As parents,
we need to understand the learning capability of each child before enrolling
them in a particular board. The logic ‘
One shoe fits all’ , does not hold true in the case of education. We need to
understand that enrolling a child in a higher level of education only because
our friends have their children enrolled, may in fact become detrimental to the
childs overall development, academic performance and confidence level.
Education is not a status symbol to uphold but we should focus on the child’s
academic capabilities.
Let us
briefly understands the benefits and contraindications of each of these boards.
1. State
Board –
This board includes SSC (Secondary
School Certificate) and HSC (
Higher Secondary Certificate). These boards are available in every state and
Union territory in India.
Benefits
:-
·
All
textbooks are easily available.
·
The
fees are much lower as compared to other boards.
·
Reserved
seats within states
·
The
curriculum is sufficiently loaded also leaving time for students to concentrate
on other activities.
Contraindications :-
·
The
content in the text books are not without errors.
·
The
maintenance of the level of education is dependent on the competence of the
State government
·
While
teachers maybe easily available, their standard of teaching may not be upto the
mark.
· Schools may not have some of the basic facilities like a library
2. CBSE
( Central Board of Secondary Education) –
This board is
preferred by parents who could be transferred to another state due to their
jobs since this board is recognized by the Central Government of India.
The examination pattern followed here is the AISSCE or All India Senior School Certificate Examination for grade X and XII.
Benefits:-
·
Quality
of content in the textbooks has minimum errors.
·
CBSE
board has a system of continuous and comprehensive evaluations (CCE) for students between grade VI and X, thereby
removing the marking system and introducing the grading system.
·
It
focuses mainly on science and mathematics and other related subjects.
·
A
student can easily be transferred from one CBSE school to another in a
different state.
·
Teachers
and textbooks are easily available.
·
It
is recognized by all colleges in India.
Contraindications:-
§
Majority
of competitive entrance exams are based on the CBSE portion, however, is open
to all students.
§
Colleges
coming under State Universities have
more seats reserved for students from State Boards than CBSE board.
§
Fees
are high.
3. IB
( International Baccalaureate):-
Benefits :-
·
International
board that is recognized by almost all universities over the world.
·
Good
for students looking to move abroad.
·
These
schools are better equipped with facilities.
·
Recognized by UNESCO, Council of Europe, Organisation Internationale de la Francophonie (OIF)
Contraindications:
-
·
Fees
are much higher.
·
These
schools are only found in metropolitan cities.
·
It
becomes difficult if a student needs to shift schools as there are not many
available.
·
Text
books are not readily found.
·
The
curriculum may not be easy for some students to follow.
4. IGCSE
( International General Certificate of Secondary Education)-
This
board follows the Cambridge pattern. It focuses on the English language
curriculum and is recognized internationally.
Benefits
:-
·
IGCSE
is an international board and recognized by most universities around the world.
·
This
board has a variety of subjects to choose from.
·
This
board is good for students looking totake admission into foreign universities.
Contraindications: -
·
Fees
are much higher.
·
These
schools are only found in metropolitan cities.
·
It
becomes difficult if a student needs to shift schools as there are not many available.
·
Text
books are not readily found.
5.
CISCE (Council for the
Indian School Certificate Examinations) –
This board conducts 3 main
examinations.
ICSE for
class 10, ISC for class 12 and CVE ( Vocational education)for class 12
Benefits:-
· The course curriculum is extensive and
focuses on the overall development of the student.
· It focuses on analyctical skills of the
student and encourages practical knowledge.
· It has equal focus on English, science and
other subjects giving the student a wide array of choices to be able to prepare
for their grade 12 examinations.
Contraindications
:-
· The board curriculum can be a bit too
extensive thereby confusing the students.
· Fees are higher
· Students may find it difficult to shift to
other boards if unable to keep up with the CISCE curriculum.
· While almost all major entrance
examinations are based on the CBSE or CISCE boards, the students may find it difficult to
seek admission in colleges under the state universities as majority of the
seats are reserved for students from the State Boards.
I hope that this clearly explains in brief each board in India
available for your child. Focus on his/her capabilities rather than following
the pack.