44% increase in global growth over last 5 years
Newswise — 23 January 2013, Bethesda, MD: 2012 growth figures published today by the International Baccalaureate (IB) demonstrate the organization’s strong growth and continued leadership in international education.
In the last year, 317 new IB World Schools have been authorized to deliver IB programmes. Over a five year period the number of IB programmes has increased by 44%, from 3,007 in 2008 to 4,337 in 2012. Meanwhile, the number of students enrolled for exams in the IB’s prestigious Diploma Programme increased by 7% in 2012, supporting a 38% increase in the last 5 years, from 95,170 in 2008 to 131,365 in 2012.
Other developments in 2012 also show a growing engagement with governments and non-governmental organizations across the world to increase student access to an IB education, while a simultaneous commitment to on-going innovation and programme development also ensures the organization remains at the cutting edge of education.
The IB is now present in 144 countries, up from 132 in 2008. Part of the IB’s mission is to create an environment where more students are able to access and benefit from an IB education regardless of personal circumstances. The year 2012 has seen increased collaboration between IB and a number of global partners to tailor, provide support, and expand access to its education programmes worldwide including in Poland, South Africa, Japan, and Ecuador. The IB engages with governments across the world to increase access to its 4 programmes and to provide strategic support and expertise on educational issues. A number of such agreements were finalized in 2012, including in the Middle East, South America, and Spain.
The IB is also dedicated to broadening access through facilitating the development and marketing of new, innovative educational products and services. Following the successful completion of a pilot last year, the IB Career-related Certificate (IBCC) was rolled out globally, allowing students wishing to pursue a career-related education access to an IB education, and permitting schools that already offer the IB Diploma Programme to broaden their IB offering. Demand for the IBCC has been strong, and it is currently being offered in 45 schools worldwide, 22 of which are located in North America.
Two IB World Student Conferences were held in 2012 in Vancouver and Segovia. The new World Student Conference initiative gave 561 students from 49 countries a unique opportunity in 2012 to develop their learning, international understanding, and leadership skills. Four conferences are planned for 2013. They will take place in the USA, UK, Canada, and Hong Kong, and over 1400 students are expected to attend. More information on the World Student Conferences can be found at http://www.ibo.org/wsc.
Jeffrey Beard, Director General of the International Baccalaureate, had these reflections on the IB’s 2012 growth and development: “As the IB moves into its 45th year, increasing access to an IB education across the world and building our diverse global IB community remains at the very heart of our mission. We are delighted that there continues to be increasing demand for IB programmes worldwide, resulting in strong growth once again for the 2012 year. This builds on the success of past years and widens our global reach. We’re continually working to develop new and innovative product offerings to meet the demands of new audiences.”
About the IBFounded in 1968 the International Baccalaureate (IB) is a not-for-profit foundation, which offers four high quality and challenging educational programmes for a worldwide community of schools. For 45 years, IB programmes have gained a reputation for their rigour and high academic standards, for preparing students for life in a globalised 21st century, and for helping to develop citizens who will create a better, more peaceful world. Currently there are over 1 million IB students attending nearly 3500 schools in 144 countries. To learn more, please visit www.ibo.org.
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