I B A s i a Pa c i f i c e N ew s let t er D ecember 2 012
Dear Colleagues, 2012 represents a milestone in IBAP as the Regional Office moves forward with its mission to improve the world through leadership in international education. The IB is increasingly responding to government initiatives across Asia that seek to develop the skills and attributes inherent in an IB education into their national system. We are working with the Japanese government (MEXT) to widen access to the IB Diploma by translating and assessing a selected group of DP courses. In Malaysia, we will be working with ten schools to introduce MYP after a period of sustained and intensive professional development support for leaders, administrators and teachers. These projects are visible ways of how the IB is becoming involved in educational transformation in the region and are at the heart of why the organisation was founded. Along with these projects, growth of programmes is surging as more schools seek candidacy and authorisation. It is important to remember that these governments and schools come to us because of the exemplary model that IB World Schools and educators demonstrate, day in day out. In 2012 we have delivered workshops for over thirteen thousand educators. In August, three hundred and sixty teachers attended workshops in www.ibo.org
China - all led in mother tongue. The IB is only able to deliver high-quality professional development and authorization visits because it partners with inspiring educators who share their best practice with others. With growing interest in an IB education, we have trained over one hundred and forty new IB educators at locations across the region. It is noteworthy that thirty of these are Japanese-English bilingual Workshop Leaders who will be essential in our project with the MEXT, Japan. To facilitate further access into the IB Educator Network (IBEN), the organisation has agreed to bear all costs, including travel, thus enabling educators to attend our IB educator training and become workshop leaders and site visitors. We want to ensure that educators come from the widest backgrounds and represent the most experienced and passionate classroom practitioners. As an organisation and as educators we have exciting challenges ahead of us in 2013. For now, it is time to rest and take stock of another successful year for the IB and schools in IBAP. On behalf of the IB, I would like to thank you for your support, contribution and dedication you have given throughout 2012. May you have a wonderful break and I look forward to meeting many of you at our Regional Conference in Kuala Lumpur. Warm Regards, Ian Chambers Director, IB Asia Pacific www.ibo.org/ibap
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