The International Baccalaureate Organization (IB) and The King Faisal Foundation (KFF) have today announced a partnership project that will bring holistic IB educational programmes to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia – through the “Developing Learners, Leaders and Teachers for the Future of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia” project.
Reinforcing both organizations’ shared beliefs that education for young people provides the foundation for greater understanding, awareness and knowledge throughout later life, the project aims to have a wider impact in Saudi Arabia and the Arabic-speaking world at a later date.
The project will focus on the educational development of young people and adults by increasing access to the IB’s Primary Years, Middle Years and Diploma Programmes – all of which are to be delivered in Arabic. This includes increasing the number of authorized IB World Schools in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, in addition to translation of programme delivery materials.
It will also seek to augment the professional development of educational professionals within the state system in Saudi Arabia. This will include establishing IB Certificates in Teaching and Learning, and in Leadership Practice, at higher educational institutions locally.
Prince Bandar bin Saud bin Khalid, Secretary General, The King Faisal Foundation, continues: “Our partnership with the International Baccalaureate has existed since 2008 and this new phase is a five-year plan that will lay strong foundations for future leaders, innovators, and professionals who will be able to use their knowledge to enhance the quality of education and benefit the Kingdom’s economy. Through our collaboration with the IB, who provide the educational expertise, quality and pedagogical leadership, this initiative aims to develop up to 40 primary and secondary schools in the Kingdom to become centres of excellence as IB World Schools including the provision of IB Diploma Programme subjects in Arabic. Furthermore, we aim for over 1500 teachers to be trained through an innovative professional development program and hundreds of practicing teachers and school leaders will acquire IB teaching and leadership certificates each year.” Prince Bandar bin Saud bin Khalid, Secretary General, concludes, “In line with The King Faisal Foundation mission, and with an investment of more than SAR16,500,000 from the Foundation, this initiative aims to gradually transform education in Saudi Arabia and the Arabic-speaking world to be amongst the best in class”.
Dr. Siva Kumari, Director General, International Baccalaureate, says: “The IB is already recognized for its rigorous standards and holistic educational offer in Saudi Arabia and this partnership with the King Faisal Foundation – one of the world’s largest philanthropic organizations – is a significant commitment that will allow many more Arabic-speaking students access to the IB. The IB looks forward to truly internationalizing its community as it is our mission to create intercultural understanding. Our organizations are aligned in the vision to create a better world through education, and we are confident that the benefits will be felt in the Kingdom and beyond.”