Will the A levels mean more "international" high schools here ?

Crumpy



Joined: 05/06/2010
Posts: 419

Message Posted:
20/08/2011 12:39

In a move probably to dissuade TC parents from sending their children to private schools in the south, Ankara decided in June that Turkish Universities will start accepting Turkish Cypriot and Turkish students studying here in the north on the basis of their A level results. Up until now Turkish universities have only accepted graduates on the basis of the score they achieve in the Turkish University Entrance Exam. Why will this dissuade many parents from sending their children and money to the south? Because Turkish Universities will only accept students according to their A level results if and only if they have attended KKTC schools … and NOT one of the many schools in the south offering A levels.



For those able to understand Turkish here is a link :

http://www.haberkibris.com/n.php?n=bd767a2a-2011_06_07



For the record, I didn't post this earlier because I was out of the country and unaware of such developments.

Crumpy



Joined: 05/06/2010
Posts: 419

Message Posted:
20/08/2011 12:41

The decision to allow "A level graduates" to enter Turkish universities could have far-reaching ramifications, one of which could be very positive for the education of British/expat children studying IGCSEs and A levels in the north.

Up until now, although many schools in the north have offered IGCSEs and A levels, for many of them that was only half-hearted, because the schools realised that preparation for the ÖSS was the primary concern for most of their students ... and after teaching in Turkey for many years I can tell you that you the syllabi and examination-style for A level and ÖSS are quite different. However, from now on Girne Amerikan Koleji, Near East Koleji, Levent Koleji, the state-run Türk Maarif Koleji, Eastern Mediterranean Doğa Koleji, the English School of Kyrenia and no doubt TED Koleji in future will offer only A levels (or IB). Without the distraction of ÖSS, both students and teachers at these schools will be more focused on the UK-based examinations.

Crumpy



Joined: 05/06/2010
Posts: 419

Message Posted:
20/08/2011 12:42

With the option of a university education in Turkey or in the UK, many TC parents have already opted to enroll their children in north-side schools. And many of these students are high-calibre, the children of parents that cared about their children's education enough to send them to the south-side schools. So, further to the schools specialising in A levels, the return of these TC students to the north will have a further positive impact on the schools.

Crumpy



Joined: 05/06/2010
Posts: 419

Message Posted:
20/08/2011 12:42

All the schools mentioned above, with the exception of the state-run Türk Maarif Koleji, would welcome having expat children in their classrooms … and the language of instruction for over 80% of the timetable would be English – and as for the time when the Turkish and TC students are receiving first-language Turkish and Turkish/Cypriot history lessons, the schools would provide more basic Turkish lessons for any expat children. It is hardly surprising then that with these developments, at least one of the schools mentioned above wants in future to include "International" in its name.

Crumpy



Joined: 05/06/2010
Posts: 419

Message Posted:
20/08/2011 12:43

There are other considerations to be made however: For example one TC parent who has a daughter about to enter year 9 in a south-side school, told me she had reservations about sending her daughter to a north-side school, because being with mostly Greek children and teachers was forcing her daughter to speak English. However, that wouldn't be an issue for expat children.

In any case, I felt the KKTC-based expat parents with children of secondary-school-age should be informed of these developments.

Enjoy the rest of the weekend …

Crumpy



Joined: 05/06/2010
Posts: 419

Message Posted:
20/08/2011 12:58

Please note that I didn't include the British Academy in the list, because it has always been their intention to only offer IGCSEs and A levels.

bonnie1707


Joined: 06/06/2010
Posts: 95

Message Posted:
20/08/2011 13:42

Crumpy ... Do you have a vested interest in one of the schools on the list given in message 2.

Crumpy



Joined: 05/06/2010
Posts: 419

Message Posted:
20/08/2011 13:46

Bonnie, I will be teaching at one of them, so yes.

bonnie1707


Joined: 06/06/2010
Posts: 95

Message Posted:
20/08/2011 13:57

Crumpy ... All the schools listed in message 2 are private, and there is already a private international school in the TRNC, namely the British Academy.

