ICSE Board VS other Boards

A Scientific Comparison

Genesis: Reflects the focus on English LanguageICS

EStarted as Overseas Cambridge school Certificate Examination (English) before Independence By British Government based in UK

Maulana Abdul Kalam Azad, Minister of Education, Govt. of India initiated Indianisation of the examination in 1952

Indian Council to administer the University of Cambridge, Local Examinations Syndicate's Examination in India in 1956

Council for Indian School Certificate Examination (CISCE) is formed in 1958 to conducted English only examinations

OthersCBSE started as Uttar Pradesh Board of High School & Intermediate Education in 1921 in Hindi Belt

In 1929, it was renamed as Board of High School & Intermediate Education

It was renamed as Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) in 1952 for primarily Hindi & English later Other regional boards TN Board (1910), WB Board (1951), Andhra Board(1953), Maharashtra Board(1965), Haryana Board(1969) came to meet rising aspirations of regional languages

Location: Reflects the ExclusivityICSELarge numbers are located in

urban and industrial centres based on the people’s aspirations for quality education

Less than 2000 schools

Maximum English medium schools in metropolis such as Bangalore, Hyderabad Kolkata, Lucknow and Mumbai are ICSE affiliated

States with high industrial complexes such as Jharkhand, Orissa and Punjab have high number of ICSE schools

Others

Large numbers are located in semi-urban and rural hinterland as government’s initiative to promote education among masses

More than 2,00,000 schools

English medium schools with regional bias in metropolises such as Delhi(Hindi) and Chennai(Tamil) are ‘others’ affiliated Bulk of semi-urban and urban Hindi heartland is affiliated to CBSE other than regional state boards

Curriculum: Reflects Modernity & Global Aspirations ICS

EStrong foundation in English, Mathematics & Sciences

Many choices in secondary (Class X) and senior secondary examinations (Class XII)

High value options such as Computer Applications, Engineering Graphics, Biotechnology & Fashion Designing give a head start to students in their career

Foreign language options such as French, German, Thai, Chinese etc. lend a global touch

Wide international recognition early on

OthersStrong foundation in Hindi and Regional Languages other than Mathematics & Sciences – schooling for masses

Few choices in both classes X & XII

Introduction of Career related courses is a recent phenomenon and that too in class XI & XII Foreign language options such as French, German, Thai, Chinese etc have been recent

International recognition for admissions to foreign schools / colleges in UK only last year

Examination: Prepares the Horse for the RaceICS

EIn-depth Class X examination is compulsory to initiate competitiveness at an early date

High emphasis on English throughout and rigorous examinations

Good grounding in Science & Mathematics in class X

Students learn to compete early in life – makes a solid foundation for the life ahead

Prepares for foreign examinations such as SAT, TOEFL, GMAT, CAT etc. other than regular Engg. & Medical Competitions

OthersClass X examination is not compulsory in CBSE & standards are varying in regional boards

Low emphasis on English and relatively easy examinations Very few chapters are there for science & mathematics for class X (CBSE)

Students join competitive life late and therefore less prepared

Prepares well for Engineering and Medical competitions only

Schools: Best of the breed trains the best studentsICS

ETop class schools like Doon School, Dehradun, St. Paul’s, Darjeeling, Mayo College, Ajmer, La Martiniere, Kolkata & Rishi Valley, Chittor & many more are all ICSE schools

ICSE is the first preference for corporates venturing into schools ex. Dhirubhai Ambani International School, Mumbai; Sarla Birla, Bangalore; Ramadevi Public School, Hyderabad, Modern High, Kolkata

Most of the dedicated missionary schools are affiliated to ICSE

ICSE has urban niche footprint

OthersDAV and DPS represent large CBSE chain schools other than Government initiated Kendriya Vidyalayas, Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalayas and recent model schools

CBSE is the first preference for Army, Airforce and Navy as all Army Schools, Airforce Schools are affiliated to CBSE

Most of the state government schools are affiliated to state boards

CBSE & State Boards have a mix of urban, semi-urban and rural mass footprint