Knowledge is power, and education is progress. To empower your child with the right opportunities in the future, you have to select a curriculum that is credible and broad. But when different boards seem almost interchangeable, how exactly can you single out the best possible option?
To choose the right curriculum, you should list out the options available and consider the subject availability, curriculum content, school's affiliations & accreditation, and mid-study transferability. This will help you pick the curriculum that will prepare your children for the future.
In this article, you will learn how to choose the right curriculum step-by-step. After that, you will find a deep dive into the most popular boards alongside the subjects they offer, their respective recognition, and the implications of choosing them when it comes to higher education. Since this is the most comprehensive resource on the subject of curriculum selection, remember to bookmark it for future reference as well.
Curriculum choice might seem like a single step, which is why it can be daunting. But it is an umbrella decision that parents can take to help their kids become successful in school. To simplify curriculum choice, let's start with the first step of picking the right board.
Step 1
In any given country, there is at least one board with a set curriculum that at least one school subscribes to. In countries the size of continents like the US and India, curricula from multiple boards can be available. In globalized countries like the UAE and Canada, even international boards are accessible. And with online schools like the 21K School, multiple international and national board curricula are available for students.
By looking up the prospective boards, you can narrow down your options. This article does the work for you by rounding up all the major education boards in India, including internationally governed as well as internationally recognized ones.
Step 2
Even if you haven't chosen a curriculum, you probably have a broad idea regarding the subjects you want your ward to take up. Whether you want them to choose tech, business, medical, or architecture later on, you have to lay the foundations by choosing a curriculum that offers the building blocks.
Fortunately, most boards cover the essential subjects. However, there is a surprising variation between curricula in the optional subjects. In later sections of this post, you'll find specific subjects available within each board.
Step 3
Different boards have "English" as a subject. But the quality of the British IGCSE curriculum will be fathoms above that of an upstart board based in a non-English-speaking country. So, you should never look up the subject list and call it a day. Instead, you must look at past papers of the key subjects from each board to assess how deep each curriculum's substance is.
Step 4
When you are satisfied with the course content, you should check one more thing. The only thing more important than a parent's certainty regarding a board is the higher education institution's recognition of it. Fortunately, there is a major overlap here, with most parents being satisfied with the curricula that most universities recognize.
Ideally, you should pick the board that has the broadest recognition and transferability so that no life event can become a point of resistance. Your work is cut short as later sections go into the recognition and transferability of different boards.
Step 5
Once you have narrowed down the curricula that you are satisfied with and that universities are open to, you can pick any single one. There is no need to complicate the choice beyond subject availability, content, and recognition
So the next step should be choosing the right curriculum that's within your budget. If you feel like school prices in your area are bordering on extortion, check out 21K School, which is India's 1st Online School that is affiliated with major national and international boards.
Also read: How Online Education is Better than Classroom Education?
As mentioned earlier, a major step in choosing the curriculums is listing all the available options. Without knowing all the options, making an informed decision is nearly impossible. Some parents might look up CBSE vs. NIOS without knowing that Edexcel IGCSE can be an option. Others might search CIE vs. IGCSE without considering NIOS. In this section, we will cover each board as an option in detail. Let's get started with ICSE.
ICSE stands for Indian Certificate of Secondary Education, which is the 10th-grade exam governed by the CISCE board. CISCE is the Council for the Indian School Certificate Examinations. Even though the governing body of this curriculum is CISCE, the 10th-grade certificate (ICSE) is used in its place by most parents.
When your child is "studying under" ICSE, they're following the CISCE curriculum to get the ICSE. Therefore, it is better to say that your child is "studying for" ICSE or "under" CISCE. But should they be studying for ICSE? Let's find out.
As you can tell from the full form of ICSE, the certificate is backed by an Indian board. This can be an advantage on a national level but can have some limitations internationally. Since ICSE is often compared with its Indian counterpart, CBSE, it is worth knowing that institutions that accept CBSE internationally also accept ICSE.
With both the Indian boards having similar international recognition, the main point of difference is in the subjects. A university with architecture programs might not be as open to students with good grades in the Humanities.
Similarly, a university with a comprehensive literature program might not enroll in it someone with an exclusive track record in the sciences. Subjects at the school level are important in the doors that remain open for your ward when they choose a university degree.
ICSE is the 10th grade, while ICE is the 12th-grade certificate. Both are governed by the CISCE board. Since the subject options narrow down after the 10th grade, let's look at what one can study before giving the ICSE exam.
