Key Differences Between CBSE and IB Schools in India

As a parent, you want to make sure that your child gets the best in life. And education is a big part of that - it can not only help your child grow both intellectually and artistically, but also help find his true calling in life. So it’s inevitable that you do your research about the best schools and what they have to offer. Though fairly new, IB schools have become an important option when selecting schools and we’re here to tell you how they’re different from CBSE schools.

IB Schools - An Introduction

Let’s start with the basics - The International Baccalaureate (IB) program is an international foundation for education that has its headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland. In addition to the traditional subjects of math, science, social studies and languages, IB schools also emphasize in their curriculum the importance of creative and vocational subjects like music, sports, arts and computer science, among many others.

Unlike the CBSE curriculum that focuses on learning only from the standard recommended textbooks and not focus much on sources of information outside the prescribed course materials, IB schools offer a knowledge oriented approach to their students. IB schools do not encourage rote learning or following a set of predefined textbooks but rather learning and understanding the concepts being taught in classes. The students are provided free access to external resources and courses, and examinations are designed to maximize understanding of the course materials. IB schools believe in inquiry-based learning - a form of active learning that begins by posing questions, problems or scenarios, instead of simply presenting established facts.

IB Schools & University

Moreover, IB schools are internationally recognized and statistics reveal that more students from IB schools get accepted in universities abroad (especially in the US). The students from IB schools can also enroll for courses in their final years that allow them to earn college credits while finishing school. This gives them the option to skip taking basic courses in university.

Unlike CBSE schools, IB schools strongly believe in the power of concept-driven learning instead of content-driven learning. This way, their students are better aligned with their personal goals and methods of learning. IB schools are purely student-centric, with focus on reprogramming learning, based on the current needs of their students.

IB schools are a perfect fit for your child if you intend to send your child abroad for university and have a global education. IB schools are also a great place to teach your child about diversity. Being an international school, IB schools have a mix of students from different cultural backgrounds and nations. This not only exposes the child to a multifaceted environment, but also teaches him about tolerance and respect towards people of different cultures, ethnicity, race and gender. Plus, at IB schools, the arts are given a lot of preference, and all students must study one visual or performing art each year through Class 12, making overall education at IB schools more holistic and well-rounded.

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