The International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme: A Structural Vulnerability Assessment of the German GIB Schools Worldwide

Abstract

The purpose of this study is to assess the structural vulnerability of German Schools Abroad offering the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme (collectively referred to as GIB DAS) using an evaluation of their utility to Germany’s foreign policy goals. Until now, German politicians and researchers in general have paid little attention to the GIB DAS. As a consequence, no reliable assessments of GIB DAS´ utility as a soft power tool exist. To provide a general overview of the GIB DAS and raise awareness of political decision makers to issues afflicting these schools, this study looks into GIB DAS´ organizational structure and uncovers its weak points. First, it analyzes stakeholders in terms of their interests, constraints, and responsibilities with regard to the GIB DAS, their communication with one another, and their motives to work in favor of or against the consolidation of the GIB DAS. Then, it assesses the susceptibility of the organizational structure through twelve proxy drivers associated with the weak points. The study concludes that the root causes of GIB DAS´ susceptibility include Germany´s pivot toward specific world regions, educational federalism, incoherent adjustment policies, market imperfections in the provision of teachers and principals, lack of accountability of principals to their school community, principals´ unfamiliarity with the Diploma Programme and lack of incentives to engage in it, and fear of creative destruction. To avert a disaster, the study formulates suggestions for preventive measures that could effectively strengthen GIB DAS´ organizational structure in the short term.