Are International Schools Just a Fad or Are They Here to Stay?

When the first international schools were set up in India, while experts in the field of education welcomed them with open arms, most parents dismissed them as a trend and something that wasn’t suitable for the Indian ecosystem. But these international schools have proven the naysayers wrong by becoming the most popular option for parents looking to enrol their children in school nowadays. In fact, realising the many benefits, many parents are even moving their children to international schools in the middle of their academic journey!

International schools in Mumbai and other parts of the country primarily offer two international curriculums – the International Baccalaureate (IB) and the International General Certificate of Secondary Education (IGCSE). The IB offers 4 different programs:

-          Primary Years Programme for ages 3 to 12

-          Middle Years Programme for ages 11 to 16

-          Diploma Programme for ages 16 to 19

-          Career-related Programme for ages 16 to 19

The IGCSE is affiliated to the Cambridge Board, which is part of the University of Cambridge.

Both the IB and the IGCSE offer their students the chance to study a variety of subjects apart from the regular English, Science and Maths, thereby allowing them to follow their passions. In fact, the IGCSE is the most flexible curriculum in India as it allows students to choose from over 70 subjects! Both these international curriculums also encourage their students to explore beyond the classroom by proving them practical learning opportunities. Teachers in international schools are trained to help students become better leaders and team players, as well as inspire them to develop qualities such as curiosity, empathy, compassion and inquisitiveness that will help them in years to come. Such schools focus on creating citizens of the world who will go on to make a global impact rather than just creating smart minds who will score well in their exams.

In the first few years of their existence, international schools in India did find it hard to be accepted as many weren’t aware of their way of learning and its benefits. However, today, these schools are the top choice for parents. When it comes to admissions to Indian universities for students from international schools, that is no longer a problem as these universities now recognize international curriculums and have created standardized scores to ensure fairness to all applicants.

So, yes, international schools are definitely here to stay and in fact, are growing in number in various cities across India due to the rising popularity of the international curriculums like the IB and the IGCSE amongst Indian parents.