Day 1 Are IB Students misfits in India university system

Are IB Students misfits in India?

17 March 2011, Melbourne, Australia

A Study

Presented by Dr. Indu Shahani and Anish Tripathi

Tuesday, 12 April 2011

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Structure of presentation

▪ Objective & Hypothesis

▪ Methodology

▪ Findings

▪ Observations & Conclusions


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Objective & Hypothesis

Objective of the study:

To explore how well IBDP students are adjusting within the Indian university system, and what kind of changes would make the entire system integrate better.

Hypothesis of the study:

“IBDP students are misfits in the Indian University system, but things are slowly changing for the better!”


Quantitative:

▪ Online survey

▪ Independent external vendor

▪ IBDP student coverage

▪ Critical mass of students

▪ Viral approach for outreach

▪ Secondary research and data analysis

Qualitative:

▪ Focused Group Discussions

– Students (26 nos.)

– Parents (10 nos.)

– School Coordinators (5 nos.)

▪ One-on-one interviews

– School Heads (3 nos.)

– College Heads (4 nos.)

Methodology


Online survey form


Students FGD in Mumbai – 19 Jan 2011


Parents FGD in Mumbai – 28 Jan 2011


School Coordinators FGD in Mumbai – 3 Feb 2011


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Findings

Extremely Satisfied! – 69%

Structure for presentation of findings:

▪ Demographics of respondents

▪ Quantitative response to each question

▪ Qualitative supplementation and additional insights for each question


Demographics

S No. Attribute Number

1 No. of respondents 51

2 Response rate (%) 41.8

3 Avg. age of respondents (yrs) 19.1

4 Year of passing IBDP (45%) 2010

5 No. of Schools represented (nos.) 15

6 No. of Colleges represented (nos.) 12

7 Representation from HR College (%) 72.5

8 Resident Indians (%) 92.2


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How satisfied are you with having chosen IBDP over other national higher secondary (Class 12) options?1a

37

Response %Extremely Satisfied 69.2

Satisfied 20.5

Neither Satisfied nor Dissatisfied 2.6

Dissatisfied 0

Extremely Dissatisfied 7.7


Satisfied! – 21%


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How satisfied are you with having chosen IBDP over other national higher secondary (Class 12) options?1a

37

Response %Extremely Satisfied 69.2

Satisfied 20.5

Neither Satisfied nor Dissatisfied 2.6

Dissatisfied 0

Extremely Dissatisfied 7.7


Satisfied! – 21%

89.7%


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On a scale of 1 to 10, rate your satisfaction with the IBDP programme in your school1b

0

5

10

15

20

25

30

13

2326

15

10

553

00

Rating

Responses%

Average Rating 7.6


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On a scale of 1 to 10, rate your satisfaction with the IBDP programme in your school1b

0

5

10

15

20

25

30

13

2326

15

10

553

00

Rating

Responses% 62%

Average Rating 7.6


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Satisfaction with the IBDP programme in your school1a & b

InsightsSupplementation

▪ Overwhelming consensus, students and parents very satisfied with IBDP

▪ Aspects appreciated include:– Case-study based approach– Extended Essay– CAS– Multiple subject options– Broad-based and continuous

assessment criteria

▪ Child develops confidence and maturity (transformational change)

▪ Some students did find it too rigorous, tiring and aggressive

▪ Choice to go for IB is usually that of the parent

▪ Influencers for choice of IB:– Avoid Junior College– Avoid rigidity of Indian boards– Prepare child to study abroad– Not sitting for competitive exams

▪ CBSE has launched “International curriculum” – similar to IB

▪ Not equipped or counseled on how to select between so many options

▪ Counseled – Sleep, Study and Social life – you will loose one


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What programme (Indian / Western) does IBDP prepare you well for?2

Response %Only the International College System 0

Both the Indian and International University System

53.8

Only the Indian College System 46.2

Neither the Indian nor the International University System

0Only Western Universities – 54%

Western and Indian Universities – 46%


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▪ Not enough “Indian-ness” in the course content

▪ Focus of the School Counselor is on placements in Universities abroad rather than in India

▪ “IB is a respected guest in India, not yet a member of the family”

▪ “As a structured framework, IB is much better, but in depth of course content, relevance and rigour, Indian boards are better”

▪ Could not find one example of child having successfully sat for the IIT entrance exams from an IB school

2 What programme (Indian / Western) does IBDP prepare you well for?


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How well-prepared were you for the Indian College System, upon completion of the IBDP?3

Response %Extremely ill-prepared 7.7

Ill-prepared 20.5

Neutral 46.2

Well-prepared 23.1

Extremely well-prepared 2.6

Neutral – 46% Ill-prepared – 21%

Well-prepared – 23%


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How well-prepared were you for the Indian College System, upon completion of the IBDP?3


Ill-prepared 20.5

Neutral 46.2

Well-prepared 23.1

Extremely well-prepared 2.6

Neutral – 46% Ill-prepared – 21%

Well-prepared – 23%

74.4%


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▪ “Ill-prepared” more implies a lack of awareness of what studying in an Indian College entails

▪ IB students come with a sense of “being different” and hence initially find it more difficult to integrate

▪ Slight complacency leads to difficulty in catching up with subjects that they have not studied (like A/c’s)

▪ Difference between grades-based IB and percent-based Indian system takes time to adjust with

▪ To integrate better, conforming with the Indian results declaration cycle would help

▪ In time, IB students adjust and do as well

▪ Counseling on and awareness about what to expect in Indian colleges would help

3 How well-prepared were you for the Indian College System, upon completion of the IBDP?


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How well-prepared is the Indian College System for integrating students from the IB system of education?4


Ill-prepared 46.2

Neutral 28.2

Well-prepared 7.7

Extremely well-prepared 0

Neu

tral

– 2

8%

Ill-prepared – 46% Extremely

Ill-prepared – 18%


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▪ Indian system is different!

