The International Baccalaureate Organization’s (IB) Heads Council, consisting of twelve elected members from across the world, holds an advisory role that aims to share an additional voice to the IB. This is particularly important for the students, teachers and schools as the organization continues to navigate the tumult caused by COVID-19.
Now, more than ever, it is important to come together as a community committed to our mission of developing international education that creates a better world.
Tough situations often bring out the best in the human and academic spirit. As we advise the IB, we are focused on keeping students, teachers, and families safe during this pandemic. There are many unique precautions, changes, and adaptations that are necessary, and we appreciate the IBs openness to our counsel.
Through the IB programmes, students are encouraged to take responsibility for their own learning and understand how knowledge itself is constructed. They are taught how to ask challenging questions, think critically, and dig deeper into areas of interest. These skills, combined with an emphasis on community involvement, prepare our students to succeed in an ever-changing global economy.
We would like to thank Director General Kumari, and all the staff at the IB for doing their best to ensure the safety of our students and teachers while upholding the highest standards. This year has presented many challenges to the IB’s 52 years of established assessment practices. Over the course of 3 months, the IB team worked with statistical experts to deliver fair and accurate results while considering each country’s unique regulatory requirements. We appreciate the IB’s willingness to review results and make changes to the May 2020 assessment model as appropriate.
While we know some decisions can be difficult and may not always be popular, we will always keep focused on the mission and integrity of IB education.
From 30 November – 14 December, we will join our IB World Schools colleagues from around the world at the IB Virtual Conference to discuss the future of education. We look forward to this opportunity to reflect, to create new models of what the education of tomorrow can be and imagine how education might unfold for students, teachers and learning community in the future. Of course, we expect the IB will continue to lead the way.
In the words of UN Secretary General Antonio Gutteres, “We must take bold steps now, to create inclusive, resilient, quality education systems fit for the future.”
The Heads Council
Alongside the Board of Governors, Director General, and Senior Leadership Team, the IB has councils and boards that support the organization in its functions.
