How Important is the Curriculum for your Child’s Education? Take a Look at how DPS GBN’s Curriculum is Unlocking Students’ Potential

Choosing the right school for a child is no easy task for parents today. With so many educational schools vying for attention, the search for the perfect school often feels overwhelming. Every parent wants more than just good grades for their child—they want an environment that develops creativity, personal growth, and critical thinking. One key factor that plays a significant role in shaping a student’s future is the curriculum.

Research shows that children learn better in structured environments. They perform 10-20% better in cognitive skills and have improved problem-solving abilities compared to those in unstructured settings. Parents need to keep this in mind when choosing a school because a good curriculum is important for their child’s learning journey.

Delhi Public School (DPS), Gautam Buddh Nagar, is a prime example of a school that recognizes the importance of adopting a well-rounded and progressive curriculum. Affiliated with the CBSE board, DPS ensures that students receive a blend of theoretical knowledge and practical learning. 

In this article, we will take a look at the importance of curriculum, and the different boards while also looking at how DPS GBN, one of the best schools in Noida, ensures that its curriculum is aimed at the total development of students.

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What is a Curriculum? 

In simple terms, a curriculum is a set of practices adopted by the school that is designed to confer the best learning experience possible to the students. The curriculum of a school is mostly a combination of planned instructions that contribute to the totality of a student’s learning experience. That is, curricula (plural of curriculum) can also be understood as a prescribed course of study that students acquire at different levels of the educational process.

Curriculum and Parents’ Dilemma

Parents are bound to be worried about even the smallest of things when it comes to making important life choices for their children. Consider education, for instance. In the process of choosing a school to get their child admitted to, parents fret about several aspects of the school, be it the learning environment, approach to learning, focus on student safety, emphasis on holistic development, and so on. 

When it comes to the curriculum of a school, parents are further tasked with determining whether the curriculum or board of education that the school is affiliated with will be able to cater to the learning needs of their child. This worry stems from the fact that there are several eminent boards of education to choose from. Each of these is equally advanced on its own, but also different from each other in several aspects, thus making the parents apprehensive about choosing one.

Eminent Curricula/Boards in India

India alone has several esteemed boards of education that schools are affiliated with. Each of these boards has diverse curricula, each unique and advanced, focusing on the overall improvement of children. 

The three most eminent and popular boards that schools are affiliated with are:

• CBSE (Central Board of Secondary Education)
• IB (International Baccalaureate)
• ICSE (Indian Certificate of Secondary Education)

Let us have a detailed look at what each of these boards and their curricula comprise. 

Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE)

First established in 1929, the Central Board of Secondary Education operates under the umbrella of the Government of India. CBSE is one of the most popular and common boards in India, with 26,000 schools in India and 240 schools abroad being affiliated with it.

Schools affiliated with CBSE follow the NCERT curriculum. The curriculum encompasses two major areas- scholastic and non-scholastic. 

• The scholastic curriculum includes academic subjects like Biology, History, Mathematics, and also languages. Skill electives ranging from fashion, healthcare, mass media, and so on are also a part of the scholastic curriculum.
• The non-scholastic curriculum comprises mostly health and physical education, while also roping in general studies.

To be precise, the curricula followed by the CBSE board focus on the holistic development of children. With its student-friendly curriculum and vast presence all over the country, transfer from one CBSE school to another is often a hassle-free affair.

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Here are some of the key features of CBSE.

• Covers classes from Nursery to XII.
• The curriculum followed is NCERT.
• The medium of instruction followed by CBSE is English and Hindi.
• Compact and comprehensive curriculum, with affordable textbooks.
• Follows a grade-based assessment system.
• Assessments are categorised as formative and summative.
• Formative assessments are conducted 4 times in an academic year.
• Summative assessments are conducted twice in an academic year.
• Board exams in grade X are optional but mandatory in grade XII.

International Baccalaureate (IB)

Founded in the year 1968, the International Baccalaureate operates from its headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland. IB has a vast presence in India, with over 200 schools being affiliated with the board.

IB offers three types of curricula, as stated below.

• Primary Years Programme (PYP): PYP covers students from kindergarten to grade V. PYP curriculum consists of 6 globally significant transdisciplinary subjects. At the end of PYP students are required to complete an exhibition programme. PYP assessment comprises a pre-assessment, followed by a formative, summative and then a reflective assessment.
• Middle Years Programme (MYP): MYP covers students from grade VI to X, with a curriculum that consists of 16 transdisciplinary concepts and 8 subject groups. At the end of MYP, students are required to complete a Personal Project. Assessment criteria in MYP are different for different subjects.
• Diploma Programme (DP): Covering grades XI and XII, DP offers six subject groups, allowing students to choose any one course from each of the groups. For the final assessment, students are required to finish a 4000-word essay and 150 hours of Creativity Action Service (CAS) course, in addition to internal as well as external assessments.

Here are some of the key features of IB:

• Exposes students to an inquiry-based and balanced curriculum.
• Aims to provide transdisciplinary, collaborative and conceptual learning.
• Allows flexibility in choosing subjects.
• Encourages the development of global skills and independent learning.
• The medium of instruction followed is English.

Indian Certificate of Secondary Education (ICSE)

Established as a private board of education in 1956, the Indian Certificate of Secondary Education, or ICSE, is widely prevalent all over the country. Around 2400 schools in India are affiliated with the Indian Secondary Board of Education.

Here are some of the key features of ICSE:

• Wide choice of subjects, while liberating schools to choose textbooks of their own.
• Follows a theme-based approach to learning and a project-based curriculum.
• Lays equal emphasis on co-curricular activities in addition to academic learning.
• ISC exams are conducted for grade X students and ICSE exams for grade XII.
• Certificate of Vocational Education (CVE) is conducted for students after passing grade XII.
• In addition to internal assessments, class participation, group activities and projects, too, contribute to assessments.

Thus, in conclusion, all of these boards are equally equipped to provide the best to students. For parents who face difficulty in choosing the right curriculum or board, it is always advisable to make an informed decision by keeping their child’s learning needs in mind.

Delhi Public School, GBN, Sector 132, Noida: A Curriculum that Meets Students’ Needs

Delhi Public School or DPS, as it is popularly known, at Gautam Buddh Nagar, has always aimed at developing balanced learners. Essentially, the school focuses on the nurturing of ethical principles, curiosity, and other skills required throughout life, all according to the CBSE curriculum and with the incorporation of the NEP 2020.

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DPS GBN’s motto, “Service Before Self,” reflects its commitment to developing compassionate students who aspire to contribute positively to society. The institution aims to build future global leaders who can influence a better social order. One of the best CBSE schools in Noida, the school's curriculum is known for its innovative and competency-based approach, ensuring students are equipped to meet modern challenges.

Moreover, DPS GBN sees teachers not merely as instructors but as facilitators and co-learners, cultivating a collaborative learning environment. The school promotes holistic education by blending academics with co-curricular activities and encourages students to pursue their dreams with zeal.

For more information on this and other such schools in the area, check out this list of the best schools in Noida.

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