▪ System caters to large masses of students from different:

▪ Socio-economic backgrounds▪ Linguistic preferences▪ Learning capabilities

▪ Rote-learning with an inordinate focus on “final exams”

▪ Large class sizes (over 90 students) and rigidly set systems make academic atmosphere challenging and very different from what IB students are used to

▪ Low systemic expectations – but opportunity to excel based on self initiative

▪ Students who take the initiative, perform exceeding well, irrespective of the board they come from

4 How well-prepared is the Indian College System for integrating students from the IB system of education?


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Who needs to change to become more suitable for the demands of global education…..?5a

Response %Only the IB Programme 5.1

Only the Indian University System 66.7

Both IB and the Indian University System 25.6

Neither IB nor the Indian University System

2.6

Indian Colleges only – 67%

Both – 26%


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…..what is the degree of change that is required?5b

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

00

63

37 36

49

15

0

Responses%

No change at all Moderate fine-tuning Significant change Drastic overhaul

International Baccalaureate

Indian Universities


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…..what is the degree of change that is required?5b

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

00

63

37 36

49

15

0

Responses%

No change at all Moderate fine-tuning Significant change Drastic overhaul

International Baccalaureate

Indian Universities 63%


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Change required….5a & b


▪ Clearest message is that the greater onus for “change” rests with the Indian College system

▪ Strongest message is that IB needs to continually fine-tune itself to integrate better with the Indian system

▪ Given its size, objectives, and socio-economic constraints, pace of change in the Indian system is going to be slow

▪ Islands of excellence are different and will continue to grow fast, as more and more international Universities enter the Indian market

▪ Dynamic colleges have shown that even while operating under various systemic constraints, quite a lot is possible


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Indian School / Higher Education system…..6

Response %Strongly disagree 2.6

Disagree 12.8

Neither agree nor disagree 25.6

Agree 30.8

Strongly agree 28.2

There is a perception about Indian Education that the schooling system delivers well at the end, but the higher education system (except for the few islands of excellence) is inadequate and ill-prepared to meet with the requirements of today’s global children. Do you agree?

Strongly agree – 28%

Agree – 30%

Neutral – 26%


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▪ Indian school system, despite its strict regimentation, has been delivering very well for decades

▪ “When compared with the best students from leading Indian schools, IB students are no different”

▪ Anecdotal evidence suggests that the top schools within the Indian boards deliver as well as the best of IB schools (additionally given that there is a consonance of socio-economic class that they service)

▪ It would seem that the move from a regimented to an open-system (like IB and the western universities) is an efficient one-way street

Indian School / Higher Education system…..6


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A comparison analysis of IB students and Non-IB students in the Indian Higher Education system

60.0000

70.0000

80.0000

90.0000

12th Std 1st Yr 2nd Yr 3rd Yr

Students Performance

Perc

ent M

arks

IB Non-IB Class Leading Non-IB

Data analysis of over 500 students from HR College!

IB students’ struggle!


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IB students are outstanding contributors

Attributes evaluated:

1. Engaged2. Value Adding

3. Take Initiative4. Courteous & Respectful

5. Leaders6. Team Workers

7. Positive Influencers8. Self Motivated

9. Clear Thinking

Visibility of IB students:

▪ Population 2%

▪ Rated (>2 attributes) 6%(10/175)

▪ Exceptionals (all 9) 10%(7/73)

▪ Rank Holders 15%(6/40)

Exercise performed with 6 teachers – Total of 320 students identified!


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Two IBDP students – perspective changes

“I came from a small class size & personalized attention – here I’m lost in this sea, and am stagnating!”

“I am grateful that my college experience is

teaching me to be tolerant &

accommodative, and that my IB

learning doesn’t stop in school!”

1st Yr Student 2nd Yr Student


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School Coordinator of a leading Indian IB School…

“We need to increase interaction between IB and

the Indian Colleges (orientation sessions, etc.) so

that we understand and appreciate each other better!”


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Head of leading Indian School offering both IB and Non-IB boards…

“IB, the Indian boards, and the Indian College system need to acknowledge and

accept each other, as all are here to stay!”


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Observations & Conclusions

▪ Its only a perception that IB students are misfits, as given adjustment time, they perform as well as any other Indian student

▪ Increased interaction required across all levels:– Training– College festivals– Discussion forums / “Placement talks”

▪ More focus on “Indian” course content required in IB

▪ Indian universities are changing, but slowly

▪ IB is presently a competitive advantage to go to a western university, neutral to remain within the Indian college system, and a distinct disadvantage, to do well in India’s hyper-competitive entrance examinations

How can IB schools better prepare students for “Life after IB”?How can IB become a “member of the family”?

IB Mission (extract): …..“(students) who understand that other people, with their differences, can also be right.”


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Acknowledgements

▪ Dr. Indu Shahani

▪ Anish Tripathi

▪ Aditya Malkani

▪ Govind Shorewalla

▪ Karan Shah

▪ Mamta Tibrewalla

This study was a team effort over the past three months from the following people:


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THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME

“Change is either the easiest thing in the world, or impossible”

-Ashtawakra Gita

Questions?


Documents

Day 1 Are IB Students misfits in India university system