The Indian education system is home to millions of students. As of the academic year 2021-2022, the number of children enrolled in Indian schools amounted to 25.57 crore. The total number of schools registered in India amounted to 14.89 lakh.
The diversity of Indian schools is wide-ranging, as are the boards of education that govern the schools. Hence, two schools within a neighbourhood or state can be very different from each other. Let’s understand, in particular, why school boards play such a pivotal role in the Indian education system.
Boards of education in India
India is a vast and diverse country, comprising 28 states and eight union territories. States typically have their own boards of education, which offer a unique curriculum, teaching methodology, and standard of education. The medium of instruction may differ based on the regional language, or the regional language may be offered as a separate subject.
However, some schools are governed by centralised or international boards of education, which offer a different standard of education or are governed by a unique educational ideology. Let’s deconstruct the various boards of education and what is special about each one.
Top 6 boards in India
State boards
A state board governs the system of a specific state and is managed by the state government. It has its own unique curriculum, textbooks, education strategy, exam schedule, and state-focused subjects, such as the state’s main language. The medium of instruction may be English or the state’s language.
Admission to schools governed by state boards tends to be affordable. Typically, the standard of education is lower than that of state-agnostic boards of education. So, students who aim to focus more on non-academic subjects can benefit from this norm.
Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE)
The CBSE is one of India’s most renowned boards of education, instituted by the Government of India. The academic standard is considered to be much higher than that of state boards. A mix of public and private schools are affiliated with CBSE. The school’s fee depends on the type of school (private or public).
The curriculum focuses on aspects like vocabulary, science and math fundamentals, and languages. A CBSE education opens access to several higher educational institutes of repute nationwide. Pursuing a CBSE education offers continuity for children whose parents need to relocate within the country.
Council for the Indian School Certificate Examination (CISCE)
This board governs the Indian Certificate of Secondary Education (ICSE) and the Indian School Certificate (ISC). This board conducts the ICSE exam for Class 10 students and the ISC exam for Class 12 students. CISCE is considered one of the most superior Indian boards of education.
This private school board focuses on the holistic development of learners through an emphasis on a mix of science, languages, and humanities subjects. It complies with the New Education Policy of 1986. Education is delivered in English, with a strong focus on English proficiency, and school fees tend to be higher. CISCE’s national network of schools caters to learners with relocation needs seeking access to a sustainable, high-quality education.
National Institute of Open Schooling (NIOS)
NIOS’s distance learning model offers flexibility and free education to every student. This unique board enables students to pursue their education without needing to attend physical classes. Learners with mobility challenges and those living in remote and rural locations are especially benefited. Learners who were unable to pursue or complete studies earlier in life can also opt for NIOS.
This board hosts secondary and post-secondary exams on par with other boards of education. Grade 10 exams cover five subjects and one language, while Grade 12 exams offer trade, commerce, humanities, and science subjects. Learners can take up to five years to complete their exam.
International Baccalaureate (IB)
The IB, a non-profit academic organisation headquartered in Geneva, is recognised as one of the top boards of education internationally and in India, serving students between the ages of three and 19. The IB curriculum is followed in over 159 countries and 5,600 schools. In India, 123 schools follow the IB curriculum.
The IB is valued for its pedagogy, where topics are taught with an interconnected approach. The emphasis is on helping students build critical skills in vocabulary, arts, and humanities. IB schools in India typically cost a premium and are preferred by parents looking to send their children to international universities for higher studies.
Cambridge International Examinations (CIE)
The CIE, formed in 1858, is followed by 10,000 schools in 160 countries worldwide. In India, CIE has been adopted by five virtual schools and a network of physical schools. CIE is recognised globally for its unique focus on the holistic development of learners and, in particular, the emphasis on learning through experiential training.
The CIE curriculum is offered by schools that charge higher fees than Indian boards of education. The exam system is recognised internationally, making it easier for school transfers for learners planning to go abroad.
The takeaway
Today, boards of education play a critical role in a school’s operations and delivery of quality education. The board of education sets the standards and outcomes that schools must uphold. With digital transformation playing a key role in enabling students to be more efficient and effective, schools must also leverage the benefits of technology to deliver quality education.
This is where access to a unified, cloud-based interface can help schools run smooth, accountable operations. It also frees up the bandwidth of teachers and administrators to focus on raising standards and customising education as per the real-time needs of students.
Opt for Qfix, a revolutionary online SaaS platform from PineLabs that provides end-to-end solutions to support educational institutes across all boards in seamlessly managing their operations online. Check out more