ICSE Board VS other Boards A Scientific Comparison

Genesis: Reflects the focus on English Language ICSE Started as Overseas Cambridge school Certificate Examination (English) before Independence By British Government based in UK Maulana Abdul Kalam Azad, Minister of Education, Govt. of India initiated Indianisation of the examination in 1952 Indian Council to administer the University of Cambridge, Local Examinations Syndicate's Examination in India in 1956 Council for Indian School Certificate Examination (CISCE) is formed in 1958 to conducted English only examinations Others CBSE started as Uttar Pradesh Board of High School & Intermediate Education in 1921 in Hindi Belt In 1929, it was renamed as Board of High School & Intermediate Education It was renamed as Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) in 1952 for primarily Hindi & English later Other regional boards TN Board (1910), WB Board (1951), Andhra Board(1953), Maharashtra Board(1965), Haryana Board(1969) came to meet rising aspirations of regional languages

Location: Reflects the Exclusivity ICSE Large numbers are located in urban and industrial centres based on the people’s aspirations for quality education Less than 2000 schools Maximum English medium schools in metropolis such as Bangalore, Hyderabad Kolkata, Lucknow and Mumbai are ICSE affiliated States with high industrial complexes such as Jharkhand, Orissa and Punjab have high number of ICSE schools Others Large numbers are located in semi- urban and rural hinterland as government’s initiative to promote education among masses More than 2,00,000 schools English medium schools with regional bias in metropolises such as Delhi(Hindi) and Chennai(Tamil) are ‘others’ affiliated Bulk of semi-urban and urban Hindi heartland is affiliated to CBSE other than regional state boards

Curriculum: Reflects Modernity & Global Aspirations ICSE Strong foundation in English, Mathematics & Sciences Many choices in secondary (Class X) and senior secondary examinations (Class XII) High value options such as Computer Applications, Engineering Graphics, Biotechnology & Fashion Designing give a head start to students in their career Foreign language options such as French, German, Thai, Chinese etc. lend a global touch Wide international recognition early on Others Strong foundation in Hindi and Regional Languages other than Mathematics & Sciences – schooling for masses Few choices in both classes X & XII Introduction of Career related courses is a recent phenomenon and that too in class XI & XII Foreign language options such as French, German, Thai, Chinese etc have been recent International recognition for admissions to foreign schools / colleges in UK only last year

Examination: Prepares the Horse for the Race ICSE In-depth Class X examination is compulsory to initiate competitiveness at an early date High emphasis on English throughout and rigorous examinations Good grounding in Science & Mathematics in class X Students learn to compete early in life – makes a solid foundation for the life ahead Prepares for foreign examinations such as SAT, TOEFL, GMAT, CAT etc. other than regular Engg. & Medical Competitions Others Class X examination is not compulsory in CBSE & standards are varying in regional boards Low emphasis on English and relatively easy examinations Very few chapters are there for science & mathematics for class X (CBSE) Students join competitive life late and therefore less prepared Prepares well for Engineering and Medical competitions only

Schools: Best of the breed trains the best students ICSE Top class schools like Doon School, Dehradun, St. Paul’s, Darjeeling, Mayo College, Ajmer, La Martiniere, Kolkata & Rishi Valley, Chittor & many more are all ICSE schools ICSE is the first preference for corporates venturing into schools ex. Dhirubhai Ambani International School, Mumbai; Sarla Birla, Bangalore; Ramadevi Public School, Hyderabad, Modern High, Kolkata Most of the dedicated missionary schools are affiliated to ICSE ICSE has urban niche footprint Others DAV and DPS represent large CBSE chain schools other than Government initiated Kendriya Vidyalayas, Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalayas and recent model schools CBSE is the first preference for Army, Airforce and Navy as all Army Schools, Airforce Schools are affiliated to CBSE Most of the state government schools are affiliated to state boards CBSE & State Boards have a mix of urban, semi-urban and rural mass footprint