Making the Big Board Decision

In a world that is constantly evolving and rapidly changing, as parents, it is important that we choose wisely a pedagogy that best suits our child. We must analyse our options and pick one that we believe strongly will equip them to become truly global citizens. In India, the four most sought after boards are:

  • CBSE
  • ICSE
  • IGCSE
  • IB

Let us consider each of them separately and then compare them together. 

1. Does the preschool have a strong curriculum?

  • CBSE follows a universal pattern, syllabi, and affiliates central government schools. There are over 24,500 schools in India that follow the CBSE board.
  • The first choice for parents with transferable government jobs within India, but not very easy to transfer schools internationally.
  • Kendriya Vidyalayas, all Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalayas, thousands of private schools, and those that are approved by Central Government of India. Also has schools in more than 20 countries.
  • All India Secondary School Examination (AISSE) in Grade-X and All India Senior School Certificate Examination (AISSCE) in Grade – XII are the two main examinations conducted by CBSE.

2. CICSE (Council for The Indian School Certificate Examinations)

  • CICSE is a board of school education that is privately held at a national level in India. More than 2,300 schools (mostly in India but have global presence too) are affiliated to CISCE.
  • ICSE is a private board, set up in India but also has schools outside of India. Transition from India to International Schools are less difficult than with CBSE schools.
  • ICSE board conducts 2 qualifying exams, ICSE (Indian Certificate of Secondary Education) for Grade X and ISC (Indian School Certificate) for Grade XII
  • The focus will be on a more wholesome development rather than rote learning and bookish knowledge. Students looking for overall grooming and development prefer this board over CBSE.

3. IGCSE (International General Certificate of Secondary Education)

  • The IGCSE board is an English language-based education that follows an international curriculum from Cambridge, UK.
  • This is the oldest and widely recognised board of education, founded in the 19th Century in Oxford.
  • Over 300 schools in India are affiliated to the IGCSE board. The main exams that are conducted by the IGCSE are the AS Level and the A Level exams
  • The International General Certificate of Secondary Education (IGCSE) is the board that is most widely accepted in a global scale
  • There are no pre-fixed and rigid streams where subjects are grouped together. Students have the liberty to choose from over 70 subjects available to them.
  • This board aids in the development of analytical, logical reasoning, language skills which can offer a slight advantage to students for exams such as the SAT and the GRE.
  • Two languages, Mathematics and a subject or two in the sciences form the central curricula in IGCSE.

4. IB (International Baccalaureate)

  • Headquartered in Geneva, Switzerland, IB provides a standardized education model for students worldwide. The focus is on building inquisitiveness and motivated learners.
  • More than 150 schools in India follow the IB board.
  • This board aids in the development of analytical, logical reasoning, language skills which can offer a slight advantage to students for exams such as the SAT and the GRE.
  • There is a great emphasis on extra-curricular activities and social action from a global perspective.
  • IB looks to provide global skill-development, flexibility, and an innovative approach to education.

Please read part-2 here