Education is very important in every child’s life. Why? It is what shapes them into who they will become in the future. Education is one of the basics for survival, especially in today’s competitive world. Education is what prepares children to face the world on a regular basis as they grow and reach the various stages in the human lifecycle. Hence it is important for every parent to ensure that their child obtains the best available education. In India, there are 3 main education boards to choose from: the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE), the Indian Certificate of Secondary Education (ICSE), and the State Board.
Difference between CBSE, ICSE and State Boards- Which board to choose for the child’s bright future
These 3 education boards are most widely implemented across India. They have their own set of merits and demerits. Which of the three should you choose? How do they differ from each other? If these are the questions that are bugging you, then don’t worry! This article is specially created to help you understand their differences and determine which of the three boards of education will be the best option for your child.
Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE)
The most common board of education in India is the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE). The Central Board of Secondary Education is the Indian brand ambassador for the education system. The Central Board of Secondary Education is governed by the National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT), which sets the syllabus.
The CBSE curriculum is available in two languages only: English and Hindi. Nevertheless, the syllabus will be the same throughout the country. The Central Board of Secondary Education is known to mold students and prepare them for competitive exams like NEET and JEE. What’s more? CBSE adopts an application or practical based learning model such that education is more application driven rather than being simply theoretical. The CBSE offers 7 areas of study to focus on: Humanities, Mathematics, Science and technology, Health and Physical Education, Visual and Performing Arts and Commerce.
Pros:
- Advanced educational system
- Same syllabus across all states
- Available in both English and Hindi
- Prepares students for competitive exams
- Application oriented learning
Cons:
- Uses activities to understand theoretical concepts but fails to thoroughly explain real life concepts
- More focused on science and mathematics, English and other subjects are do not receive same importance
- Not as successful in rural areas due to limiting medium of instruction only to English or Hindi (instead of adopting regional language)
Indian Certificate of Secondary Education (ICSE)
Another top board of education is the Indian Certificate of Secondary Education (ICSE). The Indian Certificate of Secondary Education was established by the Local Examinations Syndicate of the University of Cambridge. What’s truly special about ICSE is that it does not support Hindi as a medium of instruction and instead adopts English as the sole medium of instruction. What’s more? It opts for a radically different curriculum than CBSE (which may share some similarities with other boards of education in India).
In fact, the Indian Certificate of Secondary Education is more geared towards preparing students for the global context. Students under ICSE are more capable of competing with other curriculums across the world which makes them more qualified for International Competitive Exams, education abroad and career abroad. At the end of 10th, students have to face the ICSE examination; after 12th, they have to prepare for the Indian School Certificate (ISC) examination.
Pros:
- Equal importance to all subjects
- ICSE certification is recognized all over the world
- Prepares students for international competitive exams like TOEFL and GRE
- Comprehensive and detailed syllabus
- More inclined towards studying real life ideas and applying theoretical concepts
Cons:
- Not as successful in rural areas due to limiting medium of instruction only to English (instead of adopting national/regional language)
- The syllabus is very challenging and has higher level of difficulty
State Board
The State Board is run by each state government. To be more specific, its curriculum and functioning is formed and regulated, respectively, by each state government’s Department of Education. This means that the State Board syllabus differs in each state, however it is mostly based on NCERT recommendations and may share a few similarities with the CBSE curriculum. It is more popular due to it adopting the particular state’s regional language as the medium of instruction. But the State Board is also available with English as the medium of instruction. The State Board curriculum aims to make education available, accessible and affordable to all of the state’s students. Hence it adopts a more basic syllabus that is aimed at increasing the literacy rate of each state.
Pros:
- More available, accessible and affordable to all (especially in rural areas)
- Aims to increase literacy rate
- Adopts regional language of each state as the medium of instruction
- Syllabus is more easy than other boards of education
- Shares similarities with curriculum of Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE)
Cons:
- Basic syllabus that is not as comprehensive or challenging as that of other boards of education
- Inherently theoretical in nature (lacks practical approach to learning and understanding real life concepts)
- Fails to prepare students for competitive exams
Which is the best board of education for students in India?
Each of the 3 boards of education come with their own set of merits and demerits. They each serve different purposes. It is here where parents need to spend more time to choose the curriculum that they think will best suit their child. For parents who are not able to afford ICSE and CBSE, the State Board curriculum is a good choice; besides, the state government offers benefits for State Board students which ICSE and CBSE students do not enjoy. CBSE curriculum is best suited for students aspiring for central government jobs or those who need to crack national competitive exams. For parents who can afford making higher investments in the education of their child and those who wish for their children to pursue higher education or career abroad, then ICSE curriculum is the best choice.
I have studies in CBSE board. The difference you have mentioned are very true. What you have written about ICSE and State Board, is exactly what my friends say who have either studies in these boards r whose kids are currently studying.
So informative and detailed article. My brother is studying in CBSE board. Will share this post with him as well as my all cousins. Thank you so much.
For me none of the boards are perfect in anyway. I just get speechless when I see in literature subjects like English how can one get 100 on 100 in ICSE and CBSE. Even the best literature laurate of the world will agree that its not possible. Showoff is too much in both these boards and majority just forget their mother toungue and consider English as only smart language to talk even at home or in family gettogether. In short none of the boards are 100% perefct according to me.
I have studied CBSE board and points you have mentioned here are correct about them. This will help many to choose the best for their kids. Nice one.
This is a very informative and detailed post on the difference between all the boards. this is quite useful for parents who are planning on enrolling kids for grade 1 or later on as well.
Interesting read for someone not from India. Truly education is something very important any part of the world. The world won’t be a better one in the future without us preparing the children of today with great education.
I was about to write about the same topic. As parents, we are concerned when it comes to choosing a board for our kids. Glad you have shared this topic. Now most parents will know the difference
This is very informative . Last year I was very confused between CBSE and ICSE board while we are looking for my son’s school admission. Thank you
Very good information. I got it. And well writing. This is so useful nice. I will share it. Thank you so much for sharing and informing this ???
Every board has its pros and cons. Being a mother of two kids, this post hAs been enlightening for me. ThAnks for sharing.
Hei dear, what you hvae mentioned it’s completely true… really it is a helpful article for me as my nephew is getting admitted. I will share with my brother..all pro’s and con’s are real as we faced the same from govt school.
Its a very informative post for new parents to read. But you havent mention I.B. Board/ Cambridge boar. I also wanted more information on that?