Choosing the right board for education is the biggest concern for parents. Whatever the age or class of the child, be it elementary or secondary education, parents try hard to provide their child with the best quality of education. Before making a decision, there are so many aspects one has to think about while selecting the right education board.

Let us look at two of the most well-known boards of education in India, the CBSE or central board and the IGCSE or the International board. Let us first understand what each of this stands for. CBSE is nothing but Central Board of Secondary Education whereas the IGCSE board stands for International General Certificate of Secondary Education. There are quite a few differences between the two. Let us explore the same in a little detail.

CBSE, being the national central syllabus allows students to opt for this curriculum from anywhere across India. It has its own syllabus and the books are provided by the centrally governed NCERT board. So CBSE along with Islamic studies can be a good combination. But there aren’t many such CBSE Islamic Schools.

Whereas, IGCSE board is internationally recognized and is valid worldwide, therefore it does not have a fixed set of books that need to be followed. Students or schools have the freedom to choose the textbooks within its curricula that they find suits best. CBSE board books give importance to learning and recalling subject concepts in a theoretical way whereas IGCSE emphasises a concept-wise learning that includes knowledge about practical application of concepts in the daily life.

CBSE allows students to pick subjects in combinations that are known as stream. A student may select subjects from his/her respective stream only. English is a fixed subject in all the three streams of Science, Commerce and Arts. Whereas the IGCSE board offers a wide range of up to 70 subjects. Students are free to choose subjects of their choice and interest with no restrictions of streams or the like. It is offered in the English medium only, but instead of being a limitation, this can also become a great strength for students that aim to compete at the international level in their careers as this provides an equal opportunity for other Cambridge students from around the world, so all of them are at an equal footing.

CBSE board does not concentrate much on subjects that are non-occupational such as social sciences or the languages. Whereas this restrictive limit is absent in IGCSE board.

IGCSE is a great option for students who wish to continue their studies abroad. Having studied under the Cambridge IGCSE curriculum makes for an easier overseas transition for the students and equips them with education that is acknowledged and recognized all around the world.  Making a decision about which education board to choose can be stressful for a parent. But one must also consider quality of education, participation and room for extra-curricular activities, practical approach to education instead of just a theoretical learning, and the added benefit of impacts on future careers and global recognition of the said education while making the decision.

Insight International School in Hyderabad follows Cambridge IGCSE Syllabus with Islamic orientation. Making it a very good choice for parents who want an International Islamic School.