The International Baccalaureate and its Middle East challenge

Abstract

Purpose

The International Baccalaureate Organization (IBO) celebrates its 40th anniversary in 2008. The IBO published a strategic plan in 2004 calling for a shift towards directed growth of the three IB programmes, and greater access. The purpose of this paper is to show how the Middle East region offers a microcosm of the huge challenge facing the IBO in meeting its desired aims.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper presents the current situation regarding the IB in the Middle East region as defined by the International Air Transport Association standards organization. This involves a total of 16 countries.

Findings

The Middle East involves a relatively small area of IB activity in relation to the total number of “international schools” in the region. There is currently 48 schools offering 60 programmes, and comprising 2 percent of IB schools worldwide. Dubai in particular has seemingly much potential for future growth. No school offers the continuum of IB programmes.

Practical implications

This paper offers a regional insight into the challenge facing the IB in meeting its desired goals. It will allow for the success of the IB strategic plan to be assessed more fully in the year 2014.

Originality/value

The nature and development of the IB in the Middle East has received very little attention by the scholarly community in spite of 40 years of involvement. This is the first paper to offer a resource for evaluating the future success of the IB strategic plan.

Citation

Bunnell, T. (2008), "The International Baccalaureate and its Middle East challenge", Education, Business and Society: Contemporary Middle Eastern Issues, Vol. 1 No. 1, pp. 16-25. https://doi.org/10.1108/17537980810861484