India primarily has 4-5 boards of education. Children have more choices in education to pick a curriculum as per their preference. However, picking a curriculum for your child can be a bit confusing. It depends on various factors such as future goals of your children, extra-curricular activities the curriculum provides you with, and of course its affordability. Here we bring to you all the information you need to gather before choosing a board for your child. Some salient features of all the major boards of India are jotted down below:
CBSE (Central Board of Secondary Education)
Pros
- There is a wide range of schools which adopt this curriculum. Thus finding a school in your locality might not be a problem for you
- They have their own standardized NCERT textbooks
- If you wish to choose a board keeping in mind the college entrance exams then CBSE is for you as its curriculum is in line with college entrances
- It’s major focus is on maths and science and very less on language subjects
- If you have a relocating job then this board is suitable for you as it has a standardized curriculum all over India
- It’s favored by those who wish to attain a career in engineering and medical field
Cons
- It has lesser number of subjects as compared to ICSE
- More theoretical approach and less practical
- You don’t get much focus on other subjects apart from maths and science
- You don’t have the choice of picking individual subjects in 11th and 12th; rather you pick the whole stream
ICSE (Indian Certificate for Secondary Education)
Pros
- Students have the choice to follow any textbooks of their choice
- Candidates from a non-affiliated school are not permitted to appear for the exam
- It focuses equally on all the subjects such as language, art, and science
- It offers a large variety of subjects
- If you are more interested in applied knowledge rather than rote learning then ICSE is for you
Cons
- It provides greater focus on practical knowledge than CBSE does but lesser than IB or IGCSE
- Its curriculum is tougher than CBSE
- It has more number of subjects than CBSE
IB (International Baccalaureate)
Pros
- Its curriculum is popular all over the world
- It is divided into three sections, the PYP (Primary Year Program for KG to 5thstd), MYP (Middle Year Program for 6th to 10th std) and DYP (Diploma Years Program for 11th and 12thstd)
- It’s curriculum focuses majorly on arts and humanities and analytical skills
- More focus on applied knowledge rather than rote learning
- Students can pick a subject of their choice at the DYP level each from 6 groups and DP core
- It is preferred by those who wish to send their children abroad for graduation or those who are likely to relocate globally
Cons
- It’s a newcomer to the Indian education scene
- It’s not in line with the local entrance exam content
- It’s slightly expensive than ICSE and CBSE schools
- Private tutors aren’t readily available
- Private students aren’t allowed to take the exams
IGCSE (International General Certificate of Secondary Education)
Pros
- It provides international curriculum to class 9th and 10th
- It acts as a precursor for the IB curriculum in many international schools
- It provides the larger choice of subjects
- Assessments are comprised of both oral and written exams
- The students have a choice to pick from core subjects as well as to pick from groups of subjects
- Suitable for students who wish to pursue their under graduation abroad and also those whose parents keep relocating worldwide
Cons
- Private tutors are hard to find for extra coaching
- More expensive as compared to CBSE and ICSE schools
State Boards
Pros
- The curriculum is unique to every state in India
- Slightly easier as compared to other boards
- The curriculum is designed so as to accommodate students of all capabilities
- You can score well in public exams
- As the workload is less one can focus on other activities such as sports that take up a lot of time
- Suitable for those students who wish to score high and simultaneously prepare for competitive exams such as IIT and JEE
Cons
- The syllabus is not comprehensive enough as compared to another curriculum
- Students might not be able to score good in entrance exams in 12th
- Known for promoting rote learning
- Usually, the state language is mandatory to opt which might act as a hurdle for students from other states
Comments