I E B, Johannesburg

. When the Joint Matriculation Board (JMB), as the only assessment body in South Africa to offer examinations for non-racial schools, relinquished its examination function in 1989, a number of heads at independent schools came together to found IEB. The IEB's primary reason for being was to ensure that there was at least one non-racial assessment body at Grade 12 during the time of apartheid to serve progressive schools that stood in opposition to the apartheid policies of the day. Today the IEB, whilst still maintaining its independence, is a leader in innovative assessments that are relevant to South Africa. The IEB has also established itself as a significant role-player and a key partner to government in building our education system in a democratic South Africa.