Education is not just a mere qualification, but a key to success and prosperity.
As moms, we want nothing but the best for our children, and choosing the right education board is one of the crucial decisions we make. 💭💡
It’s not just about selecting a board, but understanding what suits our child’s aptitude, learning style, and future aspirations.
Let’s explore the different boards available in India and their unique features
Popularity & No. of Schools
Each educational board in India has its unique strengths and caters to different types of students. While CBSE and State Boards are the most popular, parents should select the board that best suits their child’s needs and future goals.
CBSE (Central Board of Secondary Education): CBSE is one of the most popular educational boards in India, with around 20,000 schools affiliated with it. It is a national-level board of education controlled and managed by the Union Government of India. CBSE is known for its holistic education approach and focuses on developing students’ intellectual and practical skills.
IB (International Baccalaureate): IB is an international educational board, which offers programs for students aged 3 to 19. It is recognized worldwide and is highly regarded for its challenging and rigorous curriculum. In India, there are around 160 IB schools.
ICSE (Indian Certificate of Secondary Education): ICSE is a private board of education in India that focuses on providing students with a comprehensive and holistic education. It is highly regarded for its rigorous academic standards and offers a wide range of subjects. There are around 2,000 ICSE schools in India.
State Board: Every Indian state has its state board of education, which follows a curriculum tailored to the state’s needs. The number of schools affiliated with state boards varies from state to state, but overall, it is the most popular educational board in India.
IGCSE (International General Certificate of Secondary Education): IGCSE is a globally recognized qualification that is offered by Cambridge Assessment International Education. It is highly regarded for its rigorous curriculum and focuses on developing students’ critical thinking and problem-solving skills. In India, there are around 250 schools that offer IGCSE.
Cost
Fees for different education boards in India vary significantly.
While state board schools are generally more affordable, national and international boards like CBSE, IB, ICSE, and IGCSE have higher fees.
It’s important to research and choose a board that meets your needs and fits your budget.
Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE): CBSE is a national board of education in India that conducts the CBSE Class 10 and Class 12 board examinations. The annual fee for CBSE schools ranges from Rs. 10,000 to Rs. 25,000.
International Baccalaureate (IB): IB is an international education board that offers the IB Diploma Programme (IBDP) for students aged 16 to 19. The annual fee for IB schools in India ranges from Rs. 2 lakhs to Rs. 4 lakhs
Indian Certificate of Secondary Education (ICSE): ICSE is a national board of education in India that offers the ICSE Class 10 and Class 12 board examinations. The annual fee for ICSE schools ranges from Rs. 20,000 to Rs. 2 lacks.
State Board: State boards of education are established by state governments in India and offer education in regional languages. The annual fee for state board schools varies from state to state and ranges from Rs. 5000 to Rs. 50,000.
International General Certificate of Secondary Education (IGCSE): IGCSE is an international board of education that offers the IGCSE curriculum for students aged 14 to 16. The annual fee for IGCSE schools in India ranges from Rs. 2 lakhs to Rs. 4 lakhs
Practical learning vs rote learning
All of the Indian boards have a practical approach to learning to vary degrees.
While some place a greater emphasis on practical skills and vocational courses, others focus more on critical thinking and problem-solving abilities.
Ultimately, it is up to the individual student to choose the board that best aligns with their goals and interests
CBSE (Central Board of Secondary Education): The CBSE board CBSE also offers vocational courses that are designed to provide practical skills to students, which can be helpful for their future careers.
IB (International Baccalaureate): The IB curriculum is designed to be holistic and encourages students to develop critical thinking skills, creativity, and a global perspective. IB offers a range of programs, including the Primary Years Program (PYP), Middle Years Program (MYP), and Diploma Program (DP), each with a focus on practical learning.
ICSE (Indian Certificate of Secondary Education): ICSE emphasizes the practical application of knowledge and skills and offers a wide range of subjects to choose from. The board also includes practical exams in subjects such as science, which require students to demonstrate their practical understanding of the subject.
State Board: State boards vary in their approach to practical learning, with some placing a greater emphasis on rote learning and others focusing more on practical applications of knowledge. However, many state boards offer vocational courses that can be helpful for students who wish to gain practical skills.
IGCSE (International General Certificate of Secondary Education): IGCSE emphasizes a practical approach to learning and encourages students to develop critical thinking skills, creativity, and problem-solving abilities. The board offers a wide range of subjects and includes practical exams in subjects such as science, which require students to demonstrate their practical understanding of the subject.
Curriculum
CBSE (Central Board of Secondary Education)
CBSE is one of the most popular boards in India and is accepted by most universities and colleges in India. The curriculum is designed to provide basic education and has a uniform syllabus for all schools in India. The board offers a wide range of subjects and is known for its emphasis on science and math.
IB (International Baccalaureate)
IB is an international board that offers a global curriculum and is accepted worldwide. The board aims to develop critical thinking skills, creativity, and global awareness in students. The syllabus is designed to challenge students and covers a wide range of subjects such as languages, sciences, humanities, and the arts.
ICSE (Indian Certificate of Secondary Education)
ICSE is a popular board that is known for its comprehensive syllabus and focus on English language skills. The board offers a broad range of subjects, including science, math, and social studies, and is recognized by universities worldwide.
State Board
Each state in India has its board of education, which designs its syllabus and curriculum. The state board curriculum is often aligned with the local language and culture and can vary from state to state.
IGCSE (International General Certificate of Secondary Education)
IGCSE is an international board that is recognized globally and offers a comprehensive curriculum. The board focuses on developing critical thinking skills, creativity, and problem-solving abilities. The syllabus covers a wide range of subjects such as languages, sciences, and humanities.
Sports & Co-Curriculum
All educational boards in India provide a diverse range of sports and co-curricular activities to encourage the overall development of students. Each board has its strengths, and students can choose the board that best suits their interests and aspirations.
CBSE (Central Board of Secondary Education):
CBSE offers a wide range of sports and co-curricular activities, including football, basketball, cricket, athletics, and yoga. It also focuses on activities like music, dance, drama, and fine arts. CBSE conducts annual sports events and encourages students to participate in inter-school competitions to hone their skills.
IB (International Baccalaureate):
IB is an internationally recognized board that focuses on holistic development. It offers a diverse range of sports and co-curricular activities, including swimming, tennis, golf, volleyball, and basketball. IB also encourages students to participate in community service, cultural exchange programs, and leadership workshops.
ICSE (Indian Certificate of Secondary Education):
ICSE provides a balanced curriculum that focuses on both academic and extracurricular activities. It offers a wide range of sports like football, basketball, cricket, badminton, and tennis. ICSE also encourages students to participate in co-curricular activities like debate, elocution, dramatics, and music.
State Board:
Each state in India has its state board, which offers a diverse range of sports and co-curricular activities. State boards focus on the local culture and provide opportunities for students to participate in activities like traditional dance forms, folk music, and local sports like kabaddi, kho-kho, and gilli-danda.
IGCSE (International General Certificate of Secondary Education):
IGCSE is an internationally recognised board that offers a wide range of sports and co-curricular activities, including swimming, basketball, football, and tennis. IGCSE also encourages students to participate in community service, cultural exchange programs, and leadership workshops.
Remember, there’s no one-size-fits-all approach when it comes to education. As parents, we must assess our child’s strengths, interests, and goals before making a decision. Hope this post helps you make an informed decision!
Don’t forget to bookmark this blog for future reference and share it with your friends and family. Let’s help each other make the right choice for our children’s education. 🤝
If the New Education Policy, NEP (2020) is something you would like to read about do head over to my blog for FAQ’s on NEP https://www.spectramom.com/?p=511