Parents in India want to give their children the best education they can. They want to send their kids to the best private schools. For this they put large amount of pressure on them. Nearly every school in India focus on just imparting bookish knowledge rather than focusing on overall personality development of the child by giving practical knowledge. They mostly focus on core subjects rather than fields of art, sports, society etc. This lack of creative educational development adds to the pressure and stress of the students.
A lot of parents find themselves in huge confusion when deciding which school or board to choose for their children. In order to sort that dilemma, we bring you comparison of CBSE, State and International board schools that will help you make an informed choice.
National Board
- CBSE (Central Board of Secondary Education) – Constituted in 1962 under purview of Government of India, CBSE at present has 18546 schools in India and 210 schools in foreign countries. It conducts several important entrance exams in the country like AIEEE and AIPMT for admissions in engineering and medical colleges. All universities and colleges in India recognizes CBSE education board for admission.
- CISCE (Council of Indian School Certificate Examinations) – A private education board in India, CISCE conducts ICSE and ISC examinations for X and XII classes across India. The body/board exists to provide the best quality education at secondary and senior secondary level in India. Our country has approximately 1900 schools affiliated to this board. In 1973, the council got the recognition as a body for conducting “public” examinations in India.
State Government Board
This board is governed under the regulations of State Act for school level education. The body conducts board exam with specially curated curriculum and syllabus that will helpful for students in higher education in State and Central educational institution. State board affiliated schools exams are simpler than those conducted to CBSE, ICSE and international board exams.
International Board
- Cambridge International Examinations (CIE) – This board conducts board examination under Cambridge assessment. The CIE provides international qualifications offering examinations and qualifications all over the world. Currently, there are about 310 Cambridge schools in the country. This board makes 44,000 examination entries for Cambridge IGCSE and Cambridge International AS and A Level, from all over India.
- IBO (International Baccalaureate Organization) – Established in 1968, this board offers primarily three programs – primary years program (PYP), middle years program (MYP) and IB Diploma program (IBDP). At present in the country, around 109 IB world schools offer these three programs. IB programmes are also recognized across India as qualification for higher education and considered equivalent to 10+2 by AIU(Association of Indian Universities).
Now that you have all the information about different boards in India, which one you should go for is completely your choice. Always consider the pros and cons of any board you pick for your kids. Make a sound choice.
Comparative Study of National, State and International Education Boards in India
| BoardParticulars | National Board | International Board | State Board | ||
| CBSE | CISCE | IBO | CIE | ||
|
Classes & Ages |
1–8 (ages 6–14) | 1–8 (ages 6–14) | PYP (ages 3–12)Primary Years Programme | Primary (ages 5–11) | 1–8 (ages 6–14) |
| 9, 10 (ages 14–16) | 9, 10 (ages 14–16) | MYP (ages 11–16)Middle Years Programme | Secondary I (ages 11–14) | 9, 10 (ages 14–16) | |
| 11, 12 (ages 16–18) | 11, 12 (ages 16–18) | IBDP (ages 16–19)Diploma Programme | Secondary II – IGCSE, O level (ages 14–16) | 11, 12 (ages 16–18) | |
| Advanced – A/ AS levels, Pre-U (ages 16–19) | |||||
|
Curriculum |
No prescribed syllabus from board, but recommends syllabus laid down by NCERT | No prescribed syllabus from board, but recommends the Inter State Board for Anglo Indian Education | Curriculum prescribed by IBO | Curriculum prescribed by CIE | Curriculum as prescribed by State Education Departments |
| Syllabus as prescribed by the CBSE | Syllabus as prescribed by the CISCE. | Curriculum prescribed by IBO | Curriculum prescribed by CIE | Syllabus as prescribed by the State Education Board | |
| Syllabus as prescribed by the CBSE | Syllabus as prescribed by the CISCE. | Curriculum prescribed by IBO | Curriculum prescribed by CIE | Syllabus as prescribed by the CBSE | |
| Curriculum prescribed by CIE | |||||
|
Assessment |
Internal assessment conducted by the teachers (no formal periodic tests, no awarding of grades or marks for primary levels; no detention till class 8) | Internal assessment with annual examinations conducted at the school level | Internal assessment with a continuous evaluation and conducted by the teachers based on certain pre-decided criterion (by the IB) | E Cambridge Primary Progression Tests (marked in school) Cambridge Primary Checkpoint (marked by Cambridge examiners) | Internal assessment conducted by the teachers (no formal periodic tests, no awarding of grades or marks for primary levels; no detention till class 8) |
| Class 9 – Internal assessment in accordance with the guidelines of the Continuous and Comprehensive Evaluation (CCE) system. Class 10 (having higher secondary levels) – Internal assessment; students are provided a Certificate of School Based Assessment. Class 10 (secondary schools, or for students who wish to move out of the CBSE system) – External assessment (AISSE examination) | Class 9 – Internal assessment with annual examinations conducted at the school level Class 10 – Internal and external assessments (ICSE examination) | Internal assessment with a continuous evaluation and conducted by the teachers based on certain pre-decided criterion (by the IB) | Cambridge Secondary 1 Progression Tests (marked in school) Cambridge Secondary 1 Checkpoint (marked by Cambridge examiners) | Class 9 – Internal assessment with annual examinations conducted at the school level Class 10 – Internal and external assessments (State Board examination) | |
| Class 11 – Internal assessment conducted by the teachersClass 12 – External assessment in the form of AISSCE examination | Class 11 – Internal assessment with annual examinations conducted at the school level Class 12 – Internal and external assessments (ISC examination) | External assessment in the form of examinations conducted at the end of the diploma program. These are marked by external examiners. Marks are awarded from 1 (lowest) to 7 (highest) for each subject. A minimum of 24 points is required for the student to receive the diploma certificate | Assessments include written, oral, coursework and practical assessment. Grading provided using eight internationally recognised grades, A* to G (six grades for O level), with clear guidelines to explain standard of achievement for each | Class 11 – Internal assessment conducted by the teachersClass 12 – External assessment in the form of State Board examination | |
