IB schools to offer vocational courses

Students at International Baccalaureate (IB)-affiliated schools will soon have the option of completing the Class 12 IB Diploma with a vocational certification.

Students at International Baccalaureate (IB)-affiliated schools will soon have the option of completing the Class 12 IB Diploma with a vocational certification.

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The IB, which has 23 affiliated schools in Mumbai, launched the International Baccalaureate Career-related Certificate (IBCC) in January allowing students to study a vocational subject as part of their plus-two course. The board has not decided if the option will be available to students in the new term beginning this month or later.

“It’s aimed at schools that want to offer another option to students,” said Sebastien Barnard, regional communications and marketing manager, IB.

Possible career-related courses include fashion designing, hotel and tourism, and journalism.“It is the school’s responsibility to determine the appropriate course(s),” said Ian Chambers, IB’s regional director, Asia Pacific. “The chosen course(s) should consider the local context and align with student needs, whether they are used to support further studies or to assist direct employment opportunities.”

Schools can choose who they want to partner with to provide these courses, Chambers added. So far, 17 schools across the country have expressed an interest in offering the IBCC, of which four are from Mumbai.

“It’s a good course—a value-added option from the IB,” said Vandana Lulla, principal of Podar International School in Santacruz.