The Board
Right from the time when a child starts his/her academics, the dilemma of choosing the board of education becomes a prime concern for parents. The choice of board makes a significant difference in the early development of the child and his/her exposure to the kind of education system that we have. There are different boards of education catering to the academic sector in India, and these are CBSE (Central Board of Secondary Education) and ICSE (Indian Certificate of Secondary Education) and respective state boards. Choosing the right board is essential because this can play a significant role in the student’s future.
The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) is the main board of education and also the most preferred boards in India for school level education. The board conducts two examinations — the All India Secondary School Examination, AISSE (Class X) and the All India Senior School Certificate Examination, AISSCE (Class XII).
A number of private schools have started to offer CBSE since a lot of private sector employees are also moving from place to place. The CBSE syllabus is very structured, highly predictable and controlled. CBSE syllabus follows the national curriculum along with additional subject matter. The Board grants affiliation to Schools up to higher secondary level and develops common curriculum keeping nationwide requirements in focus. The affiliation is considered as a prestigious recognition as it requires the schools to follow rigid quality standards.
Maintains uniformity
CBSE is recognized by the NCERT (National Council of Educational Research and Training) with the aim to operate a chain of central schools (Kendriya Vidyalaya) that could cater to the government employees who are in transferable jobs. CBSE is affiliated to a large number of schools all over India. The board allows both regular candidates, who study in CBSE schools, as well as private candidates from non-affiliated schools to appear in the exams. With a centralised education system that controlled by one apex body, CBSE maintains uniformity among all the students across India. A certificate from the Central Board of Education is recognized throughout the country, in all colleges and academic centres.
Follows a compact structure
The CBSE syllabus is easier when compared to that of other boards, mainly due to fewer subjects and a more compact structure. Secondary subjects like Environmental Education are not compulsory under the CBSE syllabus. The subjects of Physics, Chemistry and Biology fall under the general umbrella of Science, and History, Geography and Civics fall under the spectrum of Social Sciences.
A certificate from the Central Board of Education is recognized throughout the country, in all colleges and academic centres. The syllabus is more application based under CBSE, as the board follows a concentric curriculum.
Medium of Instruction
CBSE approves both English and Hindi language as the medium of instructions. CBSE board prescribes a certain teaching approach and have undergone a significant change over the past 10 years. The focus has majorly increased on learning through experience and experimentation rather than through one-way teaching.
Competitive exams, a priority.
The Central Board of Secondary Education is also responsible for conducting the JEE (Main) examination, which serves as an entrance exam for admission to the various undergraduate engineering courses. Call it a perception or a mere belief, parents in the city are increasingly opting for CBSE curriculum to ensure their kids are best prepared for competitive examinations. All national entrance examinations are conducted as per this syllabus.
Opting for a CBSE school has its own share of pros, and the biggest advantage is that all major competitive examinations in India are based on the CBSE syllabus. These examinations include the Joint Entrance Examination (JEE-mains), and the All India Pre Medical Test (AIPMT).
The CBSE also conducts certain important examinations like AIEEE “ All India Engineering Entrance Examination and the All India Pre-Medical/Pre-Dental Entrance Examination also.
The Central Board of Secondary Education is also responsible for conducting the AIEEE examination, which serves as an entrance exam for admission to the various undergraduate engineering courses.
Going global
The CBSE is the main apex board which is not only having a pan Indian jurisdiction but also has global presence with nearly 141 affiliated schools across 21 countries. CBSE board being recognised worldwide, it becomes easier for students to go abroad and pursue their studies from foreign universities. With an increasing number of schools going 'international' worldwide, the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) has created a Foreign Schools Cell (FSC) which will ensure that CBSE schools outside India are given the right academic and administrative support. CBSE also has the benefit of a desirable status with International universities. For proof one can see CBSE Schools in operation in Singapore, Russia, Africa and Middle East. If a student longs to study abroad, that won’t be a hindrance, given the fact that CBSE is an internationally recognised board.
Child Eccentric approach
We can say that CBSE is a learning experience which works with a vision of the overall development of a student by synchronizing its academics with various extra-curricular activities which may enhance the student’s skill set. The board is extremely focused on Science and Mathematics with a lot of attention paid to the application of knowledge.
CBSE’s education structure allows you to study rigorously and develop skills at the same time.
It provides basic and general knowledge required for a child to move forward in terms of education.
It provides online education system to help those students who face different problems. They can easily get study material online and also get advice from experienced teachers.
To foster a variety of academic and nonacademic knowledge, skills and abilities, which may help students in successful transition from high school to college.
Devising a student friendly study pattern by introducing effective innovations in teaching and learning methodologies.
Improvement in examinations and evaluation processes to deliver fair results.
Promote the skill learning among students by adding job-oriented inputs.
Conducting various service training programmes and workshops on regular basis so as to update the instructive skills of the teachers and administrators.
The CBSE carries out continuous research and development for the advancement of the academic standards in the country. It has recently introduced the Grading system based on continuous and comprehensive evaluation (CCE).