IB Primary Years Programme: Frequently Asked Questions

Your child is about to enter the Primary Years Programme (PYP) with the International Baccalaureate (IB) Organization (IBO), the rigorous curriculum that develops the whole child and prepares them for a successful career.

With this big step in your child’s life, you probably have some questions about what this programme entails. We sat down with our IB PYP coordinator, Mr. Michael Mansell, who answered the programme’s FAQs. 

What is the Primary Years Programme?

The PYP is a curriculum framework for young learners aged 3–12 designed by the IBO. Founded on a philosophy that recognizes a child’s natural curiosity, creativity and ability to reflect, the PYP generates a stimulating, challenging learning environment to nurture those assets and foster a lifelong love of learning in every child. The PYP is transdisciplinary, meaning students learn across subject areas while investigating big ideas.

Does the Primary Years Programme have a specific set of standards?

In the PYP, students learn about significant concepts through units of inquiry. The six transdisciplinary themes that guide units of inquiry and compose a year of study are:

1. Who we are
2. Where we are in place and time
3. How we express ourselves
4. How the world works
5. How we organize ourselves
6. Sharing the planet

Units of inquiry interweave subject areas such as Mathematics, Language Arts, Science and Social Studies. Throughout the year specialists subjects such as Music, Art, Drama and PE are also integrated. This approach encourages our students to make their own connections between what they learn in core subject areas and how it relates to the world around them.

At IST, we ensure our academic curriculum aligns with well-known national standards from around the world. The five essential elements listed below guide our planning, teaching and assessment practices:

1. The knowledge content is organized under the transdisciplinary themes.
2. The approaches to learning (ATLs) skills aim to help students become independent, well-functioning, self-motivated learners
3. The learner profile attributes aim to develop a lifelong love of learning and nurture a child’s curiosity and confidence
4. The action component emphasizes the need to connect the student with their potential and responsibility for using what was learned
5. The rigorous guidelines for classroom practices to match the educational philosophy and values of the IB are communicated through professional development and a school’s internal reflection process

What are the advantages of being in the Primary Years Programme?

The PYP offers students and families the following benefits:

• It is a recognized programme throughout the world
• It guarantees transferability and continuity of learning
• It offers a concept-based, inquiry-driven curriculum which values student agency thus fostering the growth of self-motivated life long learners
• It is reinforced by continual and extensive research into pedagogy and curriculum by the International Baccalaureate Organization and IB teachers throughout the world

The PYP learning style is focused on understanding rather than memorizing. Children are taught how to learn and see the relevance of their studies. This makes learning more meaningful and more interesting. This paves the way for creativity, choice and problem-solving, which helps build independence and confidence while encouraging students to think critically. PYP students also learn to understand other people’s views and are internationally-minded and open-minded.

Primary Years Programme Curriculum

Child-centered approach

IB PYP focuses on an inquiry-based approach to learning that allows students to engage in the process of knowledge gathering. All learning experiences in PYP are customized to fit an environment that keeps students at the center of the process while encouraging them to be involved through active participation. Teachers become observers and facilitators in this learning process.   

Collaborative learning

IB PYP is also focused on giving tasks, projects and assignments to students that allows them to work in groups, to collaborate as well as share information. All learning happens in an interactive and fun manner and students learn the value of teamwork and collaboration.

Transdisciplinary approach

With this, students are encouraged to find answers to crucial questions such as, “Who am I? Where do I belong? What is the importance of the environment which is around me?” This process creates a phase that moves from one subject to another to teach the students the importance of each topic.

The programme itself is well structured and executed, which allows students to investigate and explore every child’s inquiries and interests. This is something that does not usually happen with traditional curricula.

Do IB teachers receive special training?

All teachers at IST receive PYP introductory training in order to gain an initial understanding of the program. The school hosts a variety of workshops every year led by both teacher leaders and outside consultants. Our teachers regularly travel internationally to attend professional training.

Are IB programmes considered "gifted" programmes?

The PYP is implemented schoolwide and adapted by teachers to meet the learning needs of all students. All our teachers participate in collaborative planning and reflection to make their teaching practices consistent and to foster a holistic approach to education. 

If IST teaches the IB, does this mean the school will not teach local or national standards?

The IB is committed to ensuring that students in IB programmes meet and exceed local or national standards. Through a systematic curriculum review process, we are constantly ensuring that the curriculum we offer meets recognized national standards from around the world.  

The PYP and MYP are frameworks where the IST curriculum is organized. We use standards from around the world.

Have studies been done on the impact of the PYP? If so, what have they found?

The IB places great value on external validation of its programmes, curricula and professional development. A recent Global International Schools’ Assessment study found that PYP students outperformed non-IB students in mathematics, reading and writing. Additional studies on programme impact, quality assurance, programme development and assessment research are available here.

Are there external assessments in the PYP like in the Diploma Programme?

In the Elementary grades, we utilize Measure of Academic Progress (MAP) to measure students' academic progress. MAP also allows us to compare our students' achievements to like schools in our region and internationally.

Are there meetings and/or events where parents can learn more about the Primary Years Programme at the International School of Tanganyika? 

Parent workshops are offered throughout the year to assist parents in a better understanding of how the PYP curriculum is delivered at IST. 

Our Elementary principal, vice-principal and PYP coordinator are also available to answer any questions as needed.

Now that you know the answers to the PYP’s FAQs, we invite you to take a look at our new curriculum page.