IB (International Baccalaureate) Vs CBSE: A Comprehensive Comparison

Overview of ib board vs cbse

The International Baccalaureate Organisation (IBO) is widely known as IB. Based in Geneva, Switzerland, it is a non-profit educational organisation. The IBO is a global organisation that is not affiliated with any one government and operates independently of national, political, or educational objectives. The International Baccalaureate (IB) board offers four challenging academic programmes to schools worldwide to build a better, more peaceful world.

An IB school offers a high-quality international education programme to a global community of schools. The three programmes for students ages 3 to 19 assist in fostering the intellectual, interpersonal, emotional, and social abilities necessary to function in a fast-paced and global society. With over 5,96,000 students, over 5,600 IB schools are across 159 countries.

The IB Diploma Programme (DP) was started in 1968 to give students a rigorous, all-around education that would help them understand and deal with the complexity of our world and provide them with the knowledge, skills, and attitudes they would need to act responsibly in the future.

Overview of CBSE Board

CBSE is the Central Board of Secondary Education and is the national board for secondary education for both public and private schools in India. The government of India runs it. 

The history of the CBSE board dates back a century. The Uttar Pradesh Board of High School and Intermediate Education was the first education board in India. It was run by Rajputana, Central India, and Gwalior. 

The Indian government established a combined board in 1929 called the Board of High School and Intermediate Education. These comprised Gwalior, Central India, Merwara, and Ajmer. Afterwards, only Ajmer, Bhopal, and Vindhya Pradesh were left with it. 

In 1952, the Central Board of Secondary Education’s constitution underwent modification to give the organisation its current name. On July 1, 1962, the Board was reorganised so that it could help students and other educational institutions all over the country.

Almost a century later, more than 28,486 schools in India and 240 schools in 26 other countries have become CBSE schools. All schools that are part of the CBSE use the NCERT curriculum, especially in grades 9 through 12. Nidhi Chibber, an IAS, is the CBSE’s current chairperson. 

Difference between IB and CBSE

A lot of parents and students are confused regarding ib vs cbse and which board is better for them. The answer to the question, “Is IB better than CBSE?” lies in the following IB vs CBSE board comparison. Read on to learn about IB vs CBSE and which board is better for your child.

Popularity 

The popularity of the IB board vs the CBSE board can be determined by the number of schools affiliated with each board. There are over 28,486 CBSE schools in India alone, and the number of IB board schools is merely 210, which is relatively low. So, it’s easy to see that both students and their parents like CBSE schools. However, judging and deciding on the best board for your child based solely on popularity would be unfair. 

Let’s look at some examples and compare the IB board to the CBSE board based on other criteria.

Curriculum 

The Indian government runs the CBSE Board and may be influenced by political and national agendas. The CBSE curriculum is nationally oriented and is used in several examinations, such as JEE and NEET. The IB board is free of any kind of national or political agenda and follows a curriculum that is student-centric and focuses on the overall development of the student. 

The CBSE curriculum emphasises science and maths. At the same time, the IB board curriculum focuses on languages, literature, arts, and other subjects. The IB board students have to complete a project based on the three principles of creativity, activity, and service. This gives them enough real-world exposure and time outside the classroom. 

Due to a structured curriculum, CBSE students learn the basics from a prescribed curriculum that is the same across all the schools in India. This alleviates the stress of studying for CBSE board students. IB board students have no time for extracurricular activities due to the vast syllabus and project work.

Assessment & Grading 

The CBSE board exams evaluate students based on speed and memory. Whereas. The IB board exams evaluate students based on written exams, essays, and projects based on tasks. IB assessments are based on both internal and external evaluations. 

The CBSE board examinations assess students on a grade basis. This reduces stress on the students, as they do not have to worry about a few marks. This is quite advantageous, especially for students who get stressed due to the pressure of studies and grades.

Rigour and Difficulty

‘Is IB harder than CBSE?’ is another major question in the ib vs cbse debate that worries students and parents alike. 

