ISC preferred to CBSE in city

With the much-awaited ISC and CBSE class12 results being announced, the admission race to top colleges has just got tougher.
Nearly 4,632 CBSE and 912 ISC students cleared their 12th grade board exams in the state.

With admission procedures on in full-swing, students were seen rushing to colleges straight from internet cafes with printouts of their marksheets.

“I’ve just submitted my application forms at colleges. I hope my percentage earns me a seat in the first list in the college of my choice,” said Abhaya S, a CBSE passout.

Though most colleges have set aside seats for ICSE and CBSE students, there is a worry that competition might be too fierce and seats too few.

And not only colleges, admission to class 11 has also begun in schools. Sri Kumaran Children’s Home has already completed its admission procedure for class 11 students, science stream.

“A few seats are still available in the Commerce combination. Students have to clear an entrance test to secure admission,” said an official at Kumaran’s school.

The state’s performance in CBSE and ISC has been impressive with an overall pass percentage of 96.40 per cent and 99.56 per cent respectively. Many parents feel that after the 10th grade, ISC might be a better option, followed by the state run PUC board.

“I felt that my son stands a better chance at scoring a high percentage in ISC. I’ve asked him to consider that instead of joining PUC,” said Sridhar Rao, a parent.

The ICSE council which conducts the ISC exams has instructed heads of schools across India to ensure admissions to 9th and 11th grades are regularised by July 31 for ICSE and August 31 for ISC students.

According to educationists, the ISC versus CBSE debate doesn’t hold merit because both boards are considered student-friendly.

“ISC is not an easy course, but it is finding favour because there has been a recent jump in the standards and syllabi. The systematic approach towards finishing syllabus, hosting revisions and surprise tests help students to be better prepared and hence fare well in the exams,” said Abraham Ebenezer, principal, Ebenezer International School.

The large number of schools which secured 100 per cent results is also seen as a good indicator of the way ahead for students.
“There is a widely held perception that CBSE helps give students an edge over others in competitive exams. But in the case of ISC, careful syllabus planning has added to its appeal,” said Pritam Benjamin, educationist.

A tale of two central boards

Of the 2,104 girls who appeared for CBSE, 2,036 passed. In ISC, 426 girls appeared, 425 passed.

Of 2,701 boys who wrote the CBSE exam, 2,596 passed. In ISC, 478 boys out of 481 passed the exams.

Total pass percentage in Karnataka for CBSE was 96.40
percent, while for ISC was 99.56 percent.