[News Terms] Deputy Prime Minister Lee Ju-ho Highlights the 'International Baccalaureate Program'

The 'International Baccalaureate (IB) program' is an internationally recognized educational program characterized by understanding- and inquiry-centered discussion-based classes that transcend subject boundaries, and an absolute evaluation system based on essay and oral assessments.

It is developed and operated by the IBO, a non-profit educational foundation established in Geneva, Switzerland, in 1968. It was designed with the goal of enabling children living abroad to receive quality education anywhere in the world. The IB is divided into the Primary Years Programme (PYP), Middle Years Programme (MYP), Diploma Programme (DP), and Career-related Programme (CP).

Lee Ju-ho, Deputy Prime Minister for Social Affairs and Minister of Education, visited Pyoseon High School in Seogwipo City, Jeju, on the 22nd to observe a science experiment class. Pyoseon High School is the only public high school in Jeju that offers the International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma Programme.
[Photo by Seogwipo Yonhap News]
jihopark@yna.co.kr
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Countries such as the United States, Japan, and Ecuador have introduced it to advance public education, and as of October 2021, it is offered in over 7,400 programs at more than 5,400 schools across 159 countries worldwide.

In South Korea, some schools in Jeju Island and Daegu Metropolitan City have adopted the IB program as part of public education and have received IB World School certification to conduct official classes. In Jeju, Pyoseon High School obtained IB World School certification in 2021 after two years as an IB candidate and interest school starting in 2019. Currently, a total of 12 schools in Jeju operate IB programs, including 9 PYP schools, 2 MYP schools, and 1 DP school.

In Daegu Metropolitan City, there are 14 IB World Schools certified (7 elementary, 4 middle, and 3 high schools), and 13 candidate schools preparing for IB certification (3 elementary, 7 middle, and 3 high schools). Five high schools?Gyeongbuk National University of Education High School, Daegu Foreign Language High School, Posan High School, Daegu International High School, and Daegu Seobu High School?have been operating the DP program (some schools offer IB Pre-DP) since this year.

On the 22nd, Lee Ju-ho, Deputy Prime Minister for Social Affairs and Minister of Education, visited Pyoseon High School in Seogwipo City, Jeju, an IB World School, for a meeting. In response to parents' concerns about entrance exam issues following the announcement of public education reinforcement measures the previous day, he said, "There are inherent limitations in how quickly the entrance exam system can change. However, entrance exams are not everything; what is important is the classes." He added, "Since the curriculum has many strengths, I hope the IB program will expand nationwide, not just remain in Jeju."