IB World recalls some memorable news stories of the year
If you watch or read the news, you’ll know 2016 has been an eventful year for lots of great – and some not so great – reasons. But there have been many uplifting and memorable moments in international education, including new partnerships, campaigns and strategies to ensure quality education is available to all, as IB World explores.
Rihanna became an advocate for gender equality in education
Singer Rihanna used her influence to highlight gender inequality in education. Rihanna’s Clara Lionel Foundation, which aims to ensure that all children receive quality education, announced a partnership with the Global Partnership for Education (GPE) and international advocacy group Global Citizen in September. Rihanna was also named a GPE Global Ambassador and will encourage world leaders and policymakers to boost their support for global education and education in emergencies.
Ellen MacArthur Foundation and IB partnership
IB students will learn about the circular economy in 2017, following a partnership between the organization and the Ellen MacArthur Foundation.
The collaboration, launched at the IB conference in Barcelona, Spain, in October, is designed to help students consider the interconnectedness of an increasingly complex world. For example, the new 2017 IB Diploma Programme (DP) geography course incorporates specific references to the circular economy.
New study reaffirmed that educated girls will boost the economy
Ensuring girls stay in school could boost the developing world economy by US$21bn (£17bn) a year according to a UN study, published in October.
The UN’s Population Fund (UNFPA) called on governments to introduce policies. The fund also found that for every extra year of education beyond the age of 10, girls’ future income rises by an average of 12 per cent.
New IB financial education programme
The IB launched a new financial education initiative in June to offer UK students the opportunity to gain practical and academic knowledge and skills.
IB Career-Related Programme (CP) students will be able to learn about the financial services sector in their final two years of high school education. The programme, which will partner with the Chartered Institute of Securities and Investment (CISI), will be piloted at five schools before being offered to all eligible students.
2.8 million children received critical educational materials
Children throughout Ethiopia were given books, pens, and pencils by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), following one of the worst droughts in the country in more than 50 years.
Thousands of students took first MYP e-Assessments
More than 7,500 Middle Years Programme (MYP) students received their eAssessment results following the first non-pilot live MYP examination session in May. The session was also the first time that all MYP schools took part in IB-validated moderation of the Personal Project.
University offered free courses to refugees
The University of the People, based in California, USA, made headlines when it offered degree courses to 500 Syrian refugees.
The non-profit project offers higher education to those with the capability and desire for it, but not the means. It already offers four-year online degrees in around 180 countries.
#YesAllGirls campaign catches world leaders’ attention
Malala Yousafzai, the teenage campaigner for female education and the youngest ever Nobel Peace Prize winner, created the #YesAllGirls campaign this year as she continues to work towards her goal of ensuring all girls receive an education.
The campaign focused on refugee girls, and encouraged supporters to share photos of themselves in solidarity for refugee girls who do not receive an education. The images were displayed across New York City, US, in November as world leaders gathered in the city for annual meetings.
11 schools celebrated 25 years as IB World Schools
Boasting a total of 275 teaching years between them, 2016 marked the 25th anniversary of becoming an IB World School for 11 schools in Africa, Europe, and the Middle East (EMEA).
Michelle Obama ‘rose’ to improve girls’ education
On 12 October, following the International Day of the Girl, Former First Lady Michelle Obama released We Will Rise: Michelle Obama’s Mission to Educate Girls Around the World. The film highlighted the challenges many girls overcome to get an education and change their lives.
462 new IB programmes implemented around the world
This includes 29 CPs, 115 MYPs, 185 DPs and 133 Primary Years Programmes (PYPs). In addition, 435 schools implemented at last one IB programme in 2016.
Tell us your top moments of 2016! Email: editor@ibo.org