The CBSE curriculum is simpler and lighter than that of other Indian boards. The CBSE curriculum is shorter and has less content than those of other boards. Science and mathematics are the two topics that receive the most attention on the CBSE boards. Still, some other boards give equal weight to other disciplines like art, language, the humanities, science, mathematics, etc., thus giving CBSE students a competitive edge.

The IB school syllabus consists of six subject areas plus the DP core that makes up the curriculum. The three essential components that make up the DP core are meant to push students to apply their knowledge and abilities while broadening their educational experience. The IB curriculum comprises the theory of knowledge, the extended essay, creativity, activity, service projects, and six other subjects. The IB curriculum is extensive, demanding, and requires more skills than speed and memory.

Subject Choices 

CBSE schools have an emphasis on science and maths. CBSE schools have five compulsory subjects for standard 10: first language, second language, science (physics, chemistry, and biology), maths, and social sciences. There are two optional subjects that students in class 10 need to select: a third language and any one subject from ‘skill subjects’. In CBSE schools, students also take non-academic subjects like art education, health and physical education, and work experience. These subjects are tested and graded at the school level.

The IB school syllabus consists of six subject areas plus the DP core that makes up the curriculum. For each subject, there are different courses available. The students can choose any course. Some classes for students are at a higher level (HL), while others are at a standard level (SL). Even though HL and SL courses have different goals, they are both graded using the same criteria, and students at the higher level are expected to show a wider range of knowledge, understanding, and skills. Each student enrols in a minimum of three advanced-level courses and a maximum of four standard-level courses. Standard-level courses take about 150 teaching hours, whereas higher-level courses require 240 teaching hours.

Teacher Qualifications and Approach

The IB Board is well-known for constantly evaluating teachers based on several criteria and for giving teachers the training they need to keep up with changing global trends and industry standards. 

Most of what is taught in CBSE schools is theory, and most teaching occurs in classrooms. On the other hand, IB board schools believe in giving students practical knowledge based on real-world experience, and both practical knowledge and theory are taught. However, this approach can be a bit much for the average student.

Recognition

CBSE schools are recognised and valued by almost all Indian institutions and universities. Even the JEE and NEET examinations are based on the CBSE curriculum. One can find ample CBSE schools in every nook and cranny of the country because of its recognition. On the other hand, IB board schools are recognised on a global level. Hence, students who wish to pursue their higher studies abroad opt for IB board schools.

Cost and Accessibility

The major difference between the CBSE and IB boards lies in the cost of education. IB board school tuition fees range from 4 to 5 lacs per annum, whereas CBSE school fees start at 80,000 annually and go up to a couple of lacs. In the same way, the costs of activities and extracurriculars are much higher in IB board schools than in CBSE schools. 

Another significant difference is accessibility. Since there are over 28,486 CBSE schools in the country, one can easily find a CBSE school in their vicinity as opposed to an IB school, which is rare to find in major cities, let alone all the cities in India. As a result, the cost and time associated with transportation are also high in the case of IB schools.

Pros of the CBSE Board

• The main benefit of attending a CBSE school is that all of India’s most important exams use the CBSE curriculum. These tests include the All India Engineering Entrance Examination, the All India Pre-Medical Test, and the Joint Entrance Examination (IIT-JEE) (AIEEE).
• The CBSE curriculum is easier than those of the other boards because it has fewer courses and a tighter syllabus structure. Moreover, according to the CBSE syllabus, Secondary-level courses like Environmental Education are not required. Science as a whole includes topics like physics, chemistry, and biology, whereas the social sciences have subjects like history, geography, and civics.
• No matter where you move, finding a school that follows the CBSE curriculum shouldn’t be too hard. Parents with transferable employment are advised to admit their children to CBSE schools.
• The science and maths courses in the CBSE curriculum are given significant weight.
• The CBSE diplomas are accepted by all colleges and schools in the country. The board also adheres to a concentric curriculum.
• CBSE is recognised by NCERT and sanctioned by the Government of India. It is associated with several schools, including central schools (Kendriya Vidyalaya) in India (National Council of Educational Research and Training).
• For students, CBSE provides a number of talent search exams and scholarships.

