Further Studies: A-levels or IBDP
Today hundreds of thousands of parents and guardians across the globe face a stark dilemma as to what is the right Board of Education for their children to comfortably get enrolled to a prestigious college or a university and have access to the global market of the twenty-first century. Choosing the best Board of Education/Programme for further studies especially after junior school, Matriculation or Grade Ten is indeed a Herculean task for many.The world is changing with the needs and the demands of the time for the people and they need the same kinds of working force that does not become easily obsolete after two to three decades of the completion of higher studies or obtaining a university degree. In order for that kind of education to be obtained or provided, today's youth and their parents or guardians are even more anxious and stressed. The situation even worsens when they find a number of choices but beyond the size of their pockets.
I have tried to list out some of the basic pros and cons of some major international and national boards or programmes available in the region to enable the school graduates and their parents to choose the best Board of Education that suits their needs and situations.
AS & A Level
It is a Secondary School Equivalent Programme, Grades 11 and 12 for 16-19 year teenagers. Based in the UK which is strictly monitored and supervised by Cambridge University’s Cambridge Assessment International Examinations (CAIE) cell. It has more than 160 affiliates all over the world facilitated by either the British Council or are directly linked to Cambridge University.
There is an increasing attraction towards this programme for several factors.
Advantages
1) Carries the ethos of Understanding, Knowledge, Skills and Application
2) Internationally accredited to major universities across the world.
3) A wide choice in six groups from 55 different subjects
4) More advanced curriculum; reviewed every two years
5) No fixed subjects like in other boards
6) You can choose your own examination time; June or November
7) Superfast results processing time (2 months’ time)
8) Focus on independent and creative learning
9) High-tech material delivery system
10) Collaborative, project, task, research-based learning
11) Opportunity for global competition and similar recognition
12) Develops teenagers into global citizens
Disadvantages
1) Very expensive programme; not all parents and students can afford
2) Dearth of materials and professionals to teaching and learning
3) Available only in Metropolitan cities across the world
4) Meant for highly creative smart learners
5) Not a strictly time-bound programme
6) Lazy and average learners may not perform well
7) Needs good command over English communication skills
8) The subject combination may not comfortably allow students to sit for competitive examinations like Medical and Engineering: IOE, IOM, AIT, USMLE, NIIT, IIT, IIM, IAS, etc. but it does not apply the smart learners in GCSE, Cambridge A-levels.
International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme (IB-DP)
It is also like the A-level Programme meant for 16-19 year teenagers. It has international accreditation to major universities in the world. Over 3,293 schools worldwide called IB World Schools are currently offering the IB Diploma Programme in over 153 countries. There are many benefits to choosing the Diploma Programme (DP). The sole goal of this programme is to develop learners having an excellent spectrum of knowledge and skills into physically, intellectually, emotionally and ethically strong global citizens to lead the world.
Alike the Cambridge A-Level programme, the IB curriculum is made up of six subject groups and the DP core comprises Theory of Knowledge (TOK), Creativity, Activity, Service (CAS) and the Extended Essay. Some of the factors why the IB-DP programmes are becoming increasingly popular these days are:
Advantages
1) A two year (Standard and Higher Level) programme of international recognition
2) More vigorous and academically challenging programme
3) Worth of two long years of rigorous and dedicated studies
4) Challenging learners to excel in their studies and to constantly compete with oneself
5) Inclusion of Internal Assessment
6) Enable learners to question and enquire assumption (TOK)
7) A precise preparation for College/University enrollment
8) It’s easy in the first year at college
9) Creativity, Activity and Service incorporated into the course
10) All support for your achievement
11) No chance of getting into bad companies
12) Develop International mindedness/understanding
13) Inclusion of compulsory cultural tasks
14) Available online to reach the global needs
15) Simple and easy grading system in both Standard Level and Higher Level
16)Inclusion of streamlined electives subject with compulsory core elements like-
a) Theory of Knowledge
b) The Extended Essay
c) CAS (Creativity, Activity and Service)
Disadvantages
1) Very heavy syllabus
2) Not all parents and students can afford to pay for the fee and materials
3) Bulky everyday home assignments
4) Even loss of health and heavy extortion
5) Vey less time for social life
6) No extensive subject electives like in A-levels
7) Strictly disciplined and hardworking learners who are good time managers and organisers are likely to perform well
8) No guarantee that you get an IBDP at the end of the term, if you don’t perform well
9) Study like every day is your exam day
10) Dearth of materials and teachers at all parts
11) Need an internet with a good bandwidth connection for online and material procurement.
Having listed some of the pros and cons of these two different programmes, it is solely upon you how and why to make the best choice for your children to instil in them the values, knowledge and skills the 21st-century demands.
