Tips to Choose the Right Curriculum for Your Child

Is the CBSE curriculum better, or would you instead pick an IB, ICSE, State, or CAIE curriculum?

Here are interesting findings from a recent survey of 17,000 Indian parents across 122 cities.

About 38% of them are considering a curriculum change for their child.

That’s a significant number.

But there’s more, according to the 2020 University Parents Aspirations, Concerns, and Expectations survey. 

Some 67% of those are not even aware of the various curricula available now.

Another 54% do not know where to ask about it, with 43% of the parents preferring to ask friends and family members for advice.

Well, this short guide to choosing the right curriculum for your child in India is meant to help if you are still wondering.

It will focus on some of the most decisive advantages of the four primary curricula available in India today.

But first, a little background.

India has the second-highest number of international schools worldwide

That’s right.

You can pick from over 708 international curriculum schools in India today.

Compare that to just 313 international schools seven years ago in 2013.

From Global Montessori Plus preschool programs to rich CBSE offerings, you can get them right in India.

There are more places to take your child to get an international education than ever before.

The number is growing, too.

Which is the best curriculum for your child today?

Well, that depends because every child is unique.

Plus, your parental ambitions matter. They can help you decide which school board system can help get the best education for your child.

So, what makes each curriculum great or not so great?

1) The CBSE Curriculum

CBSE curriculum is the most popular education curriculum in India and applies in close to 21,500 schools.

It comes with a pre-set of subject combinations, grouped in three streams.

There’s more:

•  It focuses on academic performance, so it is suitable for parents that want to encourage a competitive streak or have competitive children.

•  It runs from Grade 1 to 9 and Grade 11 to 12.

•  It uses assessment tests, creating a moderately challenging environment for the child.

• There is a focus on memorizing and recalling concepts.

•  It is geared towards the STEMS.

The study board has been around since 1962 and prescribes the syllabi to use, including recommended textbooks.

2) The ICSE Curriculum

This one offers a more challenging curriculum than CBSE, although they are quite similar in many ways.

Here are some unique ICSE curriculum benefits:

• Comes with pre-set subject combinations grouped in three streams. But it includes compulsory subjects (Socially Useful Productive Work and English)

• It is also exam-based, but the focus is on learning skills.

• Also runs Grade 1 to 9 and Grade 11 to 12

• It is ideal for children who want to do humanities or studies and careers that benefit from language mastery. 

The curriculum is available in over 3,000 schools in India.   

3) The IB Curriculum

This Switzerland based curriculum is a popular offering in international schools.

The IB stands for International Baccalaureate.

Here’s more:

• It offers a subject selection of up to 70 subjects.

• 176 schools offer it in India

• While it doesn't grade primary year students, more advanced learners can take graded online assessments.

• The IB curriculum structure looks like this: Primary Years Program, Middle Years Program, IB Senior Level Diploma Program, and Career Program.

• It offers recommended readings, not prescribed textbooks.

• Ideal if you plan on taking the SAT and GRE exams

The IB curriculum is ideal for parents and children that need more challenge.

4) The CAIE Curriculum

This study board has its origins in the U.K. It is a popular system whose “Cambridge” moniker you might recognize.

What does it have to offer?

• Oral, written, and practical examinations

• So, it aims to instill actionable knowledge with its checkpoint and progression assessments approach.

• You can pick from six different subject groups.

• Some 400 schools in India alone

• Ideal for learners and parents planning to study or work abroad

The CAIE curriculum will appeal to learners and parents that need the constant challenge to excel forward. It also includes textbooks and recommended readings.

Over to You

While you can also pick other study boards, these four are the most powerful and accessible in India.  

So, which one is it going to be for your child?