By Sanamdeep Chadha
Balancing technology, sustainability, concepts, and life skills reflects the multifaceted demands of modern society. Assessments therefore also, should reflect students’ understanding and application of knowledge rather than their ability to memorise information. Project-based learning has become the way to teach young minds new ideas. Today, schools offer both CBSE and international programmes such as IB and IGCSE, giving students ample choice.
The IB and CBSE curriculum are vastly different and people might think that these two curricula are the extreme opposites and wonder how they can exist in the same space at the same time. The biggest reason is the fact that over the years CBSE has evolved to keep pace with the international way of education.
CBSE curriculum
With an emphasis on critical thinking, practical knowledge application, and holistic development, the CBSE curriculum offers an organised and thorough educational framework.
Students can customise their education to fit their interests and professional goals by choosing from a variety of elective disciplines in addition to a well-balanced selection of core subjects, including science, math, and social science. In order to lessen academic stress and promote a love of learning, the curriculum also places a strong emphasis on activity-based and project-driven approaches.
IB and IGCSE curriculum
The International Baccalaureate (IB) and IGCSE curriculum, on the other hand, provides a demanding, inquiry-based educational framework that is widely accepted. With a dedication to global and multicultural understanding, it seeks to cultivate students who are informed, curious, and compassionate. The Board is also gaining popularity as there is a growing demand for global competence, and the IB curriculum caters to it.
However, there is a need to cater to diverse needs when it comes to higher education opportunities; that is why the two curriculums must coexist. Today’s students aim for IITs and IIMs as well as aspire to study in foreign universities. There is increased competition, and students require flexibility in this transition. A dual curriculum will enable the students to become a global workforce while keeping the Indian context in mind. The choice between these two courses often also stems from their respective financial implications.
To truly make dual curriculums a success, there must be extensive teacher training under the watchful eyes of experts. Curriculum alignment and integration on the basis of cultural sensitivity will be imperative here. Though there will be regulatory challenges, the bigger challenge will be to create parental awareness, as they are the biggest decision-makers in a child’s life. Here technology can play a huge role, and students and parents can make decisions with long-term viability.
The author is education reformist and director of Genesis Global School
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