With the coming in of the IB or International Baccalaureate board in India, also came a lot of doubts and confusion regarding this academic standard - it is natural with every new thing that makes way into our lives. However clearing these myths is essential so that we as a society of students, parents and educators do not lose out on anything important or better, simply on account of lies or ignorance.
For a long time, India has had the CBSE, ICSE/ISC and state boards but now with the introduction of IB board, things have taken a leap and education for Indian students has truly become global. It is for the same reason that so many of the best schools in Gurgaon, Delhi and NCR have been adopting the programmes offered under this board as part of their standard curriculum.
On the other hand, no matter how promising things look for students of the IB PYP and IB Diploma programme, a part of the crowd still maintains that putting children through this board can prove to be detrimental for their future. These people are misguided and not well-acquainted with the principles of global academic standards.
Today we will look into some of the common myths surrounding international academic boards and bust them to prove how the IB programmes are some of the best options for a child’s education in India.
Let’s delve into these misconceptions:
IB board is new and therefore untrustworthy
IB Board’s curriculum today is a part of some of the best Cambridge schools in Delhi NCR – these schools have adopted both IB and Cambridge programmes to provide truly global education to their students. And batches after batches of scholars have graduated with IB and Cambridge certifications. In fact, the first IB school was set up in India in 1976 and Cambridge board has also been in our country for over 50 years now. The only reason why these boards may seem ‘new’ is because international curriculums have gained more popularity over the past few years.
IB is not needed since the old boards are good enough
The old boards are also good and prepare the students well for life ahead - there’s certainly no doubt about it. But let’s face it, the world is changing and so are our needs with it. To be successful in the ever evolving global scenario, the children in India today also need to be equipped with the kind of knowledge that puts them at par with their peers in other countries. So while the older education systems might have worked well for us and our parents, our children will probably need that extra push to really make their presence known and this nudge would be provided by the IB and Cambridge schools in Delhi, NCR and other cities.
Students from IB are not accepted in Indian universities
This is another bizarre myth that keeps doing rounds in the education circuit. To address this, let’s look at the placement records of Amity Global School which is considered the best IGCSE board school in Gurgaon - the students from this school and many other Cambridge and IB institutions have continuously secured admissions in some of the most renowned colleges and universities of India. To say that the IB board only caters to international universities and is not designed for higher education in India would be totally wrong and misleading.
Other myths
While talking about IB and Cambridge board, some people say that it is not scrupulous enough or that the programs are too expensive and not even properly implemented in Indian schools. All these points are not true. If one were to visit some of the international schools in Gurgaon, Noida, Delhi, and NCR, they would be pleasantly surprised to see how nicely the academic programmes have been structured in these institutions and how well the students are taking to them. Even when the pandemic forced the students and teachers to continue the curriculum from their homes, they have used best online resources for learning and teaching.
At the end of the day, the choice remains with the parents and the students themselves. They are the best people to decide what exactly they want and what it is they need from a school. A thorough research of all areas is certainly recommended while choosing a school for your child. And if in case, you do decide to choose the IB board, rest assured you won’t be disappointed!
Author bio - The Gurgaon based campus of Amity Global School enrolled its first batch of students in 2008 and has been helping young scholars imbibe the virtues of education year after year. A tailored approach to academics, sports and extra-curricular activities is the hallmark of the institution.
