Overview
- In India, several curriculum and school education boards govern the education system. These bodies develop syllabi, resources and standardized examinations against the National Curriculum Framework for Grades 9-12.
- Such bodies include the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE), the Council for the Indian School Certificate Examinations (CISCE) and the Kerala State Education Board (KSEB).
- Indian schools within Abu Dhabi affiliate to either the CBSE or KSEB.
Progression
- While compulsory education begins from age 6, most Indian schools offer two to four years of pre-school education to prepare children for entry to formal schooling at age 6.
- The Academic year for Indian schools runs from April to March.
- Students complete 10 years of schooling to obtain a Secondary School Certificate (SSC) or 12 years of schooling to obtain a Higher Secondary School Certificate (HSSC).
- Students in the KSEB-affiliated schools may choose between Science or Commerce streams for Grade 11 and 12.
- Grade 9-10 students in the CBSE-affiliated schools study 2 languages, Mathematics, Science, Social Science, Art, Health and Physical Education and 2 electives of their choice. A skill subject and an academic subject.
- For Grades 11-12, CBSE students must study Hindi, English and choose from a wide range of skill-based or academic subjects.
|
Stage |
Age |
Grade/Class |
|---|---|---|
|
Pre- Kindergarten |
2-3 |
Playgroup |
|
3-4 |
Nursery |
|
|
Kindergarten |
4-5 |
Lower KG |
|
5-6 |
Upper KG |
|
|
Lower Primary |
6-7 |
1 |
|
7-8 |
2 |
|
|
8-9 |
3 |
|
|
9-10 |
4 |
|
|
Upper Primary |
10-11 |
5 |
|
11-12 |
6 |
|
|
12-13 |
7 |
|
|
High School |
13-14 |
8 |
|
14-15 |
9 |
|
|
15-16 |
10 |
|
|
Higher Secondary |
16-17 |
11 |
|
17-18 |
12 |
Assessments
- Assessments at the primary level are mostly internally developed and administered by schools.
- For CBSE students:
- The All India Secondary School Examination (AISSE) is conducted at the end of Grade 10 to award a secondary school certificate.
- The All India Senior School Certificate Examination (AISSCE) is awarded at the end of Grade 12.
- These examinations are designed and administered by the Central Board of Secondary Education, India.
- For KSEB students:
- The Kerala Board of Public Examinations (KBPE) develops and marks end of year examinations administered in Grade 10, including languages, Mathematics and Sciences.
- Students then take the Grade 11 and Grade 12 (referred to as HSE+1 and HSE+2 respectively) exams to earn a Higher Secondary Certificate.
- All students in Grades 3-9 studying the Indian curriculum must take EI-ASSET or ACER-IBT assessment in English, Math and Science.
Accreditation
- Indian schools are required to participate in affiliation schemes developed by the various curriculum and school education boards in India, e.g., Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) and Kerala State Education Board (KSEB).
- By participating in affiliation, schools establish a recognized association or ‘partnership’ with a board of their choice. Without affiliation, schools cannot deliver courses nor administer associated examinations up to Grade 12.