Crumpy



Joined: 05/06/2010
Posts: 419

Message Posted:
20/08/2011 14:03

"All the schools listed in message 2 are private, and there is already a private international school in the TRNC, namely the British Academy." - There is indeed, but I thought this development might be of particular interest to those expat families living in or around Lefkoşa and Mağusa.

bonnie1707


Joined: 06/06/2010
Posts: 95

Message Posted:
20/08/2011 14:19

Crumpy ... wasn't it always the intention of ESK to do international exams (ie IGCSE, A levels, IB) ?

Crumpy



Joined: 05/06/2010
Posts: 419

Message Posted:
20/08/2011 14:31

"Wasn't it always the intention of ESK to do international exams (ie. IGCSE, A levels, IB) ?"

I'm not certain Bonnie, but I don't think it was their intention to do just "IGCSE, A levels and IB" - you see the vast majority of ESK student are Turkish Cypriots ... and it's unlikely that they are all planning to study in the UK. Therefore ESK would have to have had made some arrangements for ÖSS-preparation lessons for at least some of the students

Breamli


Joined: 02/01/2011
Posts: 28

Message Posted:
20/08/2011 15:08

Re ; msg 10

"Those expat families living in or around Lefkoşa" : Probably count them on the fingers of one hand !

me-style


Joined: 03/08/2010
Posts: 150

Message Posted:
20/08/2011 15:37

We have children in ESK, and really if they for the bristish academy adds an international or not, will not make a difference.



As a foregin person living in KKTC (I do not need the title of expat as none of them are, normally just a title to promote superior to the locals)



There is a talk about high calibre students (what the hell is that? all children have a same fair chances), we have lived many years in Turkey and I also see the problems in the Turkish educational system, and this is also why the Turkish school system became an investment possibility for smart guys with money. This is a black and shameful spot in Turkey after my opinion.



From that point on and then to send the children to the Greek side, sorry I do not think the schools are any better there, they have due to they entered into the EU had the education system structures adjusted to the EU, that is something else and does not prove to send the kids to the Greek side is better.

Crumpy



Joined: 05/06/2010
Posts: 419

Message Posted:
20/08/2011 16:48

Your right Me-Style, the phrase "high-calibre students", as used in the second line of message 3 was perhaps too strong. That said, I was thinking of the TC students that make up about 20% of the English School, a school that every year sends on average 3 or 4 students to Oxford or Cambridge.



However, many of the TC students attending south-side schools are not able to get into the prestigious English School. From my experience however, even those TCs attending schools like the Senior School and the American Academy are more hard-working than the TCs attending schools in the north. So, let's put it this way : With Turkish universities now accepting students on the basis of their A level results, many TC students that until now have been educated in the south, are likely to return north, and on the whole these students are academically above average and in general a little more hard-working than their counterparts educated in the north. Is that OK

Bradus


Joined: 25/02/2007
Posts: 2641

Message Posted:
20/08/2011 18:08

Is their degree recognised? I was told that one of the reasons for sending sons and daughters back to Universities in England or the ROC wass because TRNC degrees are not recognised in any countries other than Turkey. They do not fall in with the Bologna criteria.

Groucho



Joined: 26/04/2008
Posts: 7993

Message Posted:
20/08/2011 18:10

The degrees will be Turkish Degrees not KKTC/TRNC ones.

me-style


Joined: 03/08/2010
Posts: 150

Message Posted:
20/08/2011 21:10

There is 3 Internationally recognized universities in Turkey, thats Bosphorus university in istanbul meddle eastern in ankara and one more.



I would not send my children to any of them even the education might be ok, but as its a turkish university and as a foreign student you will have to prove yourself over and over.



I hope the KKTC universities will put their gear together and grow in international ranging as i think it would be a better choice then turkey

Crumpy



Joined: 05/06/2010
Posts: 419

Message Posted:
20/08/2011 23:04

Re ; messages 16 and 17

As Groucho wrote, "the degrees will be Turkish, not KKTC ones." That said, one of the universities, the Ankara-based Middle East Technical University has a campus here in northern Cyprus.



