On August 25 this year, Russian authorities declared the Swiss-based International Baccalaureate (IB) an “undesirable organization”. The Russian Prosecutor’s Office stated that the IB “shapes Russian youth according to Western models” and “promotes non-traditional values”. This took place a week before the start of the Russian school year and impacted the 29 IB authorized schools in Russia. The ruling did not come from the Russian Ministry of Education, but directly from the Prosecutor’s Office. The New York Times article, “Russia’s Ban on I.B. Schools Deepens Its Rupture With the West” is a good analysis of the situation. The Times Educational Supplement, “Russia’s IB ban and its implications for international schools.” This follows the closing of the Anglo-American School of Moscow several years ago. This is the official statement from the International Baccalaureate.
I attended an IB Zoom Forum led by IB Director Adrian Kearney today regarding the implications of the ruling for IB World Schools outside of Russia with Russian families enrolled in the school.
- 1. Can IB World Schools outside of Russia accept transfer students from former Russian IB schools? Yes, but there is no communication between international schools and the former IB Russian school.
- 2. What are the risks for Russian national citizens enrolled in IB World Schools outside of Russia? The IB Diploma will not be recognized by Russian universities. Schools should remind families of the decision by Russian authorities. The ruling was broad and vague, so it is difficult to interpret what consequences there are for Russian students, teachers, and parents.
- 3. Can Russian citizens work in IB World Schools outside of Russia? See #2.
- 4. What advice should we give to Russian citizens’ parents? The IB interprets the ruling that enrollment in an IB World School outside of Russia does not mean “actively promoting” the IB but only being a consumer of it, so it is possible. Note that academic credentials will not be recognized in Russia. Parents are ultimately responsible for choosing education for their children.
TIS is still able to offer IB Russian A and Russian B language offerings at our school. If anyone has questions or concerns, they can reach out to support@ibo.org for more information directly from the International Baccalaureate.
TIS Director's Blog 
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