21/07/23How to choose a board? CBSE vs. IB vs. Cambridge
Which board is better? is the real question for every parent, who is seeking admission for their children. So, this article will help you to understand how to choose a board. By giving the difference between CBSE, Cambridge, and IB curriculum.
CBSE Board –
- The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) was formed in 1962 with the mission of providing students in the country with a high-quality education. Many entrance exams for the most reputed engineering and medical institutes of India follow CBSE board syllabus. Therefore, the board prepares the students for these kinds of examinations.
- CBSE is acknowledged by the NCERT(National Council Of Educational Research and Training). And has a significantly higher number of affiliated schools than any other board in India.
- It is often preferred by parents who need to relocate every few years. Moreover, all Kendriya Vidyalaya and Navodaya Vidyalaya are affiliated with CBSE.
- The board allows teaching in English as well as Hindi, making it accessible to everyone and smaller areas of the country where English may not be prevalent.
- While practical work is a part of the curriculum, the emphasis stays on theoretical learning. It has a set of recommended textbooks that children have to follow.
- Co-curricular activities and physical education are also important in this syllabus. The syllabus is versatile and creates a stress-free environment for children.
- Students aiming at pursuing a career in Engineering or Medical should prefer this board, as the syllabi and pattern of Indian entrance examinations in these two domains are aligned with the CBSE curriculum.
- CBSE schools are also cheaper as compared to the other two boards, thus someone seeking a quality education that doesn’t break the bank, CBSE is the way to go.
Also Read –CBSE Vs ICSE – Find the Difference and Know the Best Board
IB Board –
- The International Baccalaureate (IB) founded in 1968, is an international foundation for education that has its headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland.
- It was adopted in the year 1976 in India and presently, there are about 212 by February 2023 schools in India following the IB curriculum.
- Also, provides students with a lifelong practical learning experience with truly International Curriculum.
- The board is child-centric and encourages inquiry-based learning. Usually, children studying with the IB curriculum are more independent, and decisive, and take ownership of their decisions.
- The five categories of skills – thinking, research, self-management, social, and communication skills are practiced.
- The board focuses equally on music, art, business administration, etc. balancing out every subject. One of the best things about the IB curriculum is that the subjects are divided into groups and children are free to choose subsets from a variety of options based on their preferences.
- Unlike CBSE, the IB board encourages concept-based learning rather than the typical textbook-based learning. There are no prescribed textbooks.
- It benefits students as they earn credits in the school itself, which helps them in college without having to go through basic courses again.
- This board focuses on the development of analytical, logical reasoning, and language skills which can offer a slight advantage to students in exams such as the SAT and the GRE. Additionally, it is also advantageous in building the profile, as there is a strong emphasis on extracurricular activities and social action. People who seek global skill development, flexibility, and an innovative approach to education can go for this board.
Cambridge Board
- Cambridge board is an umbrella term used for the curriculum that is formed by the Cambridge Assessment International Education (CAIE). The board provides education to the category of students from 5-19 years of age.
- The board is affiliated with the world-famous University of Cambridge and is recognized by schools all over the world.
- The medium of instruction and teaching in the Cambridge board is particularly English.
- In the Cambridge board curriculum, the students are offered to take up a minimum of 5 subjects and a maximum of 14 subjects. Having said that, English, Mathematics, and Science are the main subjects offered by the Cambridge board. A student has the option to opt for other subjects which range from Social Sciences Arts to Technology.
- The board encourages students to understand the concepts thoroughly and avoid learning by rote. The students apply concepts to real-world scenarios and case studies, which improves their analytical and critical thinking abilities.
- The board also prepares the students for Indian competitive exams such as NEET, UPSC, JEE, etc. It is often considered to have a focal point more on practical approaches which eventually allows students to focus on creative thinking and problem-solving.
- There are over 400 schools following the Cambridge board in India.
Conclusion
Choose CBSE if you are looking for a stress-free learning environment and a career in science and mathematics. Go for IB if you are interested in education with a truly international curriculum and a career in humanities and management. And opt for Cambridge if you are seeking excellent language skills and plan to go abroad, particularly the UK for higher education.