Reviewing Different School Boards Post NEP: Part 2

We have already talked about the three popular boards that are recognised by the Indian Education System. However, there are two less-known yet equally prestigious boards that provide quality education in India.

These two boards are:-

• International Baccalaureate
• Cambridge Assessment International Education(Cambridge International)

International Baccalaureate

The International Baccalaureate board (IB) is a prestigious and expensive board in India. This board was formed in 1968 and is run by a non-profit Organisation. They became a part of the Indian Education System in 1976 and has 169 schools affiliated to them in India itself.

Currently, International Baccalaureate has already been affiliated by schools in over 150 countries. The syllabus of IB focuses on international subjects and covers a diverse range of topics. While CBSE, CISE, and SSC boards tend to concentrate more on topics and specifics of the Indian subcontinent and surrounding areas, IB has a more diverse syllabus spanning various countries. IB also allows smooth transfers to schools outside India and is a good option for children with parents who have work obligations outside the country.

Their curriculum is split into 4 distinctive categories for students from age 3-19.

These four sections are:-

• Primary Years Program
• Middle Years Program 
• Diploma Program
• Career Related Program

The Diploma Program requires students to choose six subjects from six subject categories. The assessment based on written exams or on projects that are marked by externals. The method of assessment is dependant upon the subjection selection of the students. In the Career Related Program, students are marked by international standards. The examination is conducted by a four-part assessment system that includes both theory and project or fieldwork. The written examinations and assessments are marked by external examiners. The marking system for theory papers is a garden system that ranges from points 1 to 7. The projects are marked by a grading system by alphabets. The range of marks is divided into five sections from A to E.

Admission to schools is decided by the affiliated schools and the fee structure is quite expensive as compared to CBSE, CISE, and SSC boards.

Read | Reviewing Different School Boards Post NEP

Cambridge Assessment International Education(Cambridge International)

The Cambridge Assessment International Education Board (CAIE) is another board that has an international syllabus. This board was formed in 1998 and has now taken several Indian schools under it. The CAIE board is also run by a non-profit educational organisation and aims to provide a world-class education to its students. The board offers prime opportunities for students who want to pursue higher studies abroad. Transfer to schools outside India is quite easy. Hence, this board is also quite convenient for students who wish to study abroad or have parents to have work obligations outside India. Just like the IB board, the Cambridge board also has an international syllabus that is diverse. Through this syllabus, they can give their students a high-quality learning experience. The board offers premium education for students from ages 5-19. Their curriculum is decided into four categories depending on age groups.

These groups are:-

• Cambridge Primary
• Cambridge Lower Secondary 
• Cambridge Upper Secondary
• Cambridge Advanced

The Cambridge Upper Secondary is divided into two parts called Cambridge IGCSE and Cambridge 0 Level. The Cambridge IGCSE has two curriculums called IGCSE Core and IGCSE Extended. The students are offered choices from over 70 subjects in any combination. The assessment takes place in the form of theory, assessment, practical and oral. The IGCSE extended course is targeted for the achievers or front runners of the class. The Cambridge 0 Level category has over 40 subjects from which students have to make their choice of subject combination. Both the degrees are similar but the Cambridge 0 Level course has fewer options and a more localised syllabus. The Cambridge Advanced course offers two options:-

• AS Level- 1 year.
• A Level- 2 years.

The candidates or students can choose from over 55 subjects of any combination for completing their school certificate before going to college. The marking system is based on an alphabetical grading system that awards marks from A to E. A special A* garden is available in the Cambridge A level exam. The examination for this course is conducted twice a year.

The admission procedure to schools mostly depends on the preferred method of the schools itself. The few structures are quite expensive like the IB board.