Students that graduate from International Baccalaureate programmes aspire to be: inquirers, knowledgeable, big thinkers, great communicators, principled, open-minded, caring, risk-takers, balanced and reflective. But why are these traits so important in the modern world, and why should schools be introducing them early on in the education process?
Children Need To Be Encouraged To Think Beyond Their Own Little World
The quality of early teacher-student relationships at school and the learning experiences that children are introduced to, can shape the way our young people behave, think and interact with others. Schools and teachers, therefore, have an exceptionally important role to play in developing the character, personality and wider outlook of the young people that they teach.
Now more than ever, given our interconnected world and need for a more global outlook, students need to think outside the box when it comes to acceptance, courtesy, humility, tolerance, truthfulness etc. They need to ponder deeply about things, be inquisitive and to accept those around them – despite differences, attitudes and ways.
The IB Learner Profile Aims To Develop The Whole Child
Education is the development of the whole person, not forgetting that learning is a lifelong process.
The IB Curriculum and ethos emphasise intellectual, personal, emotional and social growth through all domains of knowledge. The Learner Profile confirms the attributes that young people should develop through their experiences of IB age-related learning programmes.
A Public Statement Of Desired Values
The IB Learner Profile is a public statement of desired student outcomes arising from common values and a vision about the nature and purpose of education.
We as responsible educators then need to ensure that students leave with a broader mindset, good judgement and excellent interpersonal skills so that they can get on with anyone, irrespective of who they are, or where they are.
It’s that wider perspective, and interest and empathy for others that the IB Learner Profile epitomises. Why? Because without a broad, meaningful education, our young people stand little chance of success in the real world – and the sooner it starts, the better!
AISPP, an Australian Co-ed IB International K-12 school (Phnom Penh), is fast becoming one of the Kingdom of Cambodia’s leading education providers. Providing a modern Australian private and independent education, its 21st Century philosophy, state-of-the-art facilities and world-class teaching standards, make it ideally placed to prepare children for the global challenges and opportunities that lie ahead.