SINGAPORE : Latest results from the International
Baccalaureate (IB) examinations show that Singapore students are
among the top performers worldwide.
In fact, they make up about half of the world's
perfect scorers.
It was a leap of faith that 19-year-old Amanda Ang
took when she chose to pursue the IB Diploma at St Joseph's
Institution International two years ago.
She said: "At the beginning, my mother wanted me to go to junior
college instead, but later on, she saw that I became much more
passionate about learning, and I was given the opportunity to be
involved in many different areas. I wouldn't normally have the
opportunity to, and so she was supportive of my decision in the
end."
And it has paid off. Amanda graduated among the top of her batch
last year.
Her counterparts at other schools did just as well.
Four schools under the Education Ministry currently offer the IB
programme.
They are Anglo-Chinese School (Independent), Anglo Chinese
International, St Joseph's Institution International and Hwa Chong
International.
Anglo-Chinese School (Independent) produced half of the world's
perfect scorers.
The International Baccalaureate Organisation said 57 students
worldwide achieved the maximum score of 45. Anglo-Chinese School
(Independent) produced 28 perfect scorers.
Hwa Chong International saw a pass rate of 100 per cent, while it
was 96 per cent for Anglo Chinese International.
The schools said the IB programme gives them the flexibility to
offer a holistic and creative curriculum.
Students are engaged through a wide lesson plan, which includes
outdoor activities like St Joseph's Institution International's
Challenge Week.
Brian Christian, principal of St Joseph's Institution
International, said: "They have a set budget and they have to leave
Singapore and they have to take on a service-orientated challenging
project for a week.
"They are on their own and I think the independence they develop is
brilliant. We allow students to explore areas that would not be
available to them in something like the 'A' Levels
programme."
The International Baccalaureate Organisation said the programme's
difficulty suits Singaporean students' insatiable pursuit to
achieve.
Amanda from St Joseph's Institution International said: "It is not
really more difficult than any other way. It just focuses a lot
more on individual opinion and ideas and creativity and it is less
exam focused, but it allows us to focus more on our individual
projects and assessments."
Including private institutions, there are currently 23 schools
which offer the IB programme in Singapore.
- CNA/ms