In a significant move aimed at strengthening global education systems, the International Baccalaureate (IB) and the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO) have announced an enhanced partnership to support educational development across their member states.
The International Baccalaureate is strengthening its partnership with South Korean Offices of Education to support the expansion of IB programmes in public schools. The collaboration focuses on sustainable growth, teacher development, and aligning international education standards with national priorities, helping create a more globally competitive and future-ready education system in South Korea.
The IB Educator Certificate Program (IBEC) is having a transformational impact on the way that education is changing in South Korea. Since 2020, IBEC has been instrumental in helping many universities become certified in the program, leading to more than 800 trained teachers and fast-tracking the establishment of IB World Schools throughout the nation.
With the support of university institutions, local education offices, and the schools themselves, IBEC has facilitated a sustainable pathway of educators skilled in inquiry-based teaching methodology and global education philosophy. In addition, IBEC is spearheading a paradigm shift from conventional memorization to more conceptual teaching approaches and putting a greater focus on mental well-being.
A new study by the Australian Council for Educational Research (ACER) found that students in the International Baccalaureate (IB) Primary Years Programme (PYP) and Middle Years Programme (MYP) outperform their peers from non-IB schools on international academic benchmarks. Analysing results from more than 71,000 students across 254 international schools in the 2023–2024 International Schools’ Assessment (ISA), the research shows IB students consistently achieved higher scores across subjects and grade levels. MYP students also exceeded global PISA benchmarks in mathematics, reading, and science, reinforcing the strong academic outcomes associated with IB programmes.
The International Baccalaureate (IB) has returned as a sponsor of SXSW EDU in Austin, Texas, continuing its efforts to promote innovation and collaboration in global education. The event brings together educators, students, policymakers, and thought leaders from around the world to exchange ideas and explore new approaches to teaching and learning. Through its participation, the IB highlights the impact of IB World Schools and their role in developing globally minded learners equipped with critical thinking, multilingual communication, and intercultural skills. With a strong presence in the United States since 1971—including 184 IB World Schools in Texas the organisation continues to work with schools and districts to prepare students for success in an increasingly interconnected world.
