Which Educational Board Is The Best For Your Child?

Today, the world is a global village. That means we are global citizens, so our children should be able to compete and gain knowledge at par with the other top countries. For children’s education, parents often wonder which education board to choose.

The education board plays a vital role in shaping a kid’s academic, social, and creative mind. India’s education system is as vast and diverse as our country, and there are six main types of educational boards in India: CBSE, CISCE, NIOS, CAIE, IB, ICSE, and AISSCE.

Each board’s curriculum and methods differ; even assessment criteria and boards for conducting tests are different. Education boards in India impact learning standards and mold a child’s learning experience, so selecting the correct type of educational board for your kid is crucial.

This article provides an overview of the different educational boards in India and tips on how to choose the right board for your kid.

Types of Education Boards in India

In this list, we have grouped the education boards in India into three categories:

1. State Boards
2. National Boards
3. International Boards

We will discuss each board in detail.

State Education Boards of India

Each state in India has its distinctive educational board, overlooked by the state education department. The state forms the curriculum, which is more region-centric than the national board. All instructions in state board schools are given in English and the regional language.

Objective: State board schools focus on promoting region-based syllabuses and helping students prepare for state-level competitive exams like medical and engineering exams.

Exam Pattern: The state board conducts two board exams for class 10 and class 12.

Curriculum: State board schools have their curriculum designed state-wide by the state’s Department of Education, and it is usually limited in comparison to national and international boards.

National Education Boards of India

There are three boards under the National Education Board of India:

• Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE)

  CBSE is the most popular education board in India, serving public and private schools. The Union Government oversees and manages it. Hindi and English are the main languages for instruction. There are more than 24,000 CBSE-affiliated schools in India.

  Objective: CBSE schools aim to polish the overall skills of students: physical, social, and intellectual.

  Exam Pattern: CBSE conducts board exams for classes 10 and 12.

  Curriculum: CBSE follows the NCERT curriculum, which helps to prepare for national-level entrance exams after class 12.

• Council for the Indian School Certificate Examinations (CISCE)

  CISCE is a private nationwide educational board in India and conducts exams for

  • Class 10 [Indian Certificate of Secondary Education (ICSE)], and
  • Class 12 [Indian School Certificate (ISC)].

  Objective: CISCE promotes application-based learning and analytical thinking. It encourages practical learning instead of mugging the theory.

  Exam Pattern: CISCE conducts three exams: ICSE for class 10, ISC for class 12, and Certificate of Vocational Education (CVE) for students who have finished ISC exams and want to pursue a specific vocation.

  Curriculum: CISCE is considered one of the toughest educational boards in India. The syllabus is complex and detailed and covers a range of topics.

• National Institute of Open Schooling (NIOS)

  NIOS was set up by the Ministry of Human Resource Development and is administered by the Union Government. This board offers vocational and community-oriented courses to secondary and senior secondary students.

  Objective: NIOS caters to all categories of students and provides versatile and flexible education to all students.

  Exam Pattern: NIOS conducts secondary and post-secondary exams like CBSE and CISCE.

  Curriculum: The board follows NCERT and NIOS books.

International Education Boards in India

There are two boards under the International Education Board in India:

• International Baccalaureate (IB)

  The IB’s headquarters are in Geneva. It is a non-profit international education board in India that is recognised by UNESCO.

  Objective: IB aims to develop students’ critical thinking and problem-solving skills and prepare them to compete globally.

  Exam Pattern: The IB conducts exams in two sessions each year. The Diploma Programme (DP) and Career-related Programme (CP) are in November and May every year.

  Curriculum: IB focuses on experiment-based learning and does not fix any textbooks or reading lists.

• Cambridge International Examinations (CAIE)

  CAIE is part of the University of Cambridge and is a globally recognised education board. Students who have studied under the CAIE are accepted into universities in the UK, Canada, USA, Middle East, etc.

  Objective: CAIE believes in creating a strong foundation of knowledge through lifelong learning.

  Exam Pattern: CAIE conducts three main exams: the International General Certificate of Secondary Education (IGCSE), the AS level, and the A-level exams.

  Curriculum: It is one of India’s most flexible education boards and has no prescribed textbooks. However, it focuses extensively on learning the English language.

Conclusion

criteria are involved in deciding. Ultimately, the parents need to be sure of the child’s needs, goals, curriculum type, and the cost of each education board.

CBSE provides a standard education that is recognised at a national level. The international board would provide education at par with the world, while the state board would focus more on regional inclusivity.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. How do I choose the right board for my child?

Choosing the right board for your child is an important decision. Many factors must be considered before deciding, like the child’s learning style. Opt for CISCE if your child learns more through practical-based teaching. Also, if the child wants to pursue a global career, an international board school with affiliations around the world would be more suitable.

However, if he wishes to go to a state-recognized college, a state board would be better for him.

2. Can I switch boards during my child’s education?

It is possible to switchboards, but the timing of the switch is crucial, and the subjects offered by the new board must also be considered. The best time to change boards is in grade 6, grade 8, or after grade 10.

Be careful of the subjects offered by the new board, especially if you change after class 10. The stream selected by your child and subjects within the stream should also be available on the new board.

3. Which board is most widely accepted across India for college admissions?

The most popular and widely accepted board in India is CBSE, which has a standardised curriculum that helps students prepare for competitive exams at the national level.

Last Updated on October 17, 2024