Primary Years Programme

PYP ​Coordinator Welcome

This is Dina Ragaie, and I am delighted to be a part of our GPBS community. With over 12 years of experience in the field of education, I have dedicated more than 7 years to the International Baccalaureate Primary Years Programme (IB PYP) and over 5 years in leadership positions, enriching my journey as an educator.

I hold the Professional Educator diploma in teaching early years learners from the American University in Cairo, a school management and leadership certificate from Harvard University, and have participated in numerous IB workshops. These experiences have equipped me with a comprehensive understanding of educational practices and leadership skills.

I am a firm believer in the importance of empowering learners and educators to reach their fullest potential. This belief aligns perfectly with the IB mission, which emphasizes developing inquiring, knowledgeable, and caring young people who are motivated to succeed and lead positive change in their local and global communities.

I also believe in the crucial role of parents' positive involvement in the learning journey. I understand that a strong partnership between educators and parents fosters a supportive and enriching environment for students, enhancing their overall educational experience.

Creating a meaningful collaborative learning environment is integral to the success of both learners and educators. As a lifelong learner and communicator, I thrive on interacting and collaborating with others, constantly seeking to develop, grow, and explore new perspectives.

I am excited to contribute to our school's community and look forward to starting a fruitful and inspiring journey together.

PYP Coordinator

Dina Ragaie

The PYP is tailored for students from 3 to 12 years of age. The program’s pedagogical structure takes into account the changing global dynamics, creating an educational paradigm that is deeply rooted in current educational and leadership research.

The PYP curriculum framework promotes conceptual understanding and views inquiry and reflection as important components of its program. Student action is viewed as the culmination of the learning process. Students at GPBS are encouraged to become engaged citizens of the world, initiating action; both locally and globally. The IB teaching and learning philosophy moves away from rote learning and fosters inquiry-based techniques, challenging students’ minds and developing their creativity and critical thinking skills.

Teachers are facilitators who help students construct the knowledge themselves based on their previous understanding. When students start to take ownership of their learning through engagement, inquiry, reflection and consequent actions, student agency evolves. When students are given voice and choice, their presence becomes pertinent as they occupy domains previously associated with adults. Students have a unique perspective on the process of teaching and learning and they are always given genuine opportunities to frame and shape their educational experience.

The PYP framework encompass six transdisciplinary themes (units of inquiry):

  • Who we Are
  • How We Express Ourselves
  • Where we Are in Place and Time
  • How We Organize Ourselves
  • How the World Works
  • Sharing the Planet

Through the conceptual framework of the Units if Inquiry, students get to make transdisciplinary connections and connect their learning to authentic, real-life situations. Establishing those connections result in the enhancement of students’ agency, where students direct their learning to take responsible action within their community.

Approaches to Learning Skills (ATL Skills):

ATL skills are integrated within the teaching and learning framework in the PYP. The development of those skills helps students become more self-efficient and self-regulated learners who are well equipped with the tools they need to acquire knowledge. ATL skills include:

  • Communication Skills
  • Self-Management Skills
  • Research Skills
  • Social Skills
  • Thinking Skills

The PYP Exhibition:

The PYP exhibition is a culminating event in the final year of the PYP. Students go through a collaborative in-depth inquiry into a real-life issue and they display their knowledge, skills and action at the end of their inquiry.

To learn more about the PYP, please visit the IB website: https://ibo.org/

PYP Team

Gathered together in constant collaboration, the PYP team stands united in strength and dedication; the driving force behind the success of the PYP program.