‘Selection of board’, based on the high acknowledgment of both CBSE and an ICSE board is deemed to be an obscured issue for parents when it comes to their child admission. However, when the choice is marked, former generally rolls up over the latter in most of the cases. Well!
The reasons may be any too many among these – the pattern of the syllabus; structured course books and application of the same in competitive exams are few probable whys and wherefores.
Eminent for its universal pattern and syllabus, CBSE is idealized even by the Government. CBSE follows a predictable and controlled pattern of education based on all national entrance examinations. Furthermore, if we measure the role of books in the course of education “they are uniquely portable magic” as quoted by Sir Stephen King.
As a driver is for the vehicle, so is a book for education; because without an accurate comprehension of the subject, the ultimate worth of wisdom can never be achieved. Thus, when we evaluate the real kernel of the education CBSE books shows various advantages over ICSE books, let’s count few through below-mentioned points –
Role of NCERT books in competitive examinations – The National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT) sets the syllabus and the curriculum right from the Kindergarten to Class XII.
The syllabus and the text matters of the NCERT books are framed as per the competitive exams pattern. May it be engineering or Medical entrance exams, their syllabus is NCERT based. Thus, CBSE (NCERT) books are preferred over ICSE books.
Also, syllabus and a kin book pattern are based on the concentric curriculum in CBSE which starts from basic level information in the junior classes and the advanced concept of the same fundamentals in the senior classes. This supports thorough revision of the same concept, again and again, making the base strong and proceeding with it in a progressive implementation.
Whereas in ICSE, spiral curriculum is followed, this is keen to introduce the concept in its basic and advanced level in the same class, subsequently. Later, to distinguish CBSE textbooks follows an intensive coursework, whereas, ICSE textbooks are extensive and tough for its coursework.
Recommendation for CBSE (NCERT) Books – Council for the Indian School Certificate Examinations (CISCE) in its one of the press note recommends to use NCERT textbooks for Physics, Chemistry, Biology, and Mathematics both as the base books and for the complete coursework of class XII boards and competitive exams.
Also, ascertaining the nationwide competitive acceptance of the NCERT books, even CISCE is in the course of designing its study material on the basis of competitive exams and their preparation.
Furthermore, the sincere endorsement moves on the part of CBSE because of its concept building study structure and wide applicability to be followed in examinations as contrary with that of ICSE which focuses more on in-depth knowledge, understanding and the applicability.
More to grill up is the assistance of CBSE in application based preparation of the concepts that truly is the approach of competitive examinations too.
Level of difficulty – If we compare the level of difficulty, ICSE scores high as compared to CBSE. The ICSE books are extensive (as discussed earlier) and challenging enough designed to hit the international level of education, which in turn is not bad.
But, the primary concern of the education now a day is to impart quality teaching with creative content, rather than unnecessarily indulging the students in extremely difficult versions. Resultantly, the CBSE books stand up on the apprehension influencing the state government to accelerate the preference of NCERT books over any other.
Pricing factor – NCERT books are comparatively cheaper than ICSE books, which are obviously retailed high. This ought to be another big reason behind the government’s preference for NCERT books.
Concluding, the aforesaid advantages of CBSE books over ICSE books, quality education is indeed promised with no comprise on any part of edification.