Re ; msg 18 - "I would not send my children to any Turkish University"

The decision "to start accepting Turkish Cypriot and Turkish students studying A levels here" (msg 1, line 2) wasn't designed for the expat (or foreign) students living here - There have always been different arrangements for "guest" students wishing to study at Boğaziçi, METU, and others ... and I guess that will continue as such.

Furthermore, you may not want to send your children to such prestigious universities, but most Turkish Cypriots, for whom this ruling was designed, would very much like to send their children there.

Crumpy



Joined: 05/06/2010
Posts: 419

Message Posted:
20/08/2011 23:26

Me-Style,



It would seem that you have not grasped the gist of the thread - the ruling taken by Ankara in June is unlikely to mean that expat (or foreign) students living here have a better chance of attending Turkish universities. However, it is very likely that it will cause the overall standard of A level teaching here in north Cyprus to improve ... allowing our children to get higher A level grades and thus attend better universities ... in the UK.



In any case, I'm getting married tomorrow, so I need a good night's sleep ...

Bradus


Joined: 25/02/2007
Posts: 2641

Message Posted:
20/08/2011 23:42

All the best Crumpy, hope you have a lovely wedding.

Pete123


Joined: 04/06/2011
Posts: 31

Message Posted:
20/08/2011 23:43

There is, of course, already a high quality International Preparatory School alive and well, functioning as part of the American College at GAU.

bonnie1707


Joined: 06/06/2010
Posts: 95

Message Posted:
20/08/2011 23:51

Msg 22 - "American College at GAU = Msg 2 - "Girne Amerikan Koleji"

bonnie1707


Joined: 06/06/2010
Posts: 95

Message Posted:
21/08/2011 00:01

Pete123, I presume you teach there?

Crumpy



Joined: 05/06/2010
Posts: 419

Message Posted:
21/08/2011 09:58

"All the best Crumpy, hope you have a lovely wedding." (msg 21)

Thanks Bradus

Groucho



Joined: 26/04/2008
Posts: 7993

Message Posted:
21/08/2011 10:49

Yes, all the best Ian, hope you both have a great day.

Crumpy



Joined: 05/06/2010
Posts: 419

Message Posted:
21/08/2011 11:29

Thanks Groucho. And I hope your Rory does as well in his exam results as he did last year.

Groucho



Joined: 26/04/2008
Posts: 7993

Message Posted:
21/08/2011 20:15

His first set are in - 2 A*'s and 2 A's... so he has 5 A's and a B with 4 more results to come.

Second set due on 25th. Fingers crossed.

Our daughter got her unconditional place at St Andrew's University and we are delighted and very proud.

Crumpy



Joined: 05/06/2010
Posts: 419

Message Posted:
21/08/2011 20:22

Indeed you must be proud of both of them

Crumpy



Joined: 05/06/2010
Posts: 419

Message Posted:
21/08/2011 20:28

"2 A*'s and 2 A's" ... wow! ... Here's hoping the Edexcel results are as good as the Cambridge ones.

bigOz


Joined: 29/09/2010
Posts: 1244

Message Posted:
23/08/2011 15:22

Sorry but after following this thread patiently, my system has at long last rebelled and urged me to add to above information;

To start with, every country has its own "international recognition" (or not) of university diploma offered by another country's Universities. These sometime depend on the area of qualification and the language used in teaching/learning. An Indian solicitor cannot practice law in UK but the Hospitals are full of import doctors from India!

There is an European requirement of documentation to show details of university achievement and details for a Uni diploma from anywhere in Europe, which is then evaluated by the establishments in EU to decide if it is good enough for a recognition. In Turkey, many of the 105 state universities issue a "DE" supplement in English to this effect. Many graduates go on to post-graduate study in Europe and USA based on this supplement which is in English and even pick up employment! (cont)

bigOz


Joined: 29/09/2010
Posts: 1244

Message Posted:
23/08/2011 15:39

In addition to the total 172 universities in Turkey there are what is called "specialist" Universities (5 types). These by type are: 2 Higher Institutes of Technology, 10 Tecknical Universities, 4 are military academies, 1 Police Academy and 1 Fine Arts Academy. Most of technical universities are reputed internationally.

