As a Parent we are always concerned for our children and want to provide them with the best of everything. Our child s well being is our top most priority and parents strive to provide the best possible education whether they are in elementary or secondary school. Choosing the right Educational Board is very critical for a successful career of the student.
Both the boards are very popular in India but There are numerous factors to consider when selecting the Educational Board and make an informed decision. Lets break it down.
Overview of CBSE
CBSE stands for Central Board of Secondary Education. Most of the schools across India follow this board. The main focus of the is board is all round development of a students intellect and personality. The curriculum of CBSE is made by the National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT). This board has a more structured approach which benefits students appearing for NEET and JEE exams or competitive exams. All CBSE schools follow the same curriculum thus having standardization across all schools. The syllabus is student friendly and more focus is given on making the foundation strong . Parents who want to send their child in Engineering, medical or other competitive field usually opt for this board. The CBSE Board Exams are usually conducted in March every year for Classes 10 and 12.
Overview of ICSE
ICSE stands for Indian Certificate of Secondary Education. Council for the Indian School Certificate Examinations (CISCE) conducts the exams for ICSE board. The ICSE board exams are conducted for class 10th students between Feb and March every year, ISC (Indian School Certificate ) Board Exams are held for class 11th and 12th also between Feb and March. ISC board is also regulated by CISCE.
The ICSE curriculum provides a very balanced approach to studies and it gives equal focus to arts, science and language subjects. The syllabus gives a lot of focus on application based learning and English language skills. This helps the students to clear English proficiency tests, such as TOEFL or IELTS, when they are applying to international universities. T he curriculum includes a lot of practical project work and a significant portion of the marks is allocated for practical examinations. This approach helps the students to prepare well for a large variety of fields like literature, arts and management. Similar weightage is given to all subjects like that of arts and science and so this board is known for its balanced approach to education.
Key Differences between CBSE and ICSE Board
Comparison |
CBSE |
ICSE |
| Network | All the KV schools, all other govt schools and many of the private schools follow CBSE board. This board is prevalent not only in metro cities but tier two and tier three cities as well. | ICSE is governed by private board CISCE and the schools which opt for this curriculum are only affiliated. Most of the private schools of metro cities where English medium education is preferred opt for this. |
| Syllabus and Pedagogy | It has more focus on math’s and science. Beneficial for students who are wanting to sit in competitive exams like JEE,NEET. It has a structured and controlled curriculum designed by NCERT and all schools follow the same syllabus ensuring uniformity | ICSE has a more detailed syllabus. Equal focus is given to all subjects including Language, arts and science. It offers broader syllabus with more practical learning and English proficiency which aligns well with international education standards |
| Teaching and Learning style | It is more conceptual and exam focused. More theory based and less of internal assessment. NCERT books are used for studying | It is more analytical and practical based. There is a lot of practical’s, internal assessments and lab evaluations. CISCE recommended books are used |
| Examination and Evaluation | This board has questions which are more straightforward and has direct application of critical concepts. It has both subjective and objective questions. It focusses less on in depth analysis ac compared to ICSE Board. | It has a very focus on conceptual learning along with clarity of expressions and thoughts. There is rigorous and comprehensive learning. The board examines a students depth of understanding and knowledge and writing, expression and language skills. |
| Medium of Instruction | The medium of instruction in CBSE board is both Hindi and English. This board has students from all across the nation including tier 2 and 3 cities so CBSE schools promote Hindi and mother tongue at educational levels. | The medium of Instruction is strictly English. Its focus is to strengthen English writing and speaking skills from early age. |
| Preparation of Competitive Exam | Students who want to sit for competitive exams like JEE and NEET usually opt for CBSE Board as the syllabus is closely aligned with the competitive exam syllabus, thus it helps the students to prepare well as they are already familiar with the topics and concepts required in these exams | It provides a strong foundation in English and increases the analytical skills of the students. The students of this board do fairly well in TOFEL and IELTS exams required for international universities. The analytical skills and critical thinking skills developed through this curriculum help in the long run |
| Fee structure | CBSE Schools have a mix of private and public schools. So the fees is comparatively less. Also location, city and level of prestige attached with a school also plays a role in the fees of the schools | The fees is higher for ICSE affiliated schools. |
Which is Better – ICSE and CBSE
It is very tough to decide which board is better ICSE or CBSE both have their own pros and cons. There is no right answer to this and it depends on what the parents or student wants. Students with the right planning and execution can excel in both the boards but the choice may affect their future career paths. Incase your child is looking for career in Engineering or Medicine then they should opt for CBSE curriculum as it is more competitive based. One more factor to consider is that CBSE board is available across India while ICSE is still more prevalent in metro cities as of now and if the child may have to shift base from one location to another then CBSE would be a better option. While ICSE will provide holistic learning with critical thinking and analytic skills across a broad range of subjects. Students who are interested in literature, arts or pursue higher education abroad should opt for ICSE curriculum. The decision lies with you and should be taken kept in mind with your child’s aspirations, educational needs and long term success.
Conclusion
Both CBSE and ICSE have their own distinct advantages. They both provide a strong foundation. In the end it depends on the students learning , their future aspirations and interests. When taking the decision between the two consider the future goals of your child, their academic strengths and the educational environment that will help in their overall development.