As we just a heard, the local branch of the Korean Teachers & Educational Workers Union staunchly opposes the introduction of the IB curriculum in local public schools. But what exactly is that curriculum? Here’s Mike Laidman to explain.

The provincial office of education plans to introduce the International Baccalaureate, or IB curriculum, at the island’s schools. Insiders have conflicting opinions on whether or not this is a wise choice.

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Branksome Hall Asia in Daejeong-eup, Seogwipo

This is a design class at Branksome Hall Asia that uses the IB curriculum.

The girls choose a theme for their design project and lead the class themselves.

INTERVIEW
Shin Da-gyeong / Grade 12, Branksome Hall Asia
At public schools, students follow a specific subject that a teacher provides. This means students all do similar work. But my design and technology teacher gives us an overarching subject, and we ourselves select a theme and complete our own project.
[인터뷰 신다경 / 브랭섬 홀 아시아 12학년]
"공립학교에서 시행되는 과목은 선생님이 주제를 주면 학생들은 다 똑같은 주제를 하기 때문에 다들 비슷한 결과물이 나오는 것 같은데 제가 하는 디자인 & 기술이라는 과목은 선생님이 큰 주제를 던져 주면 저희가 그 안에서 소 주제를 찾고 저희만의 프로젝트를 만들어 나가서..."

INTERVIEW
Aidan Hammond / Head of Design and Technology, Branksome Hall Asia

[인터뷰 애이댄 / 브랭섬 홀 아시아 교사 ]
"교재는 문제 인식을 제한하거나 한계가 있습니다. 교실안 학생들은 질문하거나 직접 해보면서 디자인과 문제 해결 능력을 키워나가죠. "

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IB curriculum recognized by 2,000 universities in 75 countries

The IB curriculum is designed by the International Baccalaureate Organization, a not-for-profit education foundation, and is globally recognized by about 2,000 universities in 75 countries for the holistic and rigorous education it provides.

CG-IN

Students are required to take one class from among six main subjects, these being their mother language, foreign language, social studies, science, mathematics, and art/PE.

Unlike the current Korean education model which focuses mainly on memorization and single-answer tests, the IB curriculum encourages creative and critical thinking.

The IB curriculum stimulates conversations and discussion and evaluates student performance via short-answer exams.
CG-OUT

INTERVIEW
Cinde Lock / Head of Senior School, Branksome Hall Asia
[인터뷰 신디 럭 / 브랭섬 홀 아시아 총교장 ]
"50년 전 시작된 IB는 이수 받은 학생들은 어디 출신인 지 상관없이 어느 대학에 지원하더라도 비슷한 성과를 낼 수 있는 것을 인정받고 그래서 일정 수준 이상의 교육 과정이 운영됩니다. 글로벌 인재로 성장하게 되는 것이죠."

But the provincial office of education’s plan to introduce the IB curriculum has sparked controversy in public schools.

CG IN

[Issue 1] Can teachers manage the IB curriculum?


Issue
Can teachers manage the IB curriculum?


CG OUT

Supporters say that teachers are ready to handle the international curriculum and that similar curricula have already been adopted at some schools. The IB program should therefore be manageable through regular training programs.

INTERVIEW
Yi Gang-shik / Jeju Provincial Office of Education
The IB curriculum will help boost the quality of education in Jeju by securing more teacher autonomy. Helping students compete with their peers around the globe is not the first goal.
[인터뷰 이강식 / 제주도교육청 학교혁신담당 ]
"실제 그 프로그램을 이수해서 해외대학 진학 기회를 열어주자는 것이 아니라 선생님들이 자율성을 갖고서 수업을 계획하고 다양한 방법으로 수업을 진행하는데 그 다음 이어지는 평가 시스템을 (IB를) 활용해서 하면 훨씬 더 제주교육이 질적 성장을 가져 올 것이다. "

But critics question the effectiveness of the introduction of a curriculum which comes from a completely different educational background. They argue that even training programs might not realize the aims of the IB curriculum.

INTERVIEW
Kim Hong-seon / Teacher, Hwabuk Elementary School
The IB curriculum is more than just a course of study. Teachers should be involved in developing a curriculum and evaluation tools from the very beginning. I think that while many teachers in Jeju are qualified to handle the curriculum, they are too busy to implement it. They need time.
[인터뷰 김홍선 / 화북초 교사]
"(IB는) 실질적으로 교육과정을 뛰어넘는 교육이에요. 교육과정을 처음 짤 때부터 교사가 평가단계까지 고민하면서 일련의 교육과정을 처음부터 끝까지 다 준비한다고 봐야하거든요. 현재 교사들이 그런 능력이 없어서 그 것을 못하느냐 저는 그렇게 보지 않고 너무 바빠요. 지금도 교사들이 그것을 할 여유와 시간이 된다면 분명히 할 교사들이 많거든요."

[Reporter] Mike Laidman
[Camera] Ko Moon-su

The internationally-recognized IB curriculum would complement the existing Jeju education system, but such an introduction would definitely require a lot of communication and cooperation between all parties involved in education.

Mike Laidman, KCTV