What you need to realise is that there is no international law dictating Cambridge or Oxford Uni Diplomas should be recognised in Turkey or anywhere else! Get a first class degree in BA Law in Oxford, and you still cannot work in Turkey! The degrees are probably recognised by type and language first and then by reputation. Even high Orta Okul or Lise diplomas from North Cyprus were recognised by many technical colleges in UK as "sufficient" qualifications for entry. Many Turkish Uni Medical Graduates go on to do their specialist training in UK, Germany, Canada and USA as long as they speak the lingo! Continuing to work afterwards as specialists! (cont)

bigOz


Joined: 29/09/2010
Posts: 1244

Message Posted:
23/08/2011 15:50

The Private pilots licence you get in Turkey and the flying hours you built allow you to convert to a UK PPL by doing a dual check (couple of hours or three) at one of the flying schools out there! So all this talk about "international recognition" is a bit baffling to say the least. "Internationally recognised" by whom? Is there a " World International University Degree Board" or something?

Moving on to GAU and the British academy ( ), both should be shut down never to be heard again! I have had students attending both for a year or two, without learning anything, without books for most of the year, and with teachers forever leaving to be replaced by some other desperately seeking teachers! A very chaotic - and in the case of British Academy, totally undisciplined environment where youngsters learn more about fornication in toilets than education!

(cont)

bigOz


Joined: 29/09/2010
Posts: 1244

Message Posted:
23/08/2011 16:01

What is it exactly British Academy "internationally" recognised for? If so good why is the owners own daughter is attending a school on the Greek side, doing her A levels. How many of their 15-16 year 10 students, doing at least 5 Edexcel IGCSE's each passed which exams this year, and with what grades? How many of the year 10s, 11s and 12s are actually returning back this year to continue their education at this dump? (Not many I suspect!)

I really am very sad at the way some of the establishments are run in my country, and had to write the the truth. I have no fear for doing so because I can prove all my claims and more. Anyone disagrees let them take legal action against me, else shut up and sit down! So please, lets not hear anymore about such rubbish establishments - it is bad enough seeing their advert on top every time an education related thread comes up. There should be a law against these people advertising!

Crumpy



Joined: 05/06/2010
Posts: 419

Message Posted:
23/08/2011 16:07

Hi Big Oz,

Let's not start discussing the British Academy or indeed any individual schools, as that would taking the thread off topic.

With regard to "international recognition", I read with interest what you wrote. You clearly know your stuff!



As you state Big Oz, Turkish Universities have always been reluctant to recognise qualifications done in other countries. So I presume you agree this ruling, whereby they accept TC students on the basis of their A level results, is a positive one.

The reason I started the thread was to bring this matter to the attention of non-Turkish-speakers living here in the KKTC, because it is likely to have a positive effect on the A level teaching for all students here.

Groucho



Joined: 26/04/2008
Posts: 7993

Message Posted:
23/08/2011 16:30

Just to answer some of the points raised by Oz Khan,

The school did not run an A level course at the time the owner's daughter needed it so she and many others, our daughter included, had to look elsewhere for that. All schools start somewhere.

I can report that the IGCSE's that our daughter passed with flying colours at Sunny Lane were highly regarded back in the UK and got her into a very sought-after school there.

Many of her ex-classmates at SL are about to attend UK Universities.

As they only started offering A levels in 2010 it's a bit early to judge how well they are doing.

Oh, and as you raised the point, no unwanted pregnancy has ever occurred at the British Academy... so they must be getting the sex education right! You can't say the same for many UK Schools. We are not versed in what is occurring in this respect at other schools here.

bigOz


Joined: 29/09/2010
Posts: 1244

Message Posted:
23/08/2011 16:36

My apologies Crumpy - no offence intended The reason I responded as such was the persistent mention of the BA as if you made a big mistake in terms of it being such a successful "international establishment" (here goes an icon of a man rolling on the floor with laughter!).