As you can see, the ICSE syllabus is well-rounded and diverse in its subject options. Some of the disciplines included in the syllabus might seem frivolous to some parents. But in reality, they can make children more interested in going to school. Moreover, soft-skills subjects can matter to universities.
Depending on the 12th-grade subjects, students can pick three main subjects in the 10th grade, and the rest can be supplementary subjects. With the right balance of soft-skill subjects, art subjects, and science subjects, a student can not only get a well-rounded education but can also have a better chance of getting accepted into a cultured university.
Not all ICSE subjects are offered at all schools, though. So you might need to hybridize your child's education between online education and in-person education for the collection of subjects you choose. If you are wondering if online education is better than classroom education, read our take on it. If you go the traditional route, the most adopted subjects in this curriculum are Mathematics, Computer Science, Hindi, Science, English, and Social Science. Most schools that offer ICSE education include these subjects in their syllabus. Yoga, Performing Arts, and similar subjects are not high enough on the priority list of conventional education's decision-makers.
Still, students can study the materials privately via self-study, online learning, or private tutors and give exams for said subjects. The additional subjects can help bump up your ward's profile for enrollment consideration.
As mentioned earlier, ICSE is the 10th-grade certificate under the CISCE curriculum. Universities look at the grades earned in the 12th grade (ICE). Fortunately, pretty much every international university that has an international equivalence model has room for students with a CISCE education.
Students who stick with the CISCE curriculum even after the 10th grade can ironically find their options limited in India. Many universities accept ICSE but require state board certificates at the 12th-grade level. This makes the transferability of the curriculum past the 10th grade all the more important.
ICSE has the broadest transferability in Indian college education. Because the ICSE syllabus is huge, students who get good grades in 10th grade under its curriculum can not just enroll in an alternative board for 12th grade but can also perform well because of their background education.
The main transfer problems can occur after the 10th grade if you don't continue with a state board or the initial board. CBSE schools are quite strict with admitting only CBSE grade 10 graduates. If you have moved and can't find an ICSE continuation up to the 12th grade, you can submit an application with the proof of moving. Alternatively, you can continue with the same board via an ICSE-affiliate online school. Moving from an ICSE or CBSE certification to an 11th or 12th grade in a British or American curriculum is much harder.
ICSE's core value is respect for all subjects regardless of their immediate economic demand. This equips students to be the most informed versions of themselves that they can be. Parents who enroll their kids for ICSE exams believe that their children should think about jobs later on and must focus on becoming knowledgeable humans at least until the 10th grade.
ICSE is accepted in the UK with equivalence to Higher School Qualifications for a few universities, including the University of Scotland.
ICSE is valid in Canada, as Canadian universities have equivalence models for Indian education. As long as one has a 12th-grade certificate from an Indian board, one can apply to a Canadian university.
ICSE is recognized by several universities in the US. American universities with equivalence models for Indian education accept ICSE and 12th-grade certificates from respected boards in India.
Some universities in the UAE might not accept Indian school certificates. But most universities in the country have generous equivalence for ICSE/CISCE and CBSE certificates.
CBSE is an abbreviation for the Central Board of Secondary Education. This board's curriculum is considered broader than that of state boards but more focused in favor of economically viable sciences. Parents who want their kids to go the traditional career route prefer CBSE because of its transferability as well as its accessibility. But just like any board or curriculum, geographic relevance is the starting point.
CBSE is the Indian central board that governs a curriculum up to the 12th grade. Its first certificate is for the 10th grade, after which students can transfer to a board most likely to help them get into specific universities.
When compared to CISCE, CBSE is considered to be the more career-focused board. Still, its subject availability is quite broad at the grade-10 level. The higher secondary education level has fewer options, though.
As a result of its science-focused curriculum, the CBSE background has a lot of weight in a specific section of academia. CBSE students might find it easier to get into universities with flagship programs in technical and scientific fields. It isn't that these universities favor CBSE students. It is just that CBSE students are better equipped to pass their respective entry tests. That said, the key determinant of a student's success in higher education is the subjects one chooses and the grades one gets.
CBSE has a broad range of subjects but a very narrow adoption range lopsided in favor of mathematics and biology. This is likely a reflection of the demands of parents who plan a medical or engineering career for their children. However, CBSE schools focusing more on Maths and Science shouldn't be seen as a sign of CBSE being narrow.
Here are the key subjects in the CBSE syllabus.
With mathematics and sciences being adopted disproportionately, CBSE education seems to have followed suit. You'll have an easy time finding a mathematics tutor for a CBSE exam. But if you want a Political Science tutor, you'll have to find a remote education solution. Conventional schools haven't maximized the learning opportunities in the CBSE syllabus.
