Choosing the Right School Board for Your Child - CBSE, ICSE, SSC or IB

chillibreeze writer — Janhavi Lakshminarayanan

>> read more

Thirteen years ago, we moved to the USA with just two big suitcases. Life was simpler for newlyweds then. Ten years later, when we moved back to India, it was with a large 20ft container, four large suitcases and two children!

We realized that now we have to take life-changing decisions not only for ourselves, but also for two others. Suddenly a simple thing such as enrolling our 5-year old son in a school became a daunting task. Just like all parents, we plunged into finding the “right school” for our son.

>> Read more

The state schools (SSC) system had changed for the better. We found many of them with well-equipped libraries and laboratories, smart teachers and students. Best of all was that they were affordable by all! But the state board syllabus seemed very different from what we had seen in the USA. It seemed that a child who has attended school abroad would find it very difficult to adapt to this syllabus.

The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) schools looked promising. Many new and old schools offered good facilities, teachers and teaching methodologies. They imbibe the Montessori methods in the early years and gradually transition the child to the traditional methods of learning. We were able to pick the school which suited our son the best in terms of cleanliness, peers, teaching methodology and affordability.

The Indian Certificate of Secondary Education (ICSE) schools are similar to the CBSE ones. But the syllabus is more comprehensive and vast. The child would have to study varied subjects at a greater detail in higher classes. Otherwise, the facilities and co-curricular activities in these schools were comparable to CBSE schools.

Finally, we visited the schools following the International Baccalaureate (IB) curriculum. Since this is a recent trend in India, the schools are new with sprawling premises. The curriculum is more practical than theoretical. The child is allowed to learn in an open environment. Assessments are based on the quality of work rather than the quantity. This school system is ideal for any child. But the fees structure in these schools is as high as Rs.250,000.

If you are a returning NRI with children and facing a similar dilemma, consider the following factors first.

1. Your child's age
2. Affordability
3. Duration of your stay in India
4. Place of stay
5. Is your job transferable?

For most young children, CBSE would be the ideal choice of school board. The schooling system as well as the syllabus is similar to those followed abroad. At the elementary level, children have very less difficulty in adjusting to this board. The only support the child needs will be in learning the second language. If your job is transferable within India, then opt for Hindi, as it is available all over the country. The central board schools ease children into the mainstream and also prepare them to face the competitive exams at college level such as IIT, Engineering and Medical etc.

The CBSE schools are also affordable for most returning Indians. They are mushrooming everywhere and the fee structure is varied. So you could pick one that suits your needs. With a growing population of returning NRIs and the popular choice being the CBSE schools, there’s a good chance that your child may have many peers with the same background. Remember, it is also important for the child to make friends and enjoy school!

For children in middle and high school, the best choice would be the IB schools. These schools offer a syllabus, campus and environment similar to the schools abroad. These children are older and hence need a strong support system to adapt. Most IB schools have an open culture and provide various co-curricular activities.

If you plan to stay in India only for a few years, consider the IB school for your child. This will be ideal in terms of switching between the two countries.

But if you are moving to a smaller city where there are no good IB schools, you may have to opt for the ICSE or CBSE schools. Even in small towns, the ICSE schools promote foreign languages such as English, French and German. So the children may not face the difficulty of learning another second language.

Many recognized schools offering ICSE or CBSE boards have developed their own innovative teaching and evaluating methods. Schools such as Krishnamurti Foundation and GEAR Foundation schools, are very different from the traditional schools.

I’m glad that I made a decision for my son based on these same factors. Today, after 3 years of moving back to India, I still say that it is the right school for him. He has happily settled down and his sister has invariably followed him.

I wish you all the best with your decision! In this land of expanding education systems, you are sure to find the right choice for your little one!

 

Chillibreeze's disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author(s) and do not reflect the views of Chillibreeze as a company. Chillibreeze has a strict anti-plagiarism policy. Please contact us to report any copyright issues related to this article.

Out of 5 “chilies”, our editorial team gave this article...

 

---

—About our writer: Janhavi writes for chillibreeze.

>> Read more articles written by Chillibreeze writers:

1. Articles related to Content and Outsourcing
2. NRI and Expat Articles
3. Potpourri
4. Travel Writing
5. Book Reviews and Interviews