ISTANBUL

The Aljazari International Schools for Science and Technology in Istanbul, one of the few bilingual education institutions in Türkiye, recently launched its IB-International Baccalaureate program.

According to an announcement by Aljazari, which has two campuses in Istanbul, it is on the path to becoming an "IB school," providing an enriched curriculum-based education to Turkish and foreign students to cultivate individuals who can explore, question, respect different cultures, and think critically.

The IB program, adopted by schools around the world, has a Primary Years Programme (PYP) which covers the early childhood and primary school periods, as well as a Diploma Program (DP) at the high-school level.

With IB's internationally standardized curriculum, studies have shown that the PYP and DP often have added academic and other benefits for students, while teachers benefit from comprehensive professional development programs.

The Jazari Learning Program (JLP), a unique program developed by the school, combines with the IB program to further improve education quality.

JLP, which was developed after two years of research and development by experts from various disciplines, positions teachers as guides in students' personal development, emphasizing practical knowledge application.

It involves closely monitoring the neurological, biological, and psychosocial development of students in the early childhood stage. Expert teachers in Turkish, English, and Arabic guide students in speech-focused learning from kindergarten onward.

The school's Personal Development Portfolio (PDP) department, responsible for monitoring children's psychosocial development, creates a comprehensive file on students' academic, talent, psychological, and sociological development.

Aljazari International Schools for Science and Technology have a diverse cultural and linguistic environment with students from over 40 different nations, strengthening their mission of nurturing global citizens with the implementation of the IB PYP system.

Also, their kindergarten classrooms are themed around nature, language, science, and character education, contributing to students' cognitive development.

At the elementary-school level, students engage in a dual teacher/dual language education system in IB-themed classrooms, supported by both the JLP and IB programs and encouraging active participation in lessons. Teachers, who are at the center of education quality, can enrich their professional growth by engaging in the institution's educational programs and official IB training.

The school has a track record of success with teams that reached the finals of TEKNOFEST 2023, Türkiye's premier technology and aerospace event. Additionally, it has garnered recognition in various fields at two Model UN conferences in Istanbul, which aim to empower international students to tackle global issues at simulations of the United Nations.

Aljazari International Schools for Science and Technology have evolved into a hub for the implementation of the IB-enriched JLP as well as the curricula from Australia and Türkiye.