Education is personal, distinctive, and transformative for children. International education programmes provide intriguing and challenging options. The IB and IGCSE are academic leaders with distinct teaching methods. Parents may find it challenging to choose the right school for their child. This journey is about customizing education for your kid, not only schools and curriculum. We’ll explore IB and IGCSE to learn what makes them distinctive and how to match them with your child’s goals.

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To provide you with an informative comparison between IB and IGCSE we gathered educators, politicians, parents, and students’ viewpoints. The opinions expressed here are personal and may not reflect the views of any organisation.

Programs Offered

International Baccalaureate (IB)

• Offers four educational programs catering to students aged 3-19.
• The programs include the Primary Years Programme (PYP) for ages 3-12, the Middle Years Programme (MYP) for ages 11-16, IB Diploma for ages 16-19, and the Career-related program for ages 16-19.
• Founded in 1968, IB is a non-profit educational foundation.
• IB does not set or mark formal examinations; it validates final-year student grades.

International General Certificate of Secondary Education (IGCSE)

• IGCSE is the international version of the British GCSE qualification, tailored for an international student body at the secondary level.
• It is a qualification based on individual subjects of study, with each subject resulting in an “IGCSE” qualification.
• The curriculum is designed for a structured examination approach, typically completed at the age of 16.

What Stakeholders Say

International Baccalaureate (IB):

International General Certificate of Secondary Education (IGCSE):

• IGCSE is perceived as curriculum-driven, with a straightforward exam-based approach.
• It is recognized for its structured examinations and external grading, which instils trust among stakeholders.
• IGCSE requires less time on administrative tasks, such as meetings and curriculum creation.
• Widely popular among Asian parents and teachers for its structured nature.

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Praises and Criticisms

International Baccalaureate (IB):

• IB is commended for its teacher and student flexibility, catering to local cultures and school expectations.
• The accountability in IB is external, with externally graded certificates holding strong credibility.
• The framework allows schools to work alongside other curricula, promoting flexibility.
• IB focuses on skills-based education and practical application, preparing students for a global perspective.

International General Certificate of Secondary Education (IGCSE):

International Baccalaureate (IB):

• Critics argue that the implementation of IB heavily depends on the efforts of individual schools and teachers.
• IB demands continuous evaluation and curriculum updates based on student abilities, making it demanding for teachers.
• Some perceive IB as an elitist program, accessible mainly to the wealthy elite.
• The cost of IB workshops and training can be prohibitive for some schools.
• Some universities do not recognize IB diplomas as equivalent to local diplomas in certain regions.

International General Certificate of Secondary Education (IGCSE):

• IGCSE is criticized for its focus on exams, limiting the ability of schools to educate comprehensively.
• Some argue that IGCSE is not truly international and has a strong UK focus.
• It lacks assessment-based coursework, relying primarily on exams.
• Critics suggest it doesn’t promote holistic and connected thinking in students.

Conclusion

As we finish this trip, remember that it’s about your child’s future and their route, not IB or IGCSE.IB may encourage a comprehensive approach, a passion for study, and life skills. IGCSE may provide organized coursework, difficult tests, and a smooth transition to college. Both can provide your child with a top-notch education. Learn your child’s requirements, preferences, and objectives to determine the perfect programme for them.

This educational path is led by you, parents and guardians. Trust your intuition, listen to your child’s goals, and consult with educators and institutions that provide these programmes. You can help your kid succeed academically and emotionally and set them up for a great future with the correct choice. Whether it’s IB or IGCSE, the objective is to cultivate your child’s unique potential and make their educational experience meaningful.

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The event will be organized in collaboration with The Hindu Education Plus as a part of career counselling series.

They can also gain insights from the panel of young entrepreneurs which would be of help in building one’s own entrepreneurial ventures.

VIT Webinar registration process

Those willing to take part in the webinar can register for the event and the process is mentioned below:

Link

Participants can type the URL ‘https://thehindutheme.zoom.us/webinar/register/7117434893454/WN_ZS_wJntaRjeYFaKC6DPmAQ#/registration‘ into their browser and when website downloads, they can fill the required information and then register for the webinar.

Social Media

Participants can also visit various handles of social media platforms to register for the webinar. The process is mentioned below for their sake:

Facebook

Enthusiasts about entrepreneurship can visit Facebook at ‘https://www.facebook.com/vituniversity/photos/unlock-the-secrets-to-start-up-success-join-the-hindu-in-association-with-vit-ve/1057814903048343/?_rdr’

Once the account is open, they can either scan the QR code or click the link ‘
https://thehindutheme.zoom.us/…/WN_ZS_wJntaRjeYFaKC6DPmAQ’ to register.

Instagram

This platform can be accessed through the link ‘https://www.instagram.com/vellore_vit/p/DH7pxFsNM0F/’

Once the webpage is open, they can scan QR code on the image there or click ‘
https://thehindutheme.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_ZS_wJntaRjeYFaKC6DPmAQ’ to register.

LinkedIn

This platform is accessible through ‘https://www.linkedin.com/posts/vellore-institute-of-technology_vit-thehinduwebinar-startupsuccess-activity-7313066221069832194-I1-v’

Once the webpage opens, candidates can click ‘
https://lnkd.in/dbq45D-Z’ or scan the QR code on the image there to register.

The campus has a cosmopolitan atmosphere with students from all corners of the globe. Experienced and learned teachers are strongly encouraged to nurture the students.

The global standards set the institution in the field of teaching and research spur us on in our relentless pursuit of excellence. In fact, it has become a way of life for them.

The highly motivated youngsters on the campus are a constant source of pride. Their Memoranda of Understanding with various international universities are their major strength.

They provide for an exchange of students and faculty and encourage joint research projects for the mutual benefit of these universities. Many of our students, who pursue their research projects in foreign universities, bring high quality to their work and esteem to India and have done us proud. With steady steps, they continue their march forward.

The institution aspires to bring excellence in education, grounded in ethics and critical thinking, for improvement of life. It also desires to bring an innovation ecosystem to extend knowledge and solve critical problems.

It wishes to form an active collaboration with national & international industries and universities for productivity and economic development. The idea is also to do service to the region and world through knowledge and compassion. The institution has been ranked by MHRD NIRF Ranking, Govt. of India 2024 – 10th Best in University.

The institution has 372 acre eco-friendly campus with over 80.92 lakh sq.ft. built-up area at Vellore & 192 acre eco-friendly second campus with over 48.70 lakh sq.ft built up area at Chennai.

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