Going back to topic, you are absolutely right in what you say, it will encourage respectable establishments to take a more serious attitude towards GCE's and hopefully provide a better environment/staff to that effect. That can only be good news for the expat community here, because there are some very good Technical Universities in Turkey who do their teaching in English, such as the OTU in Ankara, as well as most universities in Cyprus. It means the foreign students here no longer have to learn Turkish or even take exams in Turkish to be able to enter a University in say Cyprus, İstanbul or Ankara.

Anything that gives people a choice must be good and the news are definitely positive

Crumpy



Joined: 05/06/2010
Posts: 419

Message Posted:
23/08/2011 16:48

Re ; msg 37

I wasn't offended at all Big Oz

In actual fact the thread wasn't meant to be about the BA at all - ironically it concerned all the other schools (listed in msg 2), who now are no longer having to prepare their students for OSS - so the A level teaching at those schools will innevitably improve.

bigOz


Joined: 29/09/2010
Posts: 1244

Message Posted:
23/08/2011 16:50

groucho; It is Kaan not Khan I am very happy for your daughter, and I am sure she is one of the exceptions as I did mention in my post! BUT as someone who had the misfortune of teaching there (5 months before deciding to move on, like many before me), and witnessing exactly what was going on, I would love to meet you for a drink and put you in the picture. If her class mates are about to attend Universities, you must be talking about the school's performance going back few years. In any case that would be no credit to BA since they were not teaching A levels, and you need A levels to get into Unis.

IGCSEs are not even GCE 'O' level standard - they are the equivalent of what a 13 year old would learn in a state school here (and I have taught both). All 14 year olds attending state schools in Cyprus would pass the IGCSEs with flying colours if they could speak English.

Talking about giving an establishment time. Of the 4-5 A level students they had, hardly any returned

bigOz


Joined: 29/09/2010
Posts: 1244

Message Posted:
23/08/2011 16:55

groucho; Sorry I missed a point! Yes you are absolutely right! One of the most favorite subjects was "sex education", and so were the "cooking classes" and PE! Pity none of them count for much for when getting into a Uni

Groucho



Joined: 26/04/2008
Posts: 7993

Message Posted:
23/08/2011 20:32

"IGCSEs are not even GCE 'O' level standard - they are the equivalent of what a 13 year old would learn in a state school here"

This is totally wrong. IGCSE's are considered harder by UK Educational establishments. Because all marks are awarded under stress of exam conditions. No easy options with course work that parents can influence etc. Many UK private schools had migrated to IGCSE's because of this higher regard but had to return to ordinary GCSE's because they were then excluded from the league tables. To say they are easier than GCE O level's is simply not true.

To call food technology 'cooking classes' is missing the point of all the biology and nutrition study that has to be understood. Check out the curriculum and see if you could pass muster.

You obviously have an axe to grind but. That's for you but trying to undermine the confidence of students is never a good thing.

Crumpy



Joined: 05/06/2010
Posts: 419

Message Posted:
23/08/2011 20:42

I know we're taking the thread off topic, but I have to comment on a few points you raised:



"IGCSEs are not even GCE 'O' level standard"

We're both Mathematicians, so let's talk Maths - As you may know, CIE still have 'O' level papers, which are still given particularly in India ... and having compared CIE's recent "Extended" IGCSE Maths papers with CIE's recent 'O' level papers, I have to say that 90% of their syllabi are common and the levels of difficulty are roughly the same - the 'O' level questions tended to be slightly more abstract though.

A few years ago I was teaching a super top set in a Warsaw international school ... and by Christmas they had already done all the "Extended" IGCSE past papers ... so I started giving them O level past papers ... of course informing them beforehand of the few questions, whose topics weren't required for their IGCSE exam.



There is smthg else I'd like to comment on, but we have to go out now :-(

bigOz


Joined: 29/09/2010
Posts: 1244

Message Posted:
23/08/2011 22:13

Groucho; Stop winding me up! Because I am not in the business of "mine is bigger than yours" arguments. NO ONE has undermined the confidence of any student! Since when has speaking the truth become "grinding an axe"? If I were to start grinding...!

