IB School Program: A Game-Changer In Developing Future-Ready Skills Within 21st Century Learners
IB school program is the next-gen International Educational Board which empowers the school-aged students to take a freehold in their own learning, thus helping them to develop future-ready skills and make a difference in a world that is ever-changing.
ASMA organized a webinar on School Education Leadership Forum on the 18th of November that witnessed energetic discussions on the IB school programs which are specifically designed with the goal of enhancing the student’s social, academic, physical health, and emotional health.
This virtual event was attended by notable stakeholders and educators of the industry. The guest of honor was Dr. Pankaj Mittal, Secretary-General, Association of Indian Universities, and Mr. Madan Padaki, Co-Founder -GAME – Global Alliance for Mass Entrepreneurship was the guest speaker. Other than that, there were other eminent speakers for both panels including Mr. Shane Kells, Director, International School of Riga, Ms. Donnah Ciempka, Head of School, Ascot International School, Ms. Sunita Nagpal, Principal – K.R. Mangalam World School, Ms. Aparna Achanta, Principal – Indus International School, Hyderabad, Ms. Rashima Vaid Varma, Secondary Principal, Prometheus School, Ms. Sheeza A. K., IBEN Asia Pacific, Ms. Shikha Rathore, Principal, Crossroads International School, Ms. Shuchi Shukla, Principal, Ms. Christine Theodore Stayte, Coordinating PYP Principal, Dr. Jayshree Periwal, Chairperson – Jayshree Periwal Group of Schools, Ms. Rupa Sen, Head of School, Bangalore International School, Rbk International Academy, Mr. Devkant Aggarwal, Leader Growth Initiatives, Career Education, I/SA, IBM India Pvt Ltd.
The discussion was initiated by the guest of honor Dr. Pankaj Mittal, Secretary-General, Association of Indian Universities spoke about the importance now given to career Orientation programs in keeping with the National Education Policy right after class 12th. She also spoke about localization and the need for flexibility in career streams.
Next, in the discussion in School Education Leadership Forum is joined by Mr. Madan Padaki, Co-Founder –GAME – Global Alliance for Mass Entrepreneurship inspires us towards an entrepreneurial route. As per his view, we can hone 15 million entrepreneurs to create thousands of jobs locally to drive a global alliance of entrepreneurship. He presents case studies of young aspirants dreaming big for a better tomorrow for all of us.
The Panel 1 discussion then begins with Dr. Shane Kells, Director –International School of Riga, who talks about how the IB School Diploma guides children in becoming true global citizens with future-ready skills and international mindset through their curriculum.
Ms. Donnah Ciempka, Head of School – Ascot International School, then further adds that the statewide education systems are pushing schools towards layered quality assurance. Many IB schools in the United States are going PYP because it creates a framework for learning and enables professional discussion for the teachers and the staff.
Next, the panel is joined by Dr. Usha Reddy, CEO – Meridian School who is of the view that Gratitude and positivity are the life lessons that we as one global community should take note of and ensure that the well being of us all lasts.
Ms. Aparna Achanta, Principal – Indus International School, Hyderabad next says that with the world having shrunk digitally, the IB components, classroom flexibility, and technological innovation have made students very aware about the future-ready skills and they have risen to the occasion. A lot more students have been exposed to a myriad of perspectives because of digital learning during the pandemic.
The Panel 2 discussion begins with Ms. Sunita Nagpal, Principal – K.R. Mangalam World School, Gurgaon who says that the IB curriculum is a planned one and at the same time the students are the 21st century learners never constrained and can explore possibilities and come up with projects based on their own devices.
Next, the panel is graced by Ms. Christine Theodore Stayte, Coordinating PYP Principal, Sekolah Ciputra. As per her opinion, teachers now know that in order to provide children with challenges and learning on the spot, the feedback that we receive from them also has to be authentic and comprehensive. This was made possible due to the curriculum flexibility and teaching tools used during this special time.
The 3rd panel of the School Leadership Forum is then joined by other eminent speakers. Dr. Jayshree Periwal, Chairperson – Jayshree Periwal Group of Schools drops in the conversation. She says that the CAS program is the very core of the IB curriculum. Children are given the opportunity to be more creative, aware, and sensitive. It is a journey of self-development for children which makes them better human beings in life.
Now, Ms. Rashima Vaid Varma, Secondary Principal, Prometheus School further adds that with all the challenges we have faced during covid, we have also been able to look at the benefits of working digitally. Therefore now children have become comfortable and are working together globally to pick up on important issues and collaborate internationally to talk about issues that are close to them. This is a great opportunity to imbibe the future-ready skills in the students that has been fueled because of the pandemic. Children are understanding the local and global nuances of issues that are faced by the world. This has allowed students to extend their learning and collaborate on an international state.
Ms. Sheeza A. K., IBEN Asia Pacific, Continuum Workshop Leader, SVTM, Programme leader – Dean of Academics next joins the School Education Leadership Forum discussion and says just like children are helped and guided at every step. it is something she wishes to instill in every child is whether they look deep and ask a simple question – Is there something I can do to help or change something in this world? And as an educator, the answer is never a no!
The discussion gets more energetic, as the 4th and the last panel joins in. Ms. Rupa Sen, Head of School, Bangalore International School joins in. She says that there are 6 important skills that IB school would facilitate in their children – thinking, listening communication research self-management, and social skills.
Ms. Shikha Rathore, Principal, Crossroads International Schoolsays that the world has gone through enough and more and every school has put in a lot of creative thinking towards ways in which we can bring education in the homes of all our children and make them learn the future-ready skills. We have put in our creative caps in order to adapt and evolve.
As the webinar moves towards its ending part, Ms. Shuchi Shukla, Principal, Rbk International Academy marks her views on how the pandemic was a catalyst in the adoption of new technological skills. The authorization process in IB school is very important to maintain the teaching and learning standards on a global level.
At last, Mr. Devkant Aggarwal, Leader Growth Initiatives, Career Education, I/SA, IBM India Pvt Ltd ends the webinar by saying that he has seen multiple universities provide career counseling happen through AI models. There is still a large gap that we can fill with the use of these technological tools based on the strengths of the students.
Overall, the webinar discussed the perks of enrolling children into the IB school curriculum as this international-standard schooling builds future leaders of the 21st century.
