in learning, encourages a variety of teaching and learning methodologies, and emphasises development of students as wholseome individuals.