Online learning schools like 21K School are creating an alternative learning culture for education where CBSE students can learn not just Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry, and Biology but also Creative Writing, Home Science, and Information Practices.
CBSE has broad recognition across the globe. Still, there are a few issues in transferability when one attempts to move from an Indian 10th grade to a foreign 12th grade. These issues are persistent in CBSE as well as ICSE. Overall, CBSE's recognition is as broad as that of CISCE. As long as one picks the right subjects for the intended higher secondary education and higher education, one will be able to navigate across institutions with ease.
As mentioned earlier, most CBSE schools automate the subject selection, so even without customizing anything, you can rest assured that your ward is on the right path to higher education. Ivy league universities have been admitting students with CBSE as well as ICSE backgrounds. That's because of well-established equivalence models that allow the transfer of CBSE grades to the scoring system used for admission.
CBSE is a safe curriculum choice that has no transferability issues after grade 12. It also has no transfer problems from the 10th-grade to the 11th-grade state boards. CBSE to CISCE transfers are easier than the inverse. CBSE schools often require an application indicating that a family has moved and is continuing in a CBSE school because of the inability to continue with the initial board past ICSE.
Even harder are transfers from an Indian grade 10 certificate to a British 12h grade certificate attempt. Your ward is better off continuing with the same board because you can enroll in international universities with a 12th-grade CBSE certificate.
The core values of CBSE are to cultivate an environment where students can feel emotionally, socially, and intellectually fulfilled. How well these values reflect in the actual education depends on the school. Some schools focus entirely on subjects that can look good in the institution's own record.
Some focus too much on preparing students for university admission instead of developing them in accordance with their board's values. If you choose a school that embodies CBSE's mission to inspire learning across physical, emotional, social, and intellectual aspects, your child will grow up to be a positive, impactful individual.
CBSE is accepted in the UK with multiple equivalence models. Almost all equivalence models penalize non-British systems slightly, so your child's A might count as a B+ in some UK universities' books.
CBSE is valid in Canada, and there are no significant penalties in the score conversion. Indian 12th graders can start looking up universities in Canada.
The presence of CBSE schools in the US should be enough evidence for the fact that this curriculum is valid in the States. US universities have equivalence models to accommodate applicants with CBSE background.
CBSE is valid in UAE universities that accept Indian certifications. Most universities in the UAE have score transfer models to carry out equivalence calculations for CBSE graduates.
NIOS, or National Institute of Open Schooling, is an education board established by the union government of India. It used to bear the title of "National Open School" up until 2002, after which the name was changed to its current one.
This board is different from other education boards operating in India in two key ways. Firstly, it has been government-established and backed since 1989. Secondly, it is an institute as well as a board. In other words, it is an institute that has its own curriculum. But unlike most schools, it has 7,400 centers spread all over India, UAE, Oman, Kuwait, Nepal, Saudi Arabia, Australia, and other countries. This curriculum is also available in accredited online schools like 21K School.
As an autonomous organization, the institute ensures uniformity across thousands of its centers via a unified syllabus and exams. Even though the exams take place simultaneously in multiple countries, they are set in the board's country of origin.
The National Institute of Open schooling was established in India, though its centers have spread to every country with a significant enough NRI population. Aside from India, NIOS study centers and examination opportunities can be found in the following countries:
From the fact that NIOS is a federally-backed education curriculum, it must be evident that the subject selection for its curriculum is quite utilitarian. It is the only board that offers technical education after the 10th grade to students who plan to pursue trade jobs.
The main NIOS curriculum includes the following subjects:
The most adopted subjects in the NIOS curriculum are essential ones like Mathematics, Science, and key language subjects. Parents who enroll their children to study under this government-backed curriculum are looking for a conventional education ladder that ultimately ends in a good university.
NIOS is legitimized by the Union Government of India and is therefore recognized by regional boards as well as international universities. Most universities that accept CBSE and CISCE certificates accept a NIOS background as well. Going from NIOS secondary certificate to higher secondary education in CBSE or CISCE can be hard. This, however, isn't a matter of recognition but that of transferability.
NIOS has low inter-board transferability but broad intra-board transferability. You can literally move countries and find a NIOS center nearby for your child to continue their education. However, if you're transferring a 10th-grade NIOS graduate to a CBSE or CISCE school, you will face resistance. The NIOS syllabus isn't as broad as the CISCE or CBSE one. Moreover, no national board can ensure a 100% reliable score transfer between 10th graders of competing boards.
