The International Baccalaureate (IB) Days in Saudi Arabia were successfully concluded yesterday Wednesday at Jeddah Knowledge International School. Organized through a collaboration between King Faisal Foundation and the International Baccalaureate, and several schools, three engaging and informative sessions shed light on the implementation of IB programs within the Kingdom. The IB Days commenced on September 7 at the Dhahran Ahliyya Schools, followed by the second event on September 12 at King Faisal School in Riyadh, and culminated with the final event in Jeddah on September 13.
Distinguished representatives from the International Baccalaureate organization, including Dr. Sumaya Alyusuf, International Baccalaureate Development and Recognition Manager, Dr. Kawther Saa’d AlDin, Development and Recognition Manager at the International Baccalaureate, and Mrs. Mary Tadros, Senior Manager, Development, Recognition and e-Assessment at the International Baccalaureate, provided the audience with information about the Primary Years Program (PYP), the Middle Years Program (MYP), the Diploma Program (DP), and the Career-related Program (CP). One of the main focuses of IB Days was to foster constructive discussions between IB representatives, educators, and school principals and leaders. These discussions emphasized the road maps for transforming schools interested in offering the IB program into authorized IB schools. Participants were provided with valuable insights about the benefits of IB education including its offering of good quality of education and holistic student development. IB representative cited studies demonstrating that IB graduates were 40% more likely to obtain a first- or second-class honors degrees than other exam board students. They also stated that IB students possess significantly higher levels of critical thinking compared to non-IB peers in high school, and that more than 90% of schools agree that IB enhances students’ transition into todays labor market.
IB Days took place in the context of the collaborative project between King Faisal Foundation and the International Baccalaureate (IB) that was initiated back in 2007. The initial phase, beginning in 2008, was centered around King Faisal School, which served as a pioneering institution for the development and implementation of region-specific training modules for primary school educators. Subsequently, the second phase, initiated in 2014, expanded its support to encompass the IB Primary Years Program (PYP) and IB Middle Years Program (MYP). This expansion aimed to substantially increase the availability of Arabic-language educational programs across the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Additionally, it involved the establishment of a network of trainers capable of facilitating teacher professional development in Saudi Arabia and the wider Arabic-speaking world. Furthermore, support was extended to existing IB Diploma Program (DP) students studying in Arabic. King Faisal Foundation has invested over SAR 9 million ($2.5 million) in this transformative project.
King Faisal Foundation Assistant Secretary-General His Highness Prince Mansour bin Saad Al Saud commented on the three IB Days in Saudi Arabia, saying, “The collaboration between King Faisal Foundation and the International Baccalaureate Organization has led to 14 primary schools and 16 middle schools embarking on the journey towards implementing the International Baccalaureate program by the end of year 2018. As a consequential outcome, over 10 schools from various regions within the Kingdom achieved accreditation. At King Faisal Foundation, our commitment to advancing education through sustainable projects such as King Faisal Schools, Alfaisal University, and Effat University is unwavering. We strive to establish educational and research models that consistently yield exceptional outcomes and set a benchmark for others to follow. As part of this dedication, we have forged a close partnership with the esteemed International Baccalaureate Organization, renowned for its educational expertise and stringent quality standards. This collaboration, initiated by the Foundation, aims to expand educational horizons and foster opportunities for the implementation of International Baccalaureate programs within the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. It aligns seamlessly with our vision at King Faisal Foundation and with the Kingdom’s Vision 2030 to elevate educational excellence across the nation.”
The International Baccalaureate Organization (IB) is one of the leading international educational organizations in the world offering academic programs for students aged 3 to 19. The IB enables students to develop important skills for the future like analytical and critical thinking skills in addition to scientific research skills as well as fostering their personalities through providing them with a good understanding of research tools, encouraging them to serve the community, cultivating a deep sense of intellectual passion and curiosity among them, and enhancing their openness to different cultures. These programs also provide a holistic and globally minded learning experience preparing students with skills that extend far beyond the classroom so that they can become informed and educated citizens, committed to contributing meaningfully to society, equipped with the awareness to address harmful ideas and ideologies, and ready to embrace the opportunities of an ever-evolving landscape.
Dr. Sumaya Alyusuf, International Baccalaureate Development and Recognition Manager, said in this regard, “We need an education that blends cutting edge intelligence with cutting edge compassion, an IB education which asserts our Saudi identity and develops international mindedness.”