Kampala International School (formerly Kabira International School) has been authorised to offer the International Baccalaureate Diploma. Daily Monitor, asked Ms Harriet Spry, the school's Head of Admissions & Administration on the significance of this achievement.

What is the International Baccalaureate Diploma?

The International Baccalaureate Diploma is a challenging two-year programme of international education for students aged 16 to 19. The Diploma is not an end in itself.

It is a pre-university qualification and in Uganda it is equivalent to A-Levels. The difference between the IB Diploma and A-levels is that because the IB Diploma is standardised across the whole world, it is easier to gain entry into universities across the world while if you have a Uganda Advanced Certificate of Education, it would be quite difficult to join some universities like Stanford or Yale and Sobborne.

The mode of teaching is also different as it encourages students to ask challenging questions, learn how to learn and develop a strong sense of their own identity and culture as well as develop the ability to communicate with and understand other cultures.

Are there any curriculum differences between the UACE and the IB Diploma?

Yes, there is a notable difference between the two. The IB curriculum contains six subject groups together with a core made up of three separate parts - theory of knowledge, extended essay and Creativity. These are compulsory and form the foundation of the philosophy of the Diploma Programme.

Forinstance, the theory of knowledge is an interdisciplinary course designed to provide coherence by exploring the nature of knowledge across various disciplines as well as an appreciation of other cultures.

How are the students assessed?

Assessment takes place at two levels namely: internally and externally. Internally, assessment is done by teachers who mark individual pieces of work done by students during the course of the study. Externally, students are given tasks which are marked by external examiners. External assessments, because of their high objectivity form one of the core competencies of this course.

Who is eligible for it?

Students who have completed their O-levels with a minimum of 5Cs or students who have passed their GCSE with a minimum of 5Cs are eligible for this course.

Are there any other advantages offered by the IB Diploma?

Yes, other than being globally recognised, the IB Diploma by virtue of its curriculum exposes students especially those from Uganda, to international education standards. It should be noted that as the worlds of business, communications, technology and law become more international in scope, the education that prepares a young person to enter these fields must also be more international in its scope and at KISU, we are prepared to take on that challenge.