School Board Thesis- PART1 (IGCSE)

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What is IGCSE?

As per IGCSE website

IGCSE School Curriculum

The International General Certificate of Secondary Education (IGCSE) is the world’s most popular international qualification for 14–16 year olds. It develops successful students, giving them excellent preparation for their next steps in education, including progression to A and AS Level study, and equips them with skills for immediate employment. Cambridge IGCSE is recognised by universities and employers worldwide.

IGCSE, formed in 1988, is a comprehensive two-year programme, spread over Class 9 and 10, and leads to the final examinations offered every year in May and November.  This board in India is recognized by all the the government education bodies and is considered at par with CBSE/ICSE. The entrance to schools affiliated to it is Open and any student from any board can shift to IGCSE in Class 9 and is considered for admission to any board after Class 10.

What are IGCSE curriculum motives?

IGCSE is a bit more balanced curriculum in terms of knowledge enhancement because it capitalize itself on equal emphasis on course and extra curriculum structure. In frank terms it is a little more challenging than existing CBSE/ICSE. But it challenges does not comes with more burden on bags or more course coverage than other. It gives importance to “how to learn” than “what to learn”. Maybe this is the reason why the certificate offered after this course mentions grades and not Pass/Fail!

What is IGCSE grading structure?

Like other modern programmes, IGCSE offers a wider range of subjects and encourages high academic standards through a practical approach to teaching and learning. Assessment is not limited to conventional written papers and they consist of a variety of tests e.g. oral and listening tests. The assessment is aimed at a wide ability range of students, with an eight-point grading scale, from A+ to G, with A+ being the highest.

Most subjects offer a choice between core curriculum and extended curriculum. This gives students of all ability levels the freedom to choose subjects that are right for them and, thereby, the opportunity to score good grades.The core curriculum is an overview of the subject and is suitable for students who are expected to achieve grades C to G.The extended curriculum is, sort of, a specialization in that subject. It is more challenging and designed for students who are expected to achieve grades A+ to C.

What are the Subjects Offered?

There are five Subject Groups in IGCSE with several subjects to choose from, in each group:

• Group 1:  Languages (First Language, Second Language, Foreign Language, etc)
• Group 2:  Humanities and Social Sciences (Geography, English Literature, History, etc)
• Group 3:  Sciences (Biology, Chemistry, Physics, etc)
• Group 4:  Mathematics (Mathematics, Additional Mathematics, etc)
• Group 5:  Creative, Technical & Vocational (Accounting, Business Studies, Computer Studies, Music, etc)

Five scores of ‘C’ or higher indicates a students readiness to pursue +2 level qualifications, like the Class 12 CBSE, IB Diploma, Advanced Placement Diploma (US), etc.

What is the basic Fees in schools with IGCSE Curriculum?

Well, to be clear, fees in the schools offering IGCSE curriculum is a little more than that for CBSE/ICSE. There are other factors to this higher fees and can be compromised on reasonable arguments

1. This course curriculum as a lot more to offer in personality development than other traditional Indian curriculum.
2. Teachers in these schools are selected under a standard recruitment process and undergo special training sessions accepted worldwide, thereby increasing chance of quality pedagogy.
3. Internationally acclaimed course structure.
4. Schools are provided license and affiliations to this course only after a rigorous  check of Infrastructure and facilities by International Auditing committee namely CIE/Edexcel.

Why should You go for IGCSE curriculum?

International Schools for your kids

1. IGCSE is one of the most sought-after and recognised qualifications in the world. It develops and encourages vital educational skills, including oral skills, investigative skills, problem solving, team work, recall of knowledge, and initiative.

2.  The IGCSE programme has worldwide status and credibility. It is recognized by the Association of Indian Universities (AIU) as being at par with CBSE, ICSE, etc.

3.  Worldwide, it is delivered in schools in over 140 countries and is recognised by colleges and universities everywhere, more so in the UK and other Commonwealth countries.

4.  The IGCSE curriculum is balanced and lends an international perspective to studies. It also takes account of differing abilities of students.

5.  IGCSE students can take advantage of the Cambridge Checkpoint, a diagnostic service comprising of standardised tests, that pin-points a student’s strengths and weaknesses in key curriculum areas.

What are the Cons of IGCSE curriculum?

To list few:

1. Scarce penetration in Indian cities. Presently mostly available in bigger cities only.
2. A little higher fees
3. Slightly higher academic standards may be a point of concern for students from state boards.

For further details of subjects offered and prospects of IGCSE curriculum click here

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