Forum: IB curriculum adds value by letting students set own pace and blossom
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It is heartening to read that there is growing awareness of the International Baccalaureate (IB) curriculum in Singapore.
As an educator of the IB curriculum for almost 18 years, and having both my children divert from the O-level curriculum to pursue the IB curriculum, I agree fully with Owenn Phua’s letter that presenting a proper context is important (IB exam different for each student, so scores a poor indicator of performance, Dec 23).
A score of 45 out of 45 is commendable. However, in many schools that offer IB in Singapore, many students have their own challenges, whether academic, emotional or medical.
Hence, comparing the scores does not indicate the success of the IB curriculum and the student.
Some students cannot cope well in mainstream Singapore schools and hence decide on a different pathway. The IB curriculum lets these students carve out their own pace in terms of coping with the rigour of their studies, and to blossom.
For these students, achieving the IB certification is a true indication of the value-add given by the IB curriculum and the school.
Pamela Ng Yui Ling
