Introduction
The CICSE (Council for the Indian School Certificate Examinations) is a private organization which administers what are commonly referred to in India as ICSE schools. It was established in 1958.
The CICSE was a successor of sorts to the Cambridge Board examinations which were slowly phased out to be replaced by an Education Board more representative of catering to Indian society and students. It now plays a very important rule in the school sector in India.
We will continue to refer to the schools as ICSE schools and in coming sessions discuss the various facets of the ICSE curriculum.
1. Overview of the ICSE Board and Its Objectives
ICSE refers to one of the main public examinations conducted by CISCE for affiliated schools. Students take this at the end of Class 10.
ISC refers to the other public examination conducted by CISCE for affiliated schools. Students take this at the end of Class 12.
Every ICSE school may not offer ISC also as they are separate affiliations.
The ICSE curriculum is an English medium curriculum offered by CISCE.
It lays emphasis on academic education as well as extracurricular activities for the well-rounded development of students.
Within a framework offered by the CISCE, affiliated schools have a considerable amount of freedom in how to manage the school and the teaching-learning process.
The CISCE offers an extensive master list of subjects from which individual schools can select their options to offer. Other Boards do not offer such a wide variety of subjects to choose from – Science and Social Studies are taught as single subjects
Students are exposed to a wide variety of subjects in increasing depth as they grow.
2. Structure and Framework of the ICSE Curriculum
In an ICSE school students spend 3 years in the Kindergarten department and 10 years in the main school in Classes 1 to 10.
For convenience the main school years are divided into departments Primary (Class 1 to 4), Middle (Class 5 to 7) and High (8 to 10).
The detailed syllabus is published by CICSE and many publishers study these and produce textbooks which adhere to these syllabus guidelines.
The ICSE curriculum is continuously monitored and updated by the activities of their research wing RDCD (Research Development & Consultancy Division). RDCD monitors latest trends and developments in the education space and adapts them appropriately to the ICSE curriculum to keep it up to date and relevant
3. Subject-wise Breakdown: Science, Mathematics, Languages, and Humanities (Word Count: 250-300)
In the Primary department, the subjects offered are English (Literature & Language), 2nd language, Environmental Science, Social Studies, Science and Mathematics.
Value Education, General Knowledge, Arts & Craft and Physical Education are also integral parts of the curriculum
In the Middle department, the subjects offered are English (Literature & Language), 2nd language & Mathematics. Science is trifurcated into Biology, Chemistry & Physics. Social Studies is bifurcated to Geography and History & Civics. Value Education, General Knowledge, Arts & Craft and Physical Education continue to be integral parts of the curriculum.
In the High, students are offered the option of Stream selection. Based on their interests, abilities and future plans students can select an ICSE school that offers the best choices for them. At this level English, 2nd language, Geography and History Civics are compulsory subjects. The remaining subjects offered typically identify the stream.
For Ex. A Science stream may have Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry & Biology
A Commerce stream may offer Commerce, Economics and Accountancy
A Humanities stream may offer Economics, EVS, Commercial applications, Arts
ICSE offers a rich choice of subjects including Computer Applications,
Music (Western & Indian), Drama, Fine Arts, Physical Education, Home Science, Cookery, Fashion Design etc.
4. Pedagogical Approaches in ICSE Schools (Word Count: 250-300)
The learning methodology espoused by the CISCE leads to increased critical thinking and communication skills as children tackle subject matter through group projects. The mandatory inclusion of Value Education as a subject leads to regular discussions and activities for the development of life skills
Technology is presented to students with the inclusion of Computer Science as a subject from the very youngest classes. Depending upon their resources schools may also offer advanced technical; subjects like Robotics. The Govt of India has earmarked one of the “National Awards for School teachers for innovative use of Information and Communication Technology (ICT)” for CICSE schools.
5. Preparation for ICSE Board Exams and Assessment Methods (Word Count: 250-300)
The format of the ICSE exam is as follows
Final Exam (per subject) – 80 marks
Internal Assessment (per subject) – 20 marks
The Council also provides schools with inputs on how to frame questions, how to create a marking scheme etc. Based on this input, in High school, teachers start getting students accustomed to this method of evaluation by having 2 exams each year for 80 marks,
Students thus learn to get comfortable with revising the large portions, learn time management to ensure they can answer all the questions in the stipulated 3 hours, how to answer and how much to answer for different question types etc.
The Council also publishes past question papers along with an excellent resource called Pupil performance analysis. This helps teachers interpret their students’ results and adjust their teaching methodologies appropriately.
6. Advantages of Choosing an ICSE Affiliated School (Word Count: 200-250)
An ICSE school comes about only after passing a rigorous process to become affiliated. Parents can be assured that an ICSE school is a stable institution vetted by and supported by the CICSE in the execution of its functions.
Choosing to attend an ICSE school offers the following benefits
An excellent education leading to fluency in English, engagement in an up-to-date curriculum which provides focus on academics (STEM and Humanities) as well as extra-curricular activities. This is evidenced by a list of illustrious alumni who have excelled in various fields having completed the ICSE curriculum.
- Rahul Dravid – cricketer
- Nandan Nilekani IT
- Sabeer Bhatia – IT
- Altamas Kabir- Chief Justice of India
- Shankar Roy Chowdhary – Army Chief of Staff
- Swapan Dasgupta – Editor
- Kiran Mazumdar Shaw – Scientific entrepreneur
- Sharmila Nicollet – Golf
Conclusion
ICSE schools provide an excellent education with a choice of a wide variety of subjects to cater to different interests. The emphasis on English produces students confident of communicating effectively in the language which is a bonus when considering education or employment overseas. The balance provided by mandatory inclusion of PE, Arts, Value education etc produces well-rounded individuals.