IB programme puts students on road to academic success

After failing to make the grade in the mainstream, a switch to the alternative was a life-changing experience

Samantha-Lisa Chan, a candidate in the Hong Kong Certificate of Education Examination in 2004, failed to score enough points to stay in her local school for A-Levels. Two years later she was accepted by five British universities, including Warwick, and is awaiting a possible acceptance offer from the University of Hong Kong.

She scored 36 points (out of 45) in the International Baccalaureate Diploma programme at Yew Chung International School where she enrolled in 2004 - equivalent to 4As in GCE A-Levels and meeting most British universities' entrance requirements.

Her case exemplifies a viable option for local school students who have not done too well in the HKCEE or who want a change in learning style.

As part of the creativity, action and community service for which she was awarded points under the IB programme, Samantha helped raise funds to improve the lives of former Chinese Nationalist soldiers stranded in northern Thailand, carried out house building projects there and in mountainous areas in impoverished Guangxi province.

'The learning style under IB is different. We are expected to discover knowledge ourselves and there are many small group discussions and presentations. We have to do much reading to prepare for classes. The class sizes are much smaller. My biggest had had 15 students. For some courses, the teacher-student ratio is 1:1,' she said.

Like Samantha, fellow student Joyce Tang Pui-yan switched to Yew Chung upon finishing Form Five two years ago. She had to juggle various projects and activities but rather than putting her off, it helped her develop greater self-discipline and initiative to learn.