What do you mean "To say they are easier than GCE O level's is simply not true"? Did you ever sit a GCE 'O' level OR 'A' level exam before the IGCSE system was introduced? If so, have you compared the syllabus and/or the study material? What are you basing your conclusion on? (your feelings?) I took GCE 'O' and 'A' levels early 1970s both in maths and physics and can compare. Here is a quote from the Wikipedia (I do not like quoting from - but if you are not happy I'll find another source):

"GCE O-Levels were phased out in state schools in favour of the General Certificate of Secondary Education (GCSE). Perhaps marking a significant moment in the "Dumbing Down" & "Nobody Fails" concept in the British education system."

bigOz


Joined: 29/09/2010
Posts: 1244

Message Posted:
23/08/2011 22:50

Crump; I am not worried about the education in India - they are doing fine! In fact they are doing so well that they even export "Brains" to UK! I wonder why over the recent couple of decades, UK is finding it necessary to employ more and more non-UK citizen engineers and medical staff! During my last trip to University College (where my nephew is teaching as a professor - Chemical Engineering) I was amazed at the number of foreign or ethnic minority teachers & students, who were clearly in majority.

As for GCE 'O' levels in UK, In 1988, they were phased out in state schools in favour of the General Certificate of Secondary Education (GCSE). Furthermore:

- O Level Maths has a non-calculator paper whereas IGCSE Maths allows a calculator for both papers.

- the examining time is 4.5 hours for O Level Maths compared with 3 hours for core IGCSE Maths and 4 hours for extended IGCSE Maths.

In any case, as someone who has both studied and taught the subjects, I do find IGCSEs very thin!

bigOz


Joined: 29/09/2010
Posts: 1244

Message Posted:
23/08/2011 22:58

Groucho; Here is a transcript from today's Daily Telegraph:

"The Institute of Directors said many children left school without basic reading and writing skills.

"The starting point for employers recruiting staff is surely to have access to candidates with basic literacy and numeracy skills. We are not there yet," said Richard Wilson, Head of Business Policy at the IoD.

Jacqui Smith, minister for schools, said the Government was working with employers to ensure "functional" English and Maths were studied in GCSEs.

Ed Davey, Liberal Democrat education spokesman, said GCSEs were "failing" and should now be replaced.

Last year Mike Tomlinson, former chief schools inspector, recommended GCSEs and A-levels be gradually replaced by a single diploma system, with fewer but harder exams.

The proposal was welcomed by many educationalists but rejected by the Government, which instead decided to boost vocational education in secondary schools."

I rest my case!

Groucho



Joined: 26/04/2008
Posts: 7993

Message Posted:
23/08/2011 23:14

Correct as some of those statements might be. They don't generally apply to children getting A in IGCSE Maths and English. So how do they prove your case?

We are not talking about children in the UK.

Groucho



Joined: 26/04/2008
Posts: 7993

Message Posted:
23/08/2011 23:29

PS As I sat O levels in 1968s aged 14, yes I do know what the old O levels were like before the advent of the GCSE. Only work done under examination counted - which is exactly how the IGCSE's work too.

That's why, as some students returning to the UK have found, a grade C at IGCSE was regarded as equivalent to a pass with an A in GCSE and a grade B at IGCSE was regarded as equivalent to a pass with an A* in GCSE. so rather than struggling to get into UK colleges and Universities they find they are treated favourably compared to students with 60% or their marks coming from course work (easy to fudge).

Crumpy



Joined: 05/06/2010
Posts: 419

Message Posted:
24/08/2011 00:36

However one looks at it, Rory's A* and A grades in IGCSE are outstanding ... and will be his stepping stone to further success at 'A' level ... wherever he studies. If as I guess, he chooses to study Maths, then by studying for the 'Extended' paper he has already covered about 20% of the Mechanics 1 syllabus and about 20% of the Statistics 1 syllabus.

And Big Oz, I have to take exception to your comments on the "cookery" lessons at BA (msg 40) - if only all schools could provide such a facility for their pupils - the only problem with the lessons at BA is that the room is not big enough to accommodate more pupils. And as Groucho says, the Food Technology IGCSE is as demanding as any Science IGCSE.

