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ICSE vs CBSE: Choose the Right Board of Education for Your Child!

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Saba Alam
ICSE vs CBSE: Choose the Right Board of Education for Your Child!

Indian schools have two main education boards to choose from - CBSE and ICSE. Unless you want to admit your child to a school that follows state board or IB curricula, you have to choose between ICSE and CBSE boards. That’s where the dilemma begins. 

 

How to decide the best board of education for your child?

 

Well, there is no exact answer to this question. Both boards have their pros and cons, and the choice depends on what you want for your child. 

Here’s a brief rundown of how the two boards differ- 

 

 

  • Admission process

 

There are a few differences in the admission process of the two boards. Children who want to start school under the CBSE board may have to sit for some tests. However, students willing to enroll in the CBSE curriculum for Class X or XII must have studied under the CBSE board in the past and will have to obtain a NOC from the last school they were studying in. Furthermore, admission to Class X and XII is possible only if a student had to relocate. 

On the other hand, students starting school under ICSE must sit for a standard test. Admission to Class X and XII will be granted only if the Council approves the same.

 

 

  • Medium of instructions

 

ICSE allows only English as the medium of instruction, while CBSE gives you a choice between Hindi and English. So, if your child is not comfortable with English as the teaching medium, you can choose a CBSE school for your child. 

 

 

  • Subjects 

 

There is a significant difference in the subjects that students get to study. CBSE board mandates that students study at least six subjects (English, Hindi, Science, Mathematics, Social Science, and a vocational course) during the 10th standard. 

However, ICSE has only three must-have subjects for students of the 10th standard- English, a second language, and history, Civics, or Geography. This means that the total number of subjects are more under the ICSE board than the CBSE board as students have to choose additional subjects in ICSE. 

 

 

  • Expenses

 

This may not be the most crucial deciding factor, yet there’s no ignoring it. Enrolling your child in an ICSE school might be more expensive. And not only in India, but ICSE Indian high school fees in Dubai and many other countries will be more than CBSE. Additional expenses like books will also be more than what you need to pay in CBSE schools. So, if you want to cut back on costs, opting for the CBSE board would be the best choice.

 

 

  • Syllabus

 

There is a massive difference in the syllabus followed by the two boards. ICSE board has a comprehensive and detailed syllabus, while that of CBSE is compact and easy. Students studying in CBSE schools do better in Mathematics and Science. 

However, the ICSE curriculum gives equal importance to all branches of education – Mathematics, Science, Language, Art, and Humanities. If you want your child to gain knowledge in different subjects, the ICSE board will be the best choice. 

 

 

  • Teaching methodology

 

The difference between ICSE and CBSE extends to teaching techniques as well. ICSE focuses more on a practical approach to understanding concepts. However, that’s not the case in the CBSE curriculum. CBSE aims for a much more theoretical approach. Naturally, the ICSE Indian high school fees in Dubai and other locations is more than that of a CBSE board school. 

 

 

  • Competitive edge

 

While students studying under the ICSE board may have some advantages, the going gets tough for them in competitive exams like NEET, IITJEE, etc. This is because these exams are broadly based on the syllabus chalked out by CBSE. However, students willing to appear for exams like TOEFL can benefit from the ICSE syllabus and mode of teaching. 

Both boards have their positives and negatives, and no one board is a winner in all aspects. You must consider each factor wisely and decide which board will suit your child better. 

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Saba Alam
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