School Education in India
“Knowledge is the light which guides the soul. Education is a weapon for self-confidence.” The early system of education and learning in India was more of spiritual conquest. Here a ‘guru’ or the enlightened-one taught his disciples the secrets of his skills. Learning was not something you could walk into.
The guru chose their students, much like the entrance tests of modern time. Only the ‘selected-few’ learn the arts and knowledge that the gurus have to offer. Somehow, the early system of education was more of a relationship. The ‘shishya’ or the student lives with their guru and imbibed themselves their ways of life. Every day was a learning experience and every task a lesson. Only a very few survived the complete ordeal of the lessons offered, to end up as a well ‘polished-gem’. This is the history of education In Indian context. This has shaped our culture and given form to the Indian traditions and knowledge as we know of.
Fast forward to 2020
There are too many schools to choose from and too many boards to follow. The world is competitive today, and schools have almost become ‘status-symbols’. As it is something to boast about when your child goes to a certain ‘kind’ of school. While there is still a large part of the country which still follows the traditional way of choosing schools, based on results and the fees structure; a growing group also relates a school to a more superficial aspect of a societal ‘honour’.
The Indian education system has come a long way. Bought to India by Lord Thomas Babington, modern education came in 1830. This included Science and Maths. Today there are three major boards in India; CBSE, ICSE and the IB board. While CBSE and ICSE have been around for quite some time now, the introduction of the IB board is new to India. For a parent, it can be very challenging to choose from the various leading boards. After weighing the pros and cons, one can make a decision based on their preferences. Let us take a closer look at the top three school systems in India and what makes each one exclusive.
Indian Certificate of Secondary Education (ICSE)
ICSE is an examination conducted by the ‘Council of the Indian School Certificate Examination’. This is a non-government education board in India till the standard 10th. Known as ISC after class 10th for class 11th and 12th. The ICSE run schools are some of the oldest schools in India and cover a wider range of topics in their syllabus. Introduced by the Britishers in India, this was to form a ‘class’ of individuals who could function as a mediator between the ‘Raj’ and the common man. Let us take a look at some of the features of ICSE-run schools:
- ICSE is an ‘exam’ conducted by the CISCE
- The Medium: English
- Results: both as grades and marks obtained
- Syllabus: Difficult
- Topics covered: a wider range in comparison to other boards
- Special emphasis on literature and language studies.
Looking for an ICSE School?
Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE)
CBSE is the central board of secondary education of the Indian education system. Introduced in the country quite recently. It was in November of 1962 in New Delhi that the CBSE first came into being. There are around 16,000 CBSE schools in India alone. Other than that there are 24 CBSE schools in other foreign nationals as well. This board there for students for up to ‘Higher Secondary level’. The board conducts the examinations for classes 10th and 12th. Along with competitive entrance examinations such as AIEEE and AIPMT. AIEEE is for engineering aspirants and AIMPT is for medical aspirants. Let us take a closer look at some of the features of the CBSE board:
- This is an educational board which is in both public and private schools in India.
- The Medium: Hindi and English
- Results: Grades
- Syllabus: Easy
- The teaching system is more ‘result’ oriented
- The topics studied here are for the more ‘competition’ oriented purpose
Looking for a CBSE School?
International Baccalaureate (IB)
This is a new introduction to the Indian education system, the IB board. It was first introduced in the year 2006. This board has managed to rise in popularity since its introduction and is still growing. Today there are about 40 IB schools all over India. This board focus to offer the youth the ‘world-class’ education. The basic idea of the IB system is to offer high-quality programs. These programmes are like International education in various countries of the world. Divided into programmes the basic programme’s structures are of ‘three’ types:
- PYP: For class KG – 5 ( Primary Years Program)
- MYP: For Class 6- 10 ( Middle Years Program)
- DP: Class 11 – Class 12 ( Diploma Program)
The IB board focuses on creating thinking minds. The program is more practical and application-based. Implemented to enrich the ‘Knowledge’ rather than the memorising capacity or speed. IB system encourages both personal and academic development of each student. Trained to develop their skills and intellectual capabilities. The students grow to psychological evolved beings. Let us take a closer look at the features of the IB board:
- IB Board offers curriculum offers ‘programmes’ of a higher quality of International education
- The Medium: English
- Results: Grades
- Syllabus: program based. Knowledge oriented
- Based on the theory of knowledge the learning is through experience and exploration.
- The topics covered are of a much wider range. The students can choose from various subjects of their interest. They can use it in their higher studies.
Looking for an IB School?
Which Board to Choose for your Child?
One can say that we are at the changing times for the education scenario in India. The last two decades have seen some rapid changes in the perception of education in our country. The various new boards like the IB board has received a warm welcome in the country. Yet, one must bear in mind that the school you choose should have various positive factors.
IB Board
Advantages:
- Balance approach to education.
- Major subjects include: Languages, Humanities, Creative Studies, Social studies, Mathematics
- Choice of a subset of the course offered in each ‘group’. One can choose the subject of their own choice within the syllabus.
- Designed for exposure, examinations are the understanding of the concept. Free access to resources to be able to learn better.
- Internationally recognised.
- Access to Universities across the world.
Disadvantages:
- Not for higher education in Indian Universities.
- Not too many IB schools in India. This can be a problem in case of transfers.
- IB schools are expensive.
CBSE Board
Advantages
- This syllabus is followed for the entrance examinations across the country.
- One can choose a CBSE school anywhere else as these schools are widely spread.
- Has both Hindi and English medium of education.
Disadvantages:
- Memorising and extensive textbook form of learning.
- The syllabus is ‘competition’ oriented.
- Does not include research-based learning. More emphasis on mugging-up.
ICSE Board:
Advantages:
- The Syllabus covers a wide range of topics and is quite vast.
- Emphasis is given to English language and literature.
- The ICSE board is more flexible.
- The certificate is recognised all over the world.
Disadvantages:
- Only a limited number of schools are affiliated to the ICSE syllabus.
- The syllabus is very old.
- Only English is the Medium used.
The Final Verdict
Parents weigh their final decision after taking the pros and cons to account. It is also advised to bear in mind the budget to have and the plans you have made for your child. Sometimes, children should choose their school based on their unique capabilities. Recommended to parents for not imposing their dreams and experiences to their kids. This might affect their future, for making their choices, as they have their own identity to own up to.