In the vibrant city of Lahore, parents often find themselves faced with an important decision regarding their child's primary education and secondary education: Should they opt for the International Baccalaureate (IB) system or opt for conventional primary school system? 

This is a choice that involves a careful consideration of various factors, including educational philosophy, objectives, and personal preferences. In this guide, we'll explore the key distinctions between these two educational pathways to help you make an informed decision. 

Curriculum And Approach

The International Baccalaureate Primary Years Programme (PYP) is the hallmark of the IB system. It's renowned for its inquiry-based curriculum that fosters critical thinking, creativity, and a global perspective. The IB system goes beyond the acquisition of academic knowledge; it places a strong emphasis on holistic development, including social and emotional growth.

In contrast, conventional primary schools in Lahore typically adhere to the national or provincial curriculum, which may vary from school to school. Private schools have syllabi geared towards Cambridge or Edexcel exams, whereas some private schools (Lahore American School and The International School of Choueifat) follow the American High School System. These schools may place more importance on standardized testing and employ traditional teaching methods.

IB Schools have a student-centred approach to learning where students are encouraged to ask questions, explore topics, and conduct research. Teachers act as facilitators, guiding students through projects and collaborative experiences that enhance their critical thinking skills. In contrast, the teaching methods can vary widely for other conventional schools. While some may incorporate modern teaching approaches, others may rely on more traditional methods, such as lectures and exams. 

Whilst IB does promote inquiry-based learning, where students are encouraged to ask questions, explore topics, and conduct research, it is different from conventional methods of teaching. The focus on IB is more on understanding and developing critical thinking, and less importance is placed on classwork, and conventional methods of testing.  This approach might foster critical thinking, but it may also lead to under development of key areas that might be needed for adaptability of the students to local universities that are still under the scrutiny of HEC (Higher Education Pakistan)

Technology In IB Schools Lahore: Good or Bad?

IB system is also known for its use of technology, including smart tablets, iPads etc. These technologies do brace our children for the future (think metaverse, AI etc.), there are certain disadvantages. Firstly, high exposure to LED devices is not conducive to maintaining eye health, and a child's cognitive functioning. Humans, since inception have grown up into adulthood and have developed their learning skills without such technologies. Furthermore, Lahore in particular and Pakistan in general does not have the educational infrastructure to translate such skills as most professions and higher education institutes still require notebooks, and exams to be taken in writing. Our most prestigious examinations, including CSS, FCPS, MCAT, ICAP (CA), are still conducted on paper. It is hence pertinent to note that any educational decision should be in context with the larger picture, taking into account the educational landscape of Lahore and Pakistan. 

Cost And Accessibility 

The IB system is high on the cost side, where average fee for a primary school student per month is around PKR 50,000. This makes IB schools highly inaccessible for middle or upper middle income groups, truly narrowing it for the established elite segments of Lahore. In terms of location, accessibility is slightly better with IB schools better established in posh areas of Lahore such as Gulberg and D.HA. with lesser accessibility in areas such as Bahira Town, Iqbal Town. Schools nearer to Iqbal Town or Bahria Town are more conventional with some IB schools near Valencia and DHA Rahbar. 

Parental Involvement

The IB system encourages strong parental involvement in a child's education. Parents are expected to participate in school activities and engage in discussions about the curriculum, fostering a collaborative learning environment. As opposed to conventional schools, parents interested in putting their children in IB Schools should be ready to face this decision of being extra involved in their children's school projects, school events, etc. 

Teacher Training

With the sudden of proliferation of IB schools in Pakistan and Lahore in particular, the most obvious question would be: Are schools keeping pace with maintenance of the student-teacher ratio? If yes, this poses another logical question: Are teachers being sensitized of the obligations that IB system entails? If the answer to both these questions is yes, then IB system is perhaps better suited to your child. 

If no especially to the latter, IB system can actually become a risk then appear as an opportunity. Teachers must be made cognizant of the duties and their ability to instil critical thinking in their students, so that the students can better take on the challenges that they would face in the near future. A comprehensive training program should be undertaken by these schools where teaching pedagogies should be appropriately disseminated.   

List of Best IB Schools In Lahore*

1. Lahore Grammar School Defence Phase V

2. Lahore Grammar School Defence Phase 1

3. TNS Beaconhouse

4. Learning Alliance International 

5. Beaconhouse College Campus Gulberg

6. Lahore Grammar School International

7. Sanjan Nagar Public Education Trust Higher Secondary School

8. Angels International College

*This is the updated list from the official website https://www.ibo.org/programmes/find-an-ib-school/