NIOS has a very economical approach to Indian education system, as it was founded to develop the human resource potential of India. The key values of NIOS, therefore, include making education accessible to people of all income classes. Parents who choose NIOS understand the economic viability of board-backed education.
NIOS is accepted in the UK, where multiple universities have equivalence charts to accommodate NIOS higher secondary grades. However, there are no NIOS-backed 11th or 12th-grade opportunities in the country.
So, if your ward has finished NIOS grade 12, then he can continue his education in the UK. But if they have a grade 10 certificate only, they will need to give local equivalent exams to get into a UK-recognized grade 11. That's because there aren't NIOS study centers in the UK.
NIOS is valid in Canada but for only a few universities. Most universities that accept CBSE and CISCE students do not accept NIOS graduates. An equivalent exam can be given in Canada for university admission, though.
There are also no NIOS centers in Canada, so a 10th-grade graduate certificate holder doesn't have significant opportunities to continue learning in Canada. If you plan to move to Canada eventually, NIOS is not the right curriculum choice.
Universities in the US accept NIOS. There are also NIOS study centers in the US, so a 10th-grade certificate holder doesn't have to switch boards by giving entry exams.
Since the USA is a large country, you might not be near a NIOS study center. Still, your ward can engage in online learning and give exams at the nearest NIOS center. NIOS curriculum is great for parents looking to move to the US as well as students who plan to go to American universities.
NIOS is valid in the UAE, where American universities, Indian universities, and select local universities accept its 12th-grade certificates in relevant subjects.
The UAE also has multiple NIOS study centers and examination opportunities. So, if you move to the country before or immediately after your ward passes their 10th grade, you don't have to worry about their education being interrupted.
CIE stands for Cambridge International Examination, which is a British curriculum that covers pre-degree studies and examinations. It is often called the "Cambridge curriculum," which is a shorthand for CIE. The main differentiator that sets CIE apart from CBSE, ICSE, and NIOS is its country of origin.
CIE is held in high regard because of its British academic roots. Its main competitor is Edexcel, which also holds Grade 10, 11, and 12 exams in its centers. CIE examination centers are found all over the world, and the board has one of the broadest transferability and recognition in the world.
Almost all countries that previously or currently belong to the commonwealth consider CIE background candidates more seriously for government jobs and relevant higher education opportunities. Whether one's looking to pursue a conventional career or a new field of work, one can find relevant subjects in the CIE curriculum.
From music to agriculture and geography to accounting, the CIE curriculum is broad on the IGCSE as well as the IGCE levels. Here are the subjects your ward can give exams for within a CIE curriculum.
While there are plenty of subjects for which CIE holds exams, most schools stick to conventional subjects in their curricula. So, before you choose a school, make sure to check which CIE subjects they have adopted. Most often, the subjects include mathematics, chemistry, physics, biology, and economics.
CIE has the broadest recognition, with almost all the universities in the world accepting its IGCSE and subsequent IGCE certificates. Universities in the US, England, UAE, and India accept the CIE background. Even inter-board transfers are easier, which equivalency models and quality control that CIE has.
Your ward can transfer mid-studies between CIE and Edexcel schools as long as they have not passed the 10th grade. Students with a CIE background can also transfer to CBSE schools pre-examination. But after they pass the 10th grade, they must stick with CIE up to the 12th grade.
CIE asserts that it holds excellence as its highest ideal, which it plans to uphold with passion, integrity, faith, courage, and strength of character. Practically speaking, CIE stands as a body with integrity with a very valuable stamp of approval. It shares knowledge regarding different subjects and gives its stamp to students who truly prove themselves.
CIE is an international board that is accepted by almost all universities in the UK. Whether you move to the UK or within the UK mid-studies, your ward's education opportunities will not be restricted because of their CIE enrollment.
CIE is valid for over 50 Canadian universities. If you have a specific university that you want to go to, then you should check whether it accepts CIE scores before giving the 10th-grade exam for Cambridge IGCSE.
CIE is accepted by over 450 institutions in the US. However, not all American universities accept CIE scores. Students who plan to apply to an American university that doesn't accept CIE scores can give the GED exams. After that, they can enroll in that university's foundation program.
More UAE universities accept CIE than CBSE, ICSE, and NIOS. If one wants to apply for a specific university, then checking CIE validity with its admissions department is highly recommended.
While CIE is often called "Cambridge" Edexcel is often called IGCSE. This can be confusing because the International General Certificate of Secondary Education (IGCSE) is a 10th-grade certificate backed by a British board. There is a Cambridge IGCSE and an Edexcel IGCSE. In this section, we will go over the Edexcel board's curriculum.