| AS Level only (syllabus content is half that of A Level) ‘Staged’ assessment route All papers of A Level course in the same examination session, usually at the end of the course | |||||
| Key Subjects Taught | Languages, Env. Studies (Science and Social Science integrated), Mathematics | English, Env.Edu, Maths, Science (Physics, Chemistry, Biology) | Language; Mathematics; Science; Social Studies; Arts; Personal, Social and Physical Education | Mathematics, English and Science | Languages, Env. Studies (Science and Social Science integrated), Mathematics |
| Mathematics, Social Studies, Science, English and 1 other language as compulsory and 1 out of Information Edu., Home Science and Physical Edu. as optional | Comp subjects: English, 2nd language, History, Civics, Geography, Env.Edu. + 3 electives to be chosen from a list of courses | Languages (2), Humanities, Sciences, Mathematics, Arts, Physical Education, Technology | Mathematics, English and Science | Mathematics, Social Studies, Science, English and 1 other language as compulsory and 1 out of Information Edu., Home Science and Physical Edu. as optional | |
| Various combinations of subjects as per interest | Comp subjects: English and Env.Edu. + 3, 4 or 5 electives to be chosen from the list of courses | 1 subject from each of the following groups— Languages, Individuals and Societies, Experimental Sciences, Arts, Mathematics and Computer Science | Over 70 subjects offered (40 subjects for O level) divided into five groups | Various combinations of subjects as per interest | |
| About 55 subjects offered (for A/ AS); 26 subjects offered for Pre-U | |||||
Some other factors to be considered:
| National Board | State Board | International Board | |
| Extra Curricular Activities | A wide spectrum of extra-curricular activities and events complements learning programme. These activities imbibe the qualities like team spirit, tolerance, flexibility and appreciating others on their achievements, which in turn enriches and builds character. Like, Public Speaking & Dramatics, Art Studio, Music and Dance, Yoga,Sports, Tours & Excursions | This varies from school to school. Some give more importance to these programmes and there are some focuses on academics. State boards mostly plan for government events, SUPW Camp, tours, rally. | The Extra Curricular and sports facilities available are varied and numerous, so there should be something to suit everyone.Nearly all of the activities include sports, drama, art and music are open to both sexes and many run all the year round. In addition excursions and trekking expeditions are organized. |
| Child’s Mental Development | CBSE emphasis on Life skills development include psychosocial competencies and interpersonal skills that help people make informed decisions, solve problems, think critically and creatively, communicate effectively, build healthy relationships, empathize with others, and cope with managing their lives in a healthy and productive manner | There are no such developmental practices adopted only provisions of basic computer education. More or less, these development processes simultaneously with school events only. | IBO provides on-going professional development training, so that students are well informed. Workshops, online learning, teacher coaching, and conferences provide potential avenues to address developmental needs. |
| Pedagogy | E-CBSE is a part of the ongoing Digital India; it said adding this is an endeavor to enrich the student and the teacher communities by providing various learning and teaching resources to supplement and compliment curriculum transactions. | There is not much aid available in state board schools. They only use books and lab. Equipments to compliment curriculum. | IB documents, teacher support materials and teacher resource exchanges are available from the Online Curriculum Centre, and a range of additional publication for students and teachers can be purchased through the IB store. This enables schools to fully comply in overseas |
| Selection of Teachers | With the aim to recruit quality teachers, CBSE introduced the Central Teacher Eligibility Test (CTET) State Governments introduced the Teacher Eligibility Tests (TET) as per MHRD Guidelines after minimum eligibility requirement. With perspective to private sector, the quality of teachers in India has gone down considerably and only Elite schools that charge heavy fees may have a chance of having better teachers | State Governments also introduced the Teacher Eligibility Tests (TET) as per MHRD guidelines after minimum eligibility requirement. In State board also private schools are having less chance of good teachers. | Since most International Board schools charge a hefty fee, you can expect the teachers to be well qualified and trained for their job. |
| Digital Classroom | Central Board of Secondary Education has issued guidelines to set up virtual classrooms from primary to secondary level compulsorily. | In state only few elite schools had the privilege of setting up of digital classrooms but government soon implement it compulsory. | Schools are packaged with a robust classroom infrastructure includes a giant Interactive White Board and a projector or an All-in-one HD Touch-screen LCD, a super-fast desktop or a laptop, one assessment device per child, Hi-Fi speakers and a personalized learning device – Classpad (optional). |
| Students Performance in various Competition | CBSE curriculum ensures students best preparation for competitive examinations. CBSE’s new assessment pattern is more in tune with modern demands. It is a broad based assessment | State boards have become contemporary. For future perspective mostly parents choose national board over state board. | Jcgk IBO uses student performance on its examinations to monitor and improve the overall quality of IB programs in different countries and schools. But students enrich with best skills that help in any competitive examination. |
| School Fees | CISCE and CBSE’s affi liation by-laws state that fees charged by schools affi liated to these Boards should be commensurate with the facilities provided by the schools.
Average Annual Fee: Rs 65000-Rs. 125000) As per Assocham |
Schools under state boards have to follow regulations of their respective state governments.
Average School Fee: According to laws of state government. Lower in comparison to other boards |
The International Baccalaureate (IB) is a not-for-profit organization, which covers its main operational costs by charging fees to schools – in order to provide services supporting those schools and to implement our education programmes.
Average Annual Fee: Rs. 3-5 Lacs |