Cons of the CBSE Board

• One of the disadvantages of the CBSE is that it doesn’t emphasise giving students real-world skills or practical knowledge. The CBSE curriculum puts more emphasis on maths and science rather than basic English skills. However, this means CBSE students have excellent maths and science knowledge and skills.
• Most of the courses in the CBSE curriculum are theory-based.
• CBSE schools and the CBSE board focus on Hindi, which is a good thing on a national level. However, the CBSE curriculum doesn’t emphasise much on international languages such as French, Spanish, etc.
• The CBSE curriculum doesn’t put a lot of focus on civics. Because of this, it may be a bit more challenging for students from CBSE to pass civil service exams than for students from other boards. However, with some planning and effort, students can crack any exam they want.

Pros of the IB Board

• One of the top IB board benefits is that it is a worldwide programme with 5000 schools in 160 nations, including Australia, Zambia, Norway, India, and China! This means that the students get global exposure, and the instructional strategy is innovative and of worldwide standards.
• Top colleges acknowledge the benefits of the IB curriculum and favour and value the IB board, which frequently modifies its curriculum to keep up with shifting skill requirements and industry trends.
• IB schools emphasise skill development and provide a wide range of courses in the arts, sciences, and extracurricular activities, including athletics, debate, Model United Nations, community service, etc.
• The emphasis is on character development and providing children with a range of resources to build and cultivate their interests! Students may find out what they are interested in because of the exposure, which also strengthens their college applications.
• In all classrooms, IB global schools maintain a student-to-teacher ratio of 25:1. In India, the ratio might vary from one school to another. This benefits parents, educators, and students who want to enrol their child in an IB school because a CBSE or other state board classroom typically has 45–50 students and one instructor.
• IB schools ensure that teachers and students get along well by keeping class sizes small and making it easy for teachers to give each student the support they need.
• IB board schools help students become well-rounded people by allowing them to do things outside the classroom. The Creativity, Activity, and Services project that students must complete in all three aspects gives them ample exposure to the world outside the classroom. This is something not all schools encourage.
• Similarly, they have to write thoroughly researched essays, which gives them a strong command of the English language. Thus, students from IB schools have excellent written and verbal communication skills.

Cons of the IB Board

• IB international schools are more expensive than CBSE or ICSE board-run institutions. IB school tuition in India typically costs between Rs. 4 and 5 lakhs annually.
• The average tuition price does not cover daily transportation, lodging expenses, or school excursions. However, parents must also pay for other fees like course materials, clothing, and other costs, which can add up to a considerable price for parents.
• The majority of IB schools in India are found in metropolitan areas like Delhi, Chennai, and Bangalore, with a few exceptions. Parents must decide whether to use the school buses or pay for their child’s transport. In some places, public transportation can be dangerous for young children and isn’t useful because it doesn’t connect to schools.
• If your child has to travel a long way to school, it may cost you money and be hard on them emotionally. Also, the time consumption for travelling leads to fewer hours for studies and other activities.
• IB school students are frequently overworked with a variety of essays, projects, and tasks. Although it is a fantastic method for getting ready for college, it may be stressful and draining for students. Students may experience stress, exhaustion, or burnout as a result.
• Students have to handle eight topic areas throughout the middle year of the programme, six subject areas and a diploma programme core during the last two years. The Theory of Knowledge (ToK), the Extended Essay (EE), and extracurricular pursuits in the areas of Creativity, Activity, and Services are all part of the DP core curriculum (CAS).
• There’s a chance that the IB school doesn’t have the right facilities to offer specific courses that the IB board might decide to add to the curriculum. The IB board, for instance, lists films as a topic; nevertheless, the school might not have a teacher to lead the course.

Over to you

The final decision on whether an IB or CBSE school is right for your child is up to you. Both the IB board and the CBSE board have their own set of pros and cons. Based on the above comparison between the two popular boards, you can easily judge which is better for your child and their future. Deciding on a school for your child is not easy and certainly cannot depend on only one parameter.

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