Pearson's offers IGCSE and IAL learning materials, exam papers, and marking services under its Edexcel brand. The curriculum is internationally valid and is held in high regard because of its British origin.
Edexcel is a subbrand of Person's, which is a publishing and examination company in London. The Edexcel board is seen as the golden standard in pre-degree studies. Schools that have a "British education" or "British curriculum" are either affiliated with Edexcel or with CIE. Both boards have a similar subject range.
Edexcel has a breadth of subjects, though its most adopted ones are conventional subjects like Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry, and Biology. Especially with the AS and A levels (10th and 11th grade), the subject adoption in standard schools can be very narrow. The list of subjects below shows that there's more to Edexcel than the pre-medical subject stack and pre-engineering stack.
Edexcel board is recognized by most universities that accept CIE and all universities that accept CBSE, ICSE, and NIOS certifications. Edexcel O, AS, and A levels create the perfect foundation for higher education. One can also enroll in foundation courses at many British universities with just the O-level certification, which reduces the number of pre-university education years.
Edexcel IGCSE has high transferability even before advanced levels. A 10th-grade graduate with an Edexcel background can join most universities that have foundation programs. With the 12th grade certificate from Edexcel, your ward can go to almost any university given that he has the right grades in relevant subjects.
Edexcel's key value is to hold up a standard for certification that sets its certificate-holders apart. Its curriculum design, examination papers, and marking system all focus on developing students with a deep understanding of relevant subject areas. The board gives the best grades to those who deserve the Edexcel stamp of approval.
Edexcel is a British board and is, therefore, as widely accepted in the UK as CBSE is in India.
Edexcel IGCSE and IAL are accepted by many Canadian universities. Compared to CIE, the recognition of Edexcel background is far more prevalent in Canada.
Edexcel IGCSE and IAL certifications are valid in almost all major American universities, including Yale and Columbia. The IGCSE alone won't get you into a university in America or anywhere else in the world, as it is a 10th-grade certificate.
Edexcel IGCSE is valid in the UAE, and there are multiple Edexcel exam centers in the country. So whether you plan to move to the UAE mid-studies or for higher education, you can enroll in an Edexcel-affiliated school.
By now, you know which subjects are offered in each curriculum. You also understand the extent to which different boards are recognized. While some schools, like the 21K School, have multiple board affiliations, most schools have only two choices.
Schools usually have one domestic and one international board affiliation. If you are in a situation where you have to pick between two boards, this section will help you. It compares two boards at a time and covers all the curricula mentioned earlier.
ICSE is broader than CBSE and emphasizes all subjects equally. Those pursuing soft-skills, humanities, and non-technical career paths choose ICSE, while engineering, medical, and conventional occupation aspirants pick CBSE.
NIOS and ICSE have equal recognition domestically as well as internationally. However, Senior School NIOS features more employment-driven and skill-based education, while ICSE has an intellectually broad curriculum.
ICSE is not recognized by as many universities as CIE, which is a British board. CIE or Cambridge might have broader recognition because of its British origins, but it is not objectively superior to ICSE in its exam or curriculum content.
ICSE isn't as widely recognized as an Edexcel IGCSE. Edexcel is one of the most widely recognized boards in the world. ICSE subject adoption is broader than Edexcel. Schools offering Edexcel curriculum usually include conventional subjects only.
CBSE curriculum content is better for traditional education than NIOS, while NIOS content is better for a budget education that covers all bases.
Also read: Lower Costs Are Making More Students Prefer Online Education
CBSE is not regarded as highly as a Cambridge IGCSE. CIE has better recognition in India, UAE, and America while CBSE has wider recognition in Canada.
Edexcel is recognized by more universities than CBSE. It is also seen as having higher academic merit, though this could be simply because of its British origins.
CIE is recognized by more universities than NIOS. There are more CIE examination centers in western countries, and it opens more doors internationally.
NIOS is not as recognized as an Edexcel IGCSE, which is a British board-backed certificate. In the west, NIOS doesn't open as many doors as Edexcel certificates.
Edexcel beats CIE American and Canadian recognition, with more universities accepting the former. CIE and Edexcel have a similar degree of recognition in England, India, and the gulf countries like the UAE and KSA.
Curriculum selection is a process that requires research and reflection. But as long as you shortlist your options, check the subjects they offer, and assess the depth of the education materials and past papers, you will find your clear winner. Before enrolling your ward in one of the boards covered in this post, make sure to check whether it is recognized by the specific universities in which you want them to attend.
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