One thing that many parents and guardians fail to recognize is that the educational program that an institute adopts significantly affects the quality of education and influence it delivers. In the contemporary times of globalization, the necessity to equip oneself with the “global skills and knowledge” has been immensely realized. Hence, a globally recognized board or curriculum is always beneficial, when an international level of exposure is concerned.
Many people are also susceptible to changing locations or countries under various circumstances or job requirements. In such cases, the children, who are under the influence of a globally recognized board, find convenience in adjusting in the foreign learning atmosphere.
There are mainly four esteemed sanctioned board in India:-
1- CBSE ( Central Board of Secondary Education)
This is the largest board that the Indian Territory recognizes with over 16,000 schools spread across 25 countries. CBSE gravitates towards a more conventional structure of education, where theoretical knowledge is provided great attention and importance. Emphasis is focused more towards the math and science streams, and the students of this board usually experience advantage over other students, regarding the medical and engineering centered courses.
Streams with limited subject combinations are offered here with English as a compulsory language. Not much importance is provided to the extra-curricular activities
2- CISCE ( Council for Indian School Certificate Examinations)
CISCE board has around 2213 established schools in India. The pattern followed is quite similar to the one offered by the CBSE but with added content and syllabus. Along with English, another compulsory subject includes SUPW ( Socially Useful Productive Work).
3- IB ( International Baccalaureate)
This program is followed by thousands of schools spread across about 130 countries and therefore is globally acclaimed. In India, about 144 schools have endorsed this curriculum and students of nearly 118 schools proclaim the International Baccalaureate Diploma ( IBDP). This curriculum emphasizes on the overall personality development of the students, and the subjects are taught with detailed and practical approach. Six subject groups provided and the students are required to choose one from each group along with the three compulsory subjects:-
- Creativity Action Service ( CAS)
- Theory of Knowledge ( TOK)
- Extended Essay (EE)
4- Cambridge Advanced
This has been more widespread in India compared to IB and about 310 schools follow the approach fabricated by the University of Cambridge International Educations (CIE), UK. This offers students a wide variety of choice as nearly 70 subjects are present under this curriculum. Research, Global Perspective, etc.. are a few compulsory subjects and an advanced level course of the chosen subjects is provided. It also offers significant importance to the overall character development of the students and the extra-curricular activities.
Advantages of Studying in an Internationally Recognized Board
The internationally recognized boards hold certain advantages over other boards that are followed in our country. These advantages are summarized as follows:-
- Helps in maintaining the continuity in the education of the student in case of relocation to a foreign country.
- Provides international exposure and familiarizes the students with global patterns.
- The students who wish to pursue higher education from abroad can significantly reap the benefits of the training provided under these boards.
- The education focuses on honing the reasoning and logistical skills of the students, along with providing the in-depth knowledge of the course and subjects chosen by the students. All the skills that are necessary to form a dynamic personality are emphasized in such curriculum.
- The papers such as SAT and GRE are bases on the pattern set by these boards. So students who are a part of this program find it easier to crack these exams.
Which is better: CIE or IB?
When it comes to choosing between one of the two, IB and CIE, hold equal value in the international scenario. You cannot go wrong with either of the two. Both the courses provide a detailed assessment and knowledge to the students through research papers, projects, oral presentations, written examinations and the framed syllabus. The preparatory expertise offered by both the curricula is accepted by most of the leading universities of the world.
One thing that stands for CIE is that it offers an IGSCE, a qualifying exam for 10th grad students. No such provisions are present in the IB curriculum, and most parents prefer a qualifying exam for their children at this stage. Also, the Cambridge program is considered to have a more flexible and structured framework, making it be a more easily implementable choice and hence is recognized by 10,000 schools across 160 countries.
Some of the notable schools that follow the CIE and IB curricula are:-
- Ecole Globale International Girls School, Dehradun ( CBSE, IGSCE)
- Mussoorie International School ( IB)
- The Doon School (IB)
- Selaqui World School (IGCSE, IB)
