Concordia College is no longer offering the International Baccalaureate Diploma program

A fourth Adelaide private school has canned the international education diploma, but an SA representative has defended the program.

A fourth Adelaide private school has dropped the International Baccalaureate Diploma, as the organisation behind the globally-recognised qualification defends the program.

Concordia College has confirmed that it is no longer offering the diploma – an alternative to the SACE – joining Walford, Seymour College and Woodcroft College.

Concordia said it would continue to run the International Baccalaureate primary and middle year programs, but would not explain why it axed the senior high school diploma.

South Australian International Baccalaureate Diploma Network chairwoman Gabriele Walldorf-Davis defended the program, saying schools’ decisions to stop offering it were not related to its quality.

“The curriculum is constantly updated and IB subjects undergo a complete review at regular intervals to ensure that the diploma program subjects are relevant and incorporate the latest research and best practices,” she said.

Concordia College in Highgate. Picture: Tricia Watkinson

“IB students and their families in Australia and around the world recognise that the (diploma) is an excellent pathway to tertiary education that develops students’ confidence, a love of learning and a sense of purpose that will last a lifetime.

“It enables our students to direct their own learning pathway and develop future-ready skills to thrive and make a difference in an ever-changing world.”

Ms Walldorf-Davis pointed to Adelaide University, which gives university credits for IB high school courses.

“We now recognise equivalence between more than 20 IB subjects and many of our first-year courses,” the uni’s website says.

“In a first for South Australia, this scheme recognises the (diploma’s) rigorous academic assessment, extended learning opportunities, and learning and teaching format.

“It also acknowledges (diploma) graduates’ international perspective, academic preparedness, critical thinking and complex problem-solving skills.”

The uni’s deputy vice-chancellor (academic) Professor Jennie Shaw said the scheme was introduced this year to better recognise high-performing students.

“The diploma is judged to a high standard and requires minimum grade achievements … the university wanted an agreed upon way to approach eligibility for credit and exemptions,” she said.

“We assessed the (diploma) syllabus and developed a system that outlines the courses we acknowledge and the minimum grades needed to apply for credit or exemptions.”

Flinders University and UniSA confirmed that they do not offer a similar scheme.

The other private schools that have axed he diploma have cited various reasons including a lack of student interest, a preference toward more interest-based learning and the fail rate.

The global head has since spoken out, refuting the schools’ reasoning saying the program is flexible and allows students to choose their career pathway and subject interest.

“We work closely with the teachers and offer options to schools to review their IB

offerings and offer new subjects to align with strong student interest,” the statement said.

“We update the IB curriculum and IB subjects at regular intervals to ensure that the diploma

program subjects are relevant and incorporate the latest best practices and research.

“We also periodically engage universities around the world to align tertiary entry

requirements, subject expertise as well as industry needs so that students have employable

skills.”

Five private schools – Mercedes, Pembroke, Prince Alfred College, St Peter’s Girls’ and St Peter’s College plan to keep offering the diploma, as well as public high schools Norwood International, Aberfoyle Park, Glenunga International, Roma Mitchell and Unley.