The history of the IB
The International Baccalaureate Organizaition (IBO) was founded in 1968 with the purpose to develop high-quality and highly respected educational programmes for students worldwide. To this end, the organization works closely with several universities and governments around the world, and its staff continuously works on increasing the number of countries where the IB Diploma is accepted.
Since the start of the IB Diploma Programme (DP) in 1968, the organization has developed several other programmes to help students prepare for the DP.
The idea to develop a pre-DP educational programme was first suggested at the International Schools Association Conference in 1980. As a result, the Middle Years Programme (MYP) was introduced in 1994, which provides a course for students aged 11-16 at a similarly high level worldwide.
In the meantime, at another conference in 1990, discussions started about a programme for students aged 3-12, which led to the introduction of the Primary Years Programme (PYP) in 1997.
In 2012, as an alternative to the Diploma Programme, the Career-related Programme (CP) was introduced, which combines the rigorous DP courses with career related studies.
Today, the International Baccalaureate Organization offers courses in more than 4000 schools to over one million students worldwide.