IB MYP POLICIES
IB MYP Personal Project (Handbook)
MYP Parent Hand Book 2021-22

About the IB MYP

IB at Newlands:

Newlands takes pride in introducing international curricula, including IB. Newlands moving towards an IB continuum school over the years, is not a sudden change but a natural progression of an IB World school that has very successfully implemented the IB PYP and has grown over the years as a school of choice and repute.

There are currently 3 Newlands’ campuses across Pakistan: Newlands Lahore, Newlands Islamabad and Newlands Multan. Newlands Lahore has the distinction of being the first IB PYP authorized school in the Beaconhouse System and amongst all the private schools in Lahore offering IB. All Newlands schools are now offering MYP as candidate schools. Newlands Islamabad is now a continuum school offering all three programmes of IB i.e. PYP, MYP and DP.
IGCSE will be phased out.

About the IB-MYP Curriculum

IB is one of the fastest growing educational programs, over 5,000 vastly diverse schools offer 4 IB programmes in 150 countries. IB continuum of education from 3 to 19 years old offering 4 programmes: Primary Years programme (PYP, 3-12), Middle Years Programme (MYP, 12-16), Diploma Programme (DP, 16-19) and *Career-related Programme (CP,16-19)

*Not offered in Pakistan

The Middle Years Programme (MYP) is one of four International Baccalaureate (IB) programmes offered. It is designed as a five-year programme for students aged 11-16. It is an equivalent of O level GCE or IGCE.

The MYP Curriculum framework comprises eight subject groups, providing a broad and balanced education for early adolescents.
The MYP requires at least 50 hours of teaching time for each subject group, in each year of the programme. In the final two years of the programme, carefully-defined subject group flexibility allows students to meet local requirements and personal learning goals.

It offers a wider range of subjects and a blend of sciences and humanities, which makes for a more rounded education and better options at university level instead of opting for specialized subjects at O level.

MYP FAQs

Like the mainstream middle school leading onto IGCSE, the MYP grade 6-8 students study 8 core subjects:

  • English (English Language and Literature)
  • Math
  • Science (Integrated Science)
  • Social studies (Individuals and Societies)
  • Art (Visual and Performing Art)
  • Design (not offered in regular school)
  • Urdu
  • Islamiyat

https://www.ibo.org/programmes/middle-years-programme/what-is-the-myp/how-the-myp-works/

Just like O and A level, students sit for their final on-screen examination in their final year i.e. year 10 (MYP 5) and similarly they have to pay the registration fee for these external exams.

Unlike PYP, all subjects are taught through course material and textbooks. Research skills are developed and inquiry is encouraged using books and reference material. eResource and digital tools are also used to supplement teaching and learning.

IB has structured MYP to incorporate eAssessment that is an online externally moderated exam for each of the following 5 core subjects (Math, English, Science, Integrated Humanities (Social studies) and Interdisciplinary. This gives them the rigour of the standardized exam experience. They receive a certificate that is accredited by the IBCC.

About Programme Implementation at Newlands:

The current batch of class 6 being promoted to class 7 (MYP 2) was the cohort that has completed 5 years of schooling with the PYP. In class 6, PBL project based learning was introduced in continuation of an inquiry led approach.

In the MYP, Learners study the subjects that are taught in Pre O level (middle school), however, the teaching and learning approach is more inquiry-driven and focused on conceptual understanding as opposed to textbook-bound, exam-centered approach.

Following is the comparison of MYP, GCE O level and iGCSE for Science, Math and English:

In science, all three programmes cover the traditional subjects: biology, chemistry and physics, and practical work is assessed in all three.

In mathematics, the three programmes each cover broadly similar subject/topic areas.

In English, all three programmes make reference to the study of texts from a variety of cultures, and all three cover the same content skills across a range of multi-modal texts, (reading, writing, speaking and listening) MYP also has Viewing and Presenting skills as an essential component of language learning. This component aids in the development of strong  communication skills – an essential 21 century skill.

A challenging framework that encourages students to make practical connections between their studies and the real world, the MYP is inclusive by design; students of all interests and academic abilities can benefit from their participation.

PYP is not a requirement for doing MYP.  MYP can be offered as an independent programme, though the PYP learners are better equipped with an inquiry approach and skills for learning (ATLs): Research Skills, Communication Skills, Self-Management Skills, Social Skills, Thinking Skills that are common across all three IB programmes.

Content across IB MYP, GCSE and IGCSE specifications were broadly similar. The MYP covers all the main areas of the other two programmes and in some cases included additional areas of study.

MYP covers eight subject groups (student’s mother tongue, a second language, sciences, mathematics, humanities, arts, physical education and technology). In the fifth (final) year, all MYP students are required to undertake a personal project, in addition to their standard curriculum work. This is regarded as very important, and is a product of the student’s own initiative and creativity
In iGCSE, learners may study the subjects covered by the IB MYP, but not all are compulsory. On average, students take exams in 5 to 10 subjects.

About faculty and teacher training

Like the PYP, all MYP teachers, including school leadership will receive training by IBO certified trainers either face-to-face or online workshops. Besides generic training for programme implementation, MYP teachers are required to complete subject specific training as well and will be enrolled in the coming months. The MYP leadership is already IB trained and is currently completing online training for Implementing the MYP.

About equivalence and College acceptance

Yes, they can opt for A level and opt for science or arts subjects, depending on the subjects they have studied in the MYP which is a more vast subject range compared to O level.

Students can opt for IB DP after O levels. Our Gulberg DP campus has passed out two batches of students who had done their O level and then opted for DP. Some of these students from Gulberg campus and TNS graduates are now enrolled in local universities. (BNU, LUMS, IBA, Habib).

The MYP is recognized by IBCC and is equivalent to SSC of Pakistan. The equivalence of grades of MYP and DP program can be done by using the IBCC conversion formula into Pakistani marks.

MYP/DP Grades= Pakistani Marks

7=90

6=80

5=70

4=60

3=50

2= zero

1=zero

The MYP has been successfully implemented by 8 schools across Pakistan.

In BSS, MYP and DP have been offered at TNS and their fifth cohort will graduate this year (2020). Similarly, DP programmes have been running in Karachi, Islamabad and Lahore. So far 3 cohorts have passed out. Many of these students are now studying at top universities in Pakistan and abroad.

Top Business Schools (LUMS, IBA, NUST) Art Schools (NCA, Indus Valley, Habib University), Engineering (NUST, FAST) Medical Colleges (Agha Khan) accept equivalence for IB students with equivalence. Most like LUMS and IBA have students enrolled who have completed their IB DP.

IBO Response to Covid

IBO was quick and proactive in setting up systems to facilitate MYP and DP graduates and is in contact with universities and colleges to ensure that learners are not disadvantaged. Also, assessment is not dependent on just the end of course exam but there is evidence of learning in the form of portfolio and eAssessment that is more manageable via eLearning. The grades shared by schools were a more fair measure of learning and performance.

Helpful websites:

https://www.ibo.org/programmes/middle-years-programme/what-is-the-myp/key-facts-about-the-myp/

https://www.ibo.org/university-admission/

What is MYP: VIDEO: https://vimeo.com/140759548

https://www.ibo.org/globalassets/publications/ib-research/ibmyp-finalnferreport-plussupplementaryanalyses.pdf

If you have any question regarding MYP please write down below.