At the Independent Education Conference earlier this month, I met a headmaster who told me that the number of schools using the International Baccalaureate in preference to A levels is rising fast. From memory, he said that there were 45 last year, there are 63 this year and there are applications to use the exam which, if they were all successful would bring the number up to over 150 next year.
It is a damning indictment of A levels.
I was surprised to hear two other things about the IB, though:
First, a large proportion of the schools using the International Baccaleureate are state schools and sixth form colleges. I believe some of the grammar schools in Kent are among them. There is also, of course, a lot of interest now from the independent sector.
Second, the IB is promoting a belief in 'internationalism' as a required article of faith and this is working through the curriculum. George Walker, the current Director General of the IB, apparently takes the title of his book To Educate the Nations from this quote (by Harry Ree): "We must continue to aim at world government and educate the nations that this is their only hope."
There are other reasons why some heads are uneasy about the IB. With this added, I am further confirmed in the belief that a wholly new exam board should be established which gives schools - and parents - a real choice and a chance to pursue studies where knowledge and the ability to argue a case are valued above the political prejudices of those setting the exams.
Posted by James Bartholomew • Indexed in Education
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My eldest son took the IB at an international school in Asia recently. There was no option for us - it was IB or nothing. Listening to the headmaster addressing the school's graduation ceremony a few weeks ago extolling the aims and objects of the IB was like listening to the United Nations or a Labour Party convention. "Uneasy" is about the least I would say I felt. I had an overwhelming urge to shout out "Oh, shut up and just educate our kids".
Posted by: John at June 20, 2008 08:47 AM
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I just finished my 2-year IB Diploma two weeks ago, and it doesn't exactly smack of the "world government" talk you speak of.
Although the organisation's continental European outlook is a bit lofty, most students who have the balls to opt for IB are usually cynical enough to see through any such attempted indoctrination.
Great blog overall, though!
Posted by: Phil at May 28, 2005 05:53 AM