The process is set to begin in the 2025-2026 academic year for Class 1, with subsequent grades eventually adopting the curriculum.
Published Jan 31, 2024 | 10:14 PM ⚊ Updated Jan 31, 2024 | 10:14 PM
On 31 January, an IB office was opened on the SCERT office premises in Vijayawada. (Supplied)
The Andhra Pradesh government is bringing international education, the International Baccalaureate (IB), to the state to strengthen the education system and equip students to become globally employable.
The government had signed a letter of intent with the IB in September last.
The IB will now become a part of the Andhra Pradesh State Council of Educational Research and Training (SCERT) to design a new curriculum.
On Wednesday, 31 January, an IB office was opened on the SCERT office premises in Vijayawada.
Around 45,000 government-run schools and 41 lakh students in the state will gain access to education of international standards, with an investment of US $585.289.
The process is set to begin in the 2025-2026 academic year for Class 1, with subsequent grades eventually adopting the curriculum.
With just around two months left before the elections, the establishment of IB could help the YSRCP in amplifying its pitch for reforms in the education sector.
With the partnership, the IB syllabus will now be available to government school students, opening doors to an internationally-recognised curriculum that nurtures critical thinking, creativity, and global citizenship.
Chief Minister YS Jagan Mohan Reddy stated that by integrating IB into the SCERT board, the government aims to usher in a transformation in curriculum, educational modules, and the establishment of new benchmarks.
Since the IB syllabus holds global recognition, the certificates earned by students and teachers would be recognised anywhere in the world. It also goes beyond traditional textbook learning, emphasising holistic development, interdisciplinary learning, balanced growth, and leadership development.
According to a statement by the chief minister’s office, the IB will be rolled out in stages, beginning with capacity building and training for teachers in 2024-25. It further stated that from the 2025-26 academic year, the IB will be introduced in Class 1, with subsequent grades adopting the curriculum in a phased manner.
“By 2034-35, all students up to Grade 10 will benefit from the IB approach, culminating in joint IB and state board certifications in April 2035. In 2036-37, IB will be extended to Grade 12, with dual certifications awarded in April 2037,” the release added.
“As we celebrate the signing of the MoU between the Andhra Pradesh government and the International Baccalaureate (IB), I’m especially thankful to Chief Minister YS Jagan Mohan Reddy for supporting this partnership to fruition,” Olli-Pekka Heinonen, Director-General of IB said in a statement.
“For a non-profit educational organisation with a purpose statement of creating better MOPs for the world through education. I cannot imagine a better collaboration than what we are starting today,” he added.
Ever since coming to power, Jagan has consistently pursued reforms in the education and health sectors.
Earlier, he was embroiled in controversy for introducing English as the medium of instruction in government schools while discontinuing Telugu as the medium of instruction in the 2019-20 academic year.
He also implemented a financial assistance programme under Jagananna Amma Vodi scheme, spending ₹26,067.28 crore so far on 83,15,341 students from classes 1 to Intermediate.
This initiative aimed at reducing the dropout rate in schools, making 75 percent attendance mandatory for availing ₹15,000 per student per annum, which is directly transferred to the account of the student’s mother.
Another scheme was of Jagananna Vidya Kanuka kits which comprised nine items, including bilingual textbooks (English content on one page and Telugu version on the opposite page), notebooks, workbooks, three pairs of uniforms with stitching charges, a pair of shoes, two pairs of socks, belt, a school bag, Oxford English–Telugu dictionary (for 6th-10th class students), and a pictorial dictionary (for 1-5 class students).
The government allocated ₹1,042.53 crore for the scheme in the 2023-2024 academic year and distributed kits to 43,10,165 students.
The government further claimed to have revamped the midday meal scheme, “Jagananna Gorumudda”, over the past four years with a budget of ₹1,824 crore per annum.
A total of 15 types of food items are being provided to children, including boiled eggs for five days a week, peanut chikki for three days, and ragi malt drink for three days.
Additionally, free tabs with Byju’s pre-loaded content are being provided to Class 8 students and teachers. Infrastructure development and upgradation in schools to meet IB standards are being carried out through Nadu-Nedu.
Further, under the Nadu-Nedu programme in 2023, 30,213 Interactive Flat Panels (IFP) were introduced in high schools and 10,038 Smart TVs in primary schools.
However, the Opposition TDP and JSP claimed that there is a lack of effective implementation. They accused the government of presenting inflated figures.
