In praise of a programme that encourages students to think

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Published: 12:00am, 6 May 2012

The International Baccalaureate (IB) encompasses programmes in primary, middle and diploma years for students aged from three to 19. While many schools in Hong Kong now offer different curriculums leading to the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme, they may not adopt all of the IB programmes from the primary level.

Those that do offer them award diplomas after students finish their middle years programmes.

Some schools offer diploma programmes in conjunction with the International General Certificate of Secondary Education or the General Certificate of Secondary Education. As a parent, it is important to consider which high school credential your child will present for admission to university. Is it more suitable for your child to have an A-level, the American High School Diploma, or an IB?

If your child will be taking the IB Diploma Programme, then it is necessary to consider which programme would be the best lead-in: the middle years programmes or sitting the exams for the general or the international general certificate.

The middle years programme for students aged 11 to 16 is designed to help them make connections between traditional subjects and the real world and become critical thinkers. But how do schools go about implementing this philosophy?

The unique characteristic of the middle years programme curriculum lies in the areas of interaction, which aim to nurture effective lifelong learners. They are English, world languages, maths, sciences (biology, chemistry and physics), humanities (history/commerce/geography), creative arts (music/art/drama), technology (design technology, information technology), health and physical education, and a personal project that focuses on one or more areas of interaction.

The personal project, completed during the fifth year of the middle years programme, is a significant student-directed inquiry done over an extended period. It lets them demonstrate the skills they have developed in a truly personal and creative work of their choice.