But getting back to the subject of the thread, I think all three of us agree that having so many more schools in the KKTC preparing pupils just for 'A' levels can only be a positive development for our children.

bonnie1707


Joined: 06/06/2010
Posts: 95

Message Posted:
24/08/2011 00:57

I have tried to follow this thread, but it got a bit confusing at times!

As I can see it, it will mean that the private schools with a high percentage of Turkish Cypriots (like ESK for example) will probably attract more international pupils, particularly ones aged 14+. Would you agree with that?

Groucho



Joined: 26/04/2008
Posts: 7993

Message Posted:
24/08/2011 06:48

ESK are doing the IB not A levels at this point in time.

bigOz


Joined: 29/09/2010
Posts: 1244

Message Posted:
24/08/2011 09:49

And a it is ESK has more high school students than any other private establishment at this time They also have as many foreign students.

Groucho; This nothing personal about anyone's offspring! The facts are there for anyone to see if they wish to. I think we have got confused about the discussion on this thread, because you keep comparing IGCSE to GCSE. Yes IGCSE is harder than GCSE, but many schools prefer IGCSE because it is less work for teachers (no marking of home works)

As for grades, they had been downgraded in UK in the past, because too many students were getting very high grades, without actually being any good at Maths and English. The same applies for the internal grades at private schools, where I had witnessed people getting 20-30 % getting C's based on weighted average. Clearly the external exams are also graded the same way. I personally would not be very happy with that. Hence, the problems that your own authorities pointed to in my post (msg 45).

Crumpy



Joined: 05/06/2010
Posts: 419

Message Posted:
24/08/2011 10:04

Re ; msg 51

Hi Big Oz,

As far as I know, the foreign students are in the minority at ESK. However, with the new rulings on A levels being accepted, having mainly TCs at the school is no longer a problem - that's what this thread is about.



Re ; msg 50

Hi Groucho,

In this article - http://www.haberkibris.com/n.php?n=bd767a2a-2011_06_07 - it writes

"Dürüst, bir soru üzerine, “IB” sınavlarını geçen öğrencilerin de kontenjanlardan yararlanması için girişimlerin sürdüğünü belirterek, bu yöndeki YÖK kararını beklediklerini söyledi."

So, it looks as though the Turkish Universities will also accept TC students according to their IB results ... and as we know UK universities have been accepting students according to their IB diploma scores for quite a few years. Indeed UK universities now look very favourably on IB graduates as they believe such students are better rounded individuals.

Crumpy



Joined: 05/06/2010
Posts: 419

Message Posted:
24/08/2011 10:05

(Continued from above)

Seeing as numerous other countries (besides Turkey and the UK) also accept IB graduates, it would seem to be the way forward for international schools. Unfortunately though, it's not easy for schools to offer the diploma because the IBO ensures the schools pass strict requirements, such as having a certain-sized library and Science labs of a number proportional to the number of students at the school.

cyprusairsoft



Joined: 22/06/2009
Posts: 2066

Message Posted:
24/08/2011 11:34

well done rory and good luck when you enter the den with the famous four

bonnie1707


Joined: 06/06/2010
Posts: 95

Message Posted:
24/08/2011 15:28

"It looks as though the Turkish Universities will also accept TC students according to their IB results" (msg 52)



That has still yet to be decided.

Crumpy



Joined: 05/06/2010
Posts: 419

Message Posted:
24/08/2011 22:36

They will Bonnie ... in fact many of the prestigious private universities, such as Koç, Sabancı and Bilkent, have for some time been trying to attract IB graduates.

Crumpy



Joined: 05/06/2010
Posts: 419

Message Posted:
24/08/2011 22:56

In the past the above mentioned universities could only ever accept students according to their ÖSS results, but as long ago as 2001, Bilkent for example was allowing IB graduates the option of switching courses in their second year of study at the university. Koç similarly have always looked favourably on IB graduates, though that may have had more to do with encouraging parents to send their children to the Koç School, a school that for almost twenty years has specialised in the IB diploma.