Diploma International Baccalaureate® (IB)

BACKGROUND

The International Baccalaureate® (IB) Diploma Program is a pre-university program recognized internationally. This program spans two years, equivalent to four semesters. The IB Diploma is an accepted qualification for admission to undergraduate degree programs both within and outside the country. The program has been implemented at The Malay College Kuala Kangsar, Perak since 2011 and at Kolej Tunku Kurshiah, Negeri Sembilan since 2016.

The Ministry of Education Malaysia (MOE) plays a role in coordinating the operation of the IB Diploma Program in MOE schools, while the International Baccalaureate Organization (IBO), headquartered in Geneva, Switzerland, is responsible for developing policies, curriculum, assessments, and quality control for the program.

The implementation of the IB Diploma Program was approved in the MOE Professional Meeting No. 1/2009 dated January 7, 2009, and the MOE Top Management Meeting No. 9/2009 dated June 24, 2009.

For schools selected to implement the IB Diploma Program, they must go through the IB recognition process based on the Guide to School Authorization: Diploma Programme, which can be downloaded from the official IBO website(www.ibo.org).

OBJECTIVES

The objectives of implementing the IB Diploma Program in MOE schools are as follows:

• To develop well-rounded leaders

In line with the aspirations of the Education Development Master Plan (PIPP) 2006-2010, to develop well-rounded and highly skilled individuals.

• International recognition

The program aligns with the aspirations outlined in the Malaysia Education Development Plan (PPPM) 2013-2025. The implementation of this program in MOE is in line with the goal of elevating Malaysia's education system to an international level.

CONCEPTS

The IB Diploma Program outlines the curriculum concept as follows:

Image Description: Concept of the IB Diploma Program

• This concept is implemented through a cross-disciplinary teaching and learning (PdP) approach for each subject group and the application of core elements.
• The concept of the IB Diploma Program curriculum (Diagram 1) is designed to produce balanced individuals with a global mindset who appreciate humanity and the environment towards a safe and prosperous life.
• Students in the IB Diploma Program are profiled as individuals with curiosity, critical thinking skills, effective communication, open-mindedness, and a willingness to take risks.

STUDENT MANAGEMENT

Student management in the IB Diploma Program involves the following:

• Student Selection

Students offered admission to the IB Diploma Program must meet all the program's admission criteria set by the school.

• Funding

Students offered admission must finance the cost of education through sponsorship from the government, private sector, statutory bodies, or privately.

• Student Character

Students are subject to school rules and discipline.

LEARNING MANAGEMENT

• Subject Groups and PdP Allocation

The IB Diploma Program curriculum consists of three core elements: Theory of Knowledge (ToK), Creativity, Activity and Service (CAS), and Extended Essay (EE), as well as six subject groups as listed in Table 1.

*SL – Standard Level

HL – Higher Level

Table 1: IB Diploma Program Curriculum

• The PdP (teaching and learning) time allocation for Standard Level (SL) subjects is 150 hours, while for Higher Level (HL) subjects, it is 240 hours.
• Subject Selection

Each student is required to choose one subject from the six subject groups, namely Studies in Language and Literature, Language Acquisition, Individual and Societies, Sciences, Mathematics, and The Arts. However, the subject from group 6 (The Arts) can be replaced with one subject from group 1, 2, 3, 4, or 5 (Refer to Table 1).

• Students can choose to take:
  • Three HL subjects and three SL subjects; or
  • Four HL subjects and two SL subjects.

• Islamic Studies is an additional subject that must be taken by Muslim students in accordance with Section 50 of the Education Act 1996 [Act 550].
• The selection of HL subjects is closely related to the field of study that will be pursued at the undergraduate level. Each field of study has combinations of subjects based on examples in Table 2.

Table 2: Subject Combinations by Field of Study

• Duration of PdP

The IB Diploma Program offers a two-year course spanning four semesters, with each semester consisting of 20 weeks. The distribution for one semester is as follows:

• • 17 weeks of PdP (teaching and learning);
  • one week of preparation; and
  • two weeks of examinations.
• Offered Subjects

The subjects offered are based on student demand, teacher expertise, and school facilities.