CBSE Curriculum vs Other Boards: Which is Best for Your Child
Selecting the right educational board for your child is one of the most important decisions you’ll ever make. Many options are available for you, such as CBSE, ICSE, CIE, Waldorf, and IB. As a parent, it is evident that you might overwhelm yourself when selecting the one for your kid.
The choice requires careful consideration of various factors, including the curriculum each of these boards teaches, their teaching methods, and the school’s overall environment. Each board is unique in its approach to education and defining your child’s academic journey toward excellence.
In this quick guide, we will discover why CBSE schools should be your first choice.
Understanding the Educational Boards in India
Each educational board in India has its unique features and qualities that cater to different learning needs and goals. Choosing the right board is crucial for your child’s academic and personal growth. Here’s what to consider:
- Focus Areas: Different boards focus on different aspects, such as academics, extracurricular activities, and skill development.
- Flexibility: Some boards have centralised syllabi, while others have regional variations.
- Future Opportunities: The board choice can impact higher education and career prospects, especially for international or niche options.
- Pedagogical Approach: Boards vary in their methods of teaching, ranging from traditional rote learning to application-based approaches.
When it comes to your child’s education, the choice of board can seem overwhelming. Think about what matters most to you and your child:
- Do you want a structured curriculum with a national focus?
- Do you want to emphasise creativity and critical thinking?
- Or perhaps long-term benefits like flexibility or international opportunities?
Knowing these differences will help you align your child’s learning journey with their strengths and future goals.
Popular Educational Boards in India: CBSE vs ICSE vs State Boards
India has many boards to choose from, each catering to different learning styles and plans. Whether you want a global curriculum or a structured national framework, there’s something for everyone. Let’s explore the most popular ones and what makes them different.
Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE)
This is one of the most popular educational boards in India. Many people prefer CBSE schools for their kids over other boards. The key reason for its popularity is its structured approach to education. Here’s how it stands out from the rest:
- Structured curriculum focused on imparting core subjects.
- Learning is application-based and develops the problem-solving ability of your kids.
- Centralised syllabus for the entire nation, facilitating easy movement of your child to other CBSE schools with your job transfers.
- The curriculum encourages analytical thinking.
Indian Certificate of Secondary Education (ICSE)
This is another reputed board following popularity in India. The curriculum of ICSE is popular for its comprehensive syllabus focused on deep learning. The medium of instruction for the board is English. Here’s how it stands distinct from the CBSE school curriculum:
- The curriculum is comprehensive.
- Prioritises In-depth understanding and critical thinking.
- Practical knowledge and project-based learning.
- Internal evaluation assessments and external board examinations.
State Boards
As the name suggests, the curriculum of State Boards differs from state to state. These curricula are more region- and culture-specific. Here’s how they differ from other boards:
- State-to-state curriculum difference
- Regional syllabus customisation
- State level examinations
- Differing formats
- Includes state-specific languages and cultural influence in its curriculum
- Strong connection with the local community and culture
How CBSE Curriculum Differs from Other Educational Boards
Here are some factors to consider while selecting the right educational board for your child’s academic excellence:
Curriculum
The curriculum of the top 10 CBSE schools in Howrah is more structured and uniform. This is not the case with the ICSE schools, as they offer a broader syllabus, imparting an in-depth understanding. On the other hand, the state boards may have state-specific curricula with additional regional language.
Assessment Method
CBSE schools usually follow a continuous evaluation pattern and a structured examination format. ICSE patterns are based more on the internal assessment of projects. The state boards may differ in their evaluation methods.
Future Aspirations
While deciding on your child’s educational partner, consider their goals. Some competitive exams are better aligned with the CBSE school curriculum. ICSE’s curriculum is more specific to enhanced critical thinking.
Extracurricular Activities
ICSE emphasises developing your child holistically with a balance of education and extracurricular activities. CBSE also follows a similar approach, while state boards may differ according to state requirements.
Geographical Mobility
If your job or spouse’s job requires frequent changes in your location, CBSE schools could be advantageous as the curriculum here remains centralised.
Learning Style
Your child’s learning style matters, too. CBSE follows a more structured learning mode, while ICSE is somewhat flexible. State boards are more localised localised options.
CBSE vs. WBBSE: A Quick Comparison for Parents
Gharami and Bhattacharyya (2023) analysed the curricular contents of CBSE and WBBSE boards. While both boards have similarities in academic rigour, the choice largely depends on your child’s aspirations and strengths.
For instance, if your child is passionate about excelling in Bengali and values a regional focus, WBBSE might be the better fit. On the other hand, if they aim to strengthen their command of English and prefer a nationally standardised curriculum, CBSE would be a great option.
Choosing The Right Education Board for Your Child
Your selection of the right school and board should always align with your kids’ learning styles, needs, and future goals. First, understand your kid well. Then, shortlist your educational board options using the following checklist –
Research
Research well about each board. This includes the curriculum, assessment methods, and the school’s philosophy. Understand how your school’s factors resonate with your kid’s requirements.
Be Thorough with Your Child’s Learning Style
Knowing your child’s mind and learning style can go a long way in dividing the best for their future. Find out: is your child comfortable learning in a structured environment, or do they prefer a more comprehensive one?
Assessing Your Child
Monitor your child’s weaknesses, strengths, learning styles, and interests daily. Some children excel perfectly on specific boards.
Future Goals
These days, kids are more ambitious. With technology reaching their hands earlier than us, they are in a better position to decide and shape their future. If your child has decided on his ambitions, select the board that resonates well with the competitive exams of his chosen career path.
Check the Location
Besides the factors listed above, you should be thorough with the location of the school you are selecting for your child. Consider everything from your waking time to your time to leave for the office. You will likely commute more if your child’s school is far off. Additionally, your child may lose his time in communication, which otherwise could have been more productive.
Check How the School Develops Children’s Extracurricular
A thorough assessment of the extracurricular activities imparted in the school is quite essential. This is how your child will be brought up. It develops your child holistically.
Is Switching Boards Possible and Beneficial?
As a parent, you should closely monitor how your child progresses holistically. If your child deviates from their ambitions, or if the selected education system’s goals don’t align with your child’s ambitions, you can move your child to a different board. Your child may also develop a passion for something else over time. Although they can make this switch at any level, Grade 8 is frequently considered ideal.
Final Thoughts
The debate of choosing the best education system amongst CBSE schools vs. other schools will continue. As a responsible parent, you should prepare a checklist of your child’s ambition and their roadmap to reach their ambition first. Once this is done, evaluate all the boards you have in your locality. Assess how they align with your child’s ambition and then make an informed decision.
At Credemont International School in Kolkata, they follow the CBSE curriculum. The school offers a well-balanced and recognised education. They will support your child’s growth—not just academically, but physically and emotionally, too. With experienced teachers, great infrastructure, and a caring environment, Credemont can help your child reach their full potential. Connect with Credmont International School today to learn more about how you can make a difference in your child’s journey.