Education Sector is gaining its importance among the parents in recent days. Every parent wants their children to get educated in a good school. With thousands of schools providing different education systems and boards, parents are clueless about choosing the right educational board for their children. It is not that easy to decide an education board blindly. Especially in a country like India where there are so many different cultures. The complex social structures in India demand not one but many education boards, hence we are going to talk about the various educational boards in India.
What is the Education Board?
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Just like any organization, an authority is needed to monitor schools and the day to day operations such as designing the syllabus or to conduct exams.
Due to the complex education system, there are various educational boards in India that cover education institutes from Kashmir to Kanyakumari.
There are however 4 to 5 boards that are actively involved in all the processes related to learning programs, curriculum requirements, assessment criteria, and procedures for conducting tests that contribute to the overall upliftment of students.
We will have a detailed look at these and some state boards that cater to the needs of the students in India.
- CBSE (Central Board of Secondary Education)
- CISCE (Council for Indian School Certificate Examination)
- IGCSE (International General Certificate of Secondary Education)
- IB (International Baccalaureate)
- State Boards
- NIOS (National Institute of Open Schooling)
CBSE (Central Board of Secondary Education)
As the name suggests the board is directly governed by the government of India. That is a primary reason this board gets the top position among the education boards in India.
CBSE caters to more than 1000+ central schools popularly known as the Kendriya Vidyalaya. Not only the government, but close to 17000+ private schools are affiliated to CBSE.
More than 24000 schools from across the country are affiliated to CBSE and 200+ CBSE schools are based out of India.
Some facts related to CBSE board students –
- Highest number of students are enrolled in CBSE schools, however there are not enough options for students interested in Arts and Literature.
- CBSE board is recognised by all colleges in India
- Syllabus focuses more on application based activities in mathematics, science and other relevant subjects.
CBSE is best preferred for students who plan to prepare for National level Entrance exams and being a widespread board it’s easy for students to shift schools. Although CBSE boards are very popular amongst parents, in some schools they happen to be the costliest choice for the parents.
Council for the Indian School Certificate Examination –
After CBSE, CISCE is known as the top board in India. It is a private board that conducts exams through ICSE examination. As the name suggests the ICSE stands for Indian Certificate for Secondary Education.
CISCE was started as an alternative or rather to give a competitive edge to students so that they can compete with students who study in the British or American School System.
The certificates provided by the board are accepted not just in India but out of India as well. CISCE board is divided in two categories one is for students completing 10th Standard (Secondary School) and the other one is for 12th standard (Higher Secondary School).
Students who complete 10th Standard are awarded ICSE certificate and students completing 12th standard are awarded ISC certificate.
Apart from ICSE(Indian Certificate Secondary Education) and ISC(Indian School Certificate), the CISCE board also conducts exams for students who are interested in specific vocations. These are called Certificates for Vocational Education (CVE)
Some FACTS about CISCE board –
- The board focuses on analytical skills and imparting practical knowledge.
- Unlike CBSE the CISCE syllabus is focused on all subjects. Subjects such as Arts and Literature get equal importance.
- The main highlight of the program is that the students whose parents have to travel abroad for work can easily get acceptance in International schools.
- The ICSE board is focused on english language as medium of instruction
The ICSE/ISC affiliated schools charge more tuition fees compared to CBSE schools. Hence the board is preferred by parents who can afford to pay higher tuition fees.
International General Certificate of Secondary Education (IGCSE) –
This is an international private board operational in India. As the name suggests IGCSE is an international board and is a part of University of Cambridge.
CIE (Cambridge International Education) conducts IGCSE exams. Students with CIE credentials are accepted in the United Kingdom and United States (Including all IVY League Schools), European Union, Canada, India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Middle East and West Asia as well.
Considering IGCSE is accepted across continents, it won’t be incorrect to say that the board is the largest provider of education services.
One of the primary objectives of the IGCSE curriculum is that it makes students fall in love with the learning process that is not limited to schools but lifelong learning.
Some FACTS related to IGCSE –
- As discussed before, most of the universities across the world recognize IGCSE.
- Very advanced curriculum and it offers close to 70 subjects to choose from.
- Focuses on building proficiency in foreign languages
- Encourages students to understand outside world not be limited to classroom education
- Just like CISCE the board focuses on practical learning
As the board caters to international education IGCSE is preferred by higher income groups as the fee structure is quite high
International Baccalaureate (IB) –
International Education foundation that operates in many countries. One of the most respected boards around the world, it offers skills based learning experience.
Headquartered in Switzerland the board is known for it’s in-depth approach and helps students grow in their subject of choice.
The IB has devised the curriculum in 4 different categories – Primary (3-12 years), Middle (11-16years), Diploma (16-19), Career related programme (16-19)
The primary objective of the board is to develop problem solving skills and help students to become critical thinking individuals. The IB aims at creating Global Citizens.
Some FACTS of IB –
- IB is recognized by UNESCO.
- programmes help students to develop the attitudes and skills they need for both academic and personal success
- IB programmes increase understanding of languages and cultures, and explore globally significant ideas and issues
- Focused curriculum on skills. Fosters ZEST for learning and curiosity.
- Best possible option for students who are planning to go abroad for education.
- A student can pick one subject from each of six distinct subject groups, allowing scope for diversity and adaptability.
State Boards –
Since India is known for its diversity, the state boards are favored by many Indian students. The state boards are known for imparting the best possible education in a local setting.
Every state in India has its own boards for 10th and 12th exams. These boards are known for their relevant local experience. Even though the curriculum is limited compared to other national or international level boards.
Students preparing for state level entrance tests for engineering or medical or management higher exams get the most benefit through state boards.
Some FACTS about State Boards –
- The syllabus is easier compared to other boards.
- Local languages are preferred over english language
- Students who wish to score well in competitive exams such as the JEE and NEET benefit from state board exams.
- Quality of teaching varies according to the school.
The state boards are most affordable for students who belong to lower income groups.
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NIOS (National Institute of Open Schooling) –
This board is recognised by other boards for secondary and higher secondary education. As the name suggests the board is open for various kinds of students.
Especially for those who have some kind of disability or are unable to attend regular school due to various reasons. The board is controlled by Ministry of Human of Research and Development, India.
NIOS is known for its distinctive structure, it gives freedom to get education at self pace over a period of time.
Some FACTS about NIOS –
- NIOS welcomes all kind of students, irrespective of the social or financial backgrounds. Student with disabilities benefit more under NIOS
- Students can study at any time, as per the convenience. Though they are certain guidelines to be followed, it is great for students who have left education midway for doing some kind of work.
- Not mandatory to attend class room sessions. NIOS studies can be pursued from anywhere in India and some countries abroad.
- The open learning system is a very good way of gaining real world skills, NIOS is very good for obtaining vocational or skill based education.
NIOS is best for students who can not afford to go to school regularly and pay the higher tuition fee.
Even though there are various education boards in India. It is important that the students focus on the basic foundations and understand what they want to focus on from a career perspective. As a parent, it’s your duty to guide children on which board to choose based on their interests, abilities and future career choice.
To get professional and expert advice on the same, seek guidance from our career experts at Amaze Career Counseling.