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Based on the strength of the IB program, it has been extended to include primary and lower secondary education. The Primary Years Programme (PYP) was created for students from 3 to 12 years old. Sometimes it’s presented as an introductory program for students intending to enter the intermediate IB Middle Years Programme, and ultimately intending to complete the IB Diploma Programme .
Of course, this is true, but this program accomplishes more than this. Schools decide to offer the IB PYP because of its high quality and reputation, as well as merit of the curriculum and teaching model. Families decide to enrol their children in PYP because it’s an attractive alternative to traditional school programs. It also has a number of other advantages.
Advantages of the International Baccalaureate PYP
The IB PYP has several benefits. These include its:
- strong scientific foundations and great teachers,
- requirement of bilingualism,
- value-based approach,
- broader scope of teaching and accuracy of instruction,
- global perspective.
As with later degrees, the program consists of interdisciplinary topics, each of which develops students' understanding of who they are and the way their lives intersect with the lives of others, both within and outside the local community. The program aims not only at offering core academics, but also at developing, among other traits, creativity, sensitivity, responsibility, and critical thinking in children. The basic curriculum covers six topics: language (native and foreign), mathematics, the exact sciences, physical education, art, and social sciences. These are all taught through the prism of interdisciplinary topics.
Accreditation of IB schools
Accreditation is awarded by the International Baccalaureate educational foundation in Geneva, Switzerland. The term "International Baccalaureate" is used generally and may refer to the organization, degree, or study programs. Before 2007, the main accreditation body was formally known as the International Baccalaureate Organization (IBO), although since then it has simply been known as the International Baccalaureate.
Schools applying for running the IB programme undertake a 3 to 4 year authorization/accreditation process, depending on when the school formally starts the academic year. Each school accredited to offer one of the four core IB programs is called an “IB World School.” This means it belongs to the group of about 1000 schools in the world that meet the highest quality standards in education set by IB experts. Any school that’s involved in the accreditation process is known as an IB Candidate School.
All accredited schools take part in a continuous process of regulation and development. In some cases, this process is supported and/or facilitated by regional organizations. However, accreditation is only possible through a central accreditation body.
Schools that offer IB programs for all ages, from the first years to the high school diploma, refer to themselves as IB Continuum Schools. Schools typically develop an IB continuum over time, adding programs as the school develops and responds to student needs.
PYP in numbers
The PYP is offered in 1,716 schools in 109 countries.
In Poland, where the first school with the IB programme was only established in 1993, the PYP programme is implemented by 12 accredited schools (including several public schools).
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