– Mita Mukhejee

The Council for the Indian School Certificate Examinations ( CISCE) receives nearly 500 applications from various organisations in the country for opening new ICSE schools every year and it grants affiliation to close to 300 new institutions a year which shows there is growing demand for CISCE affiliated schools, Joseph Emmanuel, chief executive officer and secretary of the CISCE said.

The ICSE (Class X) and ISC (Class XII) is known to be among the few best courses in the country for multiple reasons which is why private organisations are increasingly showing interest to set up new ICSE schools,” the CISCE chief said. For example, according to him, the CISCE follows a very “student-friendly” curriculum. “Students studying in ICSE schools develop better linguistic ability and better understanding. It also follows an ‘open-approach’ policy in respect to certain important academic matters. For example, the council does not prescribe text books. The schools have the freedom to choose their own text books,” the CISCE head said.

The council, however, thoroughly examines the infrastructure and other facilities before it grants affiliations to new schools. They are given the affiliation only after rigorous screening in tune with its strict policy to ensure each and every school under it offers high standard education.“We usually get 500 applications for setting up ICSE schools every year. But only 200 to 300 schools are granted affiliation in a year. Last year 300 schools got affiliation. We want expansion but at the same time we are also focusing on quality, particularly on infrastructure and high standard teaching and learning facility. We are conscious about quality because we can’t be alternatives to state boards,” Emmanuel told EducationWorld.

Even though ICSE schools are one of the most sought-after institutions among parents wanting their wards to educate in private English medium schools and the trend is noticed in most parts of India, many students from council affiliated schools migrate to other boards like CBSE for studying Classes XI and XII, a trend that started nearly a decade ago.Around one lakh out 2.5 lakh students from CISCE schools move to other boards after Class X because many parents believe that CBSE and state boards better prepare students for cracking the all-India entrance examinations for admissions to undergraduate courses in Engineering, medical, law and many other fields. According to Emmanuel, the council has found out that ISC schools are doing extremely well and it is not true that students move to other boards only with an aim to crack the competitive exams.

According to data available in the council, 70 percent of CISCE students clear CUET, medical and engineering exams and secure top ranks in such tests.Some states like Tamil Nadu, Maharashtra, Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh give additional weightage to students from state boards for admission to undergraduate courses and this is one of the reasons for the exodus, he said.The ISC and CBSE courses are “equally good” and schools should take the responsibility to retain their students, Emmanuel said.

“The problem can be addressed if schools give a clear picture to students and parents about the strength of the course much in advance, say from Class VI. Students need to be convinced about the advantages of the CISCE curriculum.“Some students leave as they believe that state or CBSE board would be easier than ISC. CISCE curriculum is not easy. Students must be convinced about the council’s policy. The CISCE courses are designed not just for cracking exams. We want to prepare every child for life,” the council head said

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