Sir, – I was delighted to read about Stephanie Bruce-Smith’s experiences as an International Baccalaureate (IB) student. In Dublin there is also a primary school following the IB curriculum.
We have sixth-class students who are just about to embark on their final exhibition project which takes them into their first research project – a great preparation for the studies ahead culminating with their diploma. They have followed an inquiry based curriculum since the age of three and have learned to question and think critically about the units of inquiry presented to them.
The IB strives to develop life-long learners and with that in mind our curriculum teaches students how to become a learner and the attributes of a good learner rather than telling a student what to learn. A week in the life of a sixth-class student at our school would surely be of interest to many companies wishing to employ critical thinking employees of the future. – Yours, etc,