For a child entering the age of 14, quality secondary education provides the foundational knowledge and skills required for students to pursue further higher education. It sets the stage for specialized fields of study and career paths, equips individuals with the knowledge, skills, and attitudes necessary to lead fulfilling lives and make meaningful contributions to society.
Quality secondary education in a good school successfully instils a love for learning and encourages students to continue their education beyond high school. The spirit of lifelong learning is crucial in a rapidly changing world, where acquiring new skills and knowledge is essential for career growth and personal fulfilment.
There are a number of educational boards in Kolkata offering secondary education and therefore now, students have a wide range of options to choose from. The most popular boards in Kolkata are:
- CBSE: CBSE or Central Board of Secondary Education is a national level educational board controlled by the Government of India. Both private and government run schools across most of the states in India have the CBSE curriculum. CBSE emphasizes on skill-based education. It is highly inclusive offering student education in both English as well as local/state language.
- CICSE: CICSE or Council of Indian Certificate of Secondary Education is a private board of secondary education in India which conducts ICSE or the Indian Certificate of Secondary Education.
- State Boards: Apart for above educational boards offering secondary education in India, state boards like the West Bengal Board of Secondary Education, too, offer secondary education for students studying in state run schools across the country.
- Cambridge IGCSE: IGCSE or the International General Certificate of Secondary Education is the world’s most popular international certificate for secondary education. IGCSE is conducted by the Cambridge Assessment International Education, a part of University of Cambridge. In India, the board has gradually increased its presence with students finding an alternative to existing national level educational boards.
IGCSE is one educational board that focuses on knowledge and its application than just marks. This board is ideal for students who are interested to pursue their higher education abroad. From Science, Commerce, languages and Humanities, IGCSE offers students wide range subjects as per their choice.
Secondary School Admissions in Kolkata: Admission Procedure
Admission to IGCSE Class IX
For admission to IGCSE Class IX, different schools have their own set of rules. In Kolkata there are several schools offering the Cambridge IGCSE curriculum. Most of the schools follow these rules for admission:
- Students seeking admission will have to appear for an Aptitude Test in English, Mathematics and Second Language to qualify for admission.
- Students are also required to undergo personal interview with the principal of the school.
- Admission is confirmed only after assessing the performance of the child in the Aptitude Test and Personal Interview.
Documents required for Admission:
- Certified copy of child’s Birth Certificate.
- Certified copy each of details including dates and grades of any Public/Board Examinations already taken (if applicable).
- Copy of the Transfer Certificate
Admission to CISCE Class IX: Admission to CISCE Class IX is open to students who have completed their Class VIII schooling from any school recognized by CISCE or any other recognized board. Students seeking admission in Class IX are required to produce:
- Transfer Certificate signed by the Head of the Institution last attended.
- Character certificate issued by the school/institution last attended.
- Eighth class marksheet from the previous school.
- Certified copy of child’s Birth Certificate
Secondary School Admissions in Kolkata: Admission Procedure
Admission to IGCSE Class IX
For admission to IGCSE Class IX, schools have their own set of rules. In India there are over 400 schools offering Cambridge IGCSE curriculum. Most of the schools follow these rules for admission:
- Students seeking admission will have to appear for an Aptitude Test in English, Mathematics and Second Language to qualify for admission.
- Students are also required to undergo personal interview with the respective Coordinators of the Class.
- Admission is confirmed only after assessing the performance of the child in the Aptitude Test and Personal Interview.
Documents required for Admission:
- Certified copy of Child’s Birth Certificate.
- Certified copy each of details including dates and grades of any Public/Board Examinations already taken (if applicable).
- Copy of the Transfer Certificate
Every state has its own list of Best Schools offering Cambridge IGCSE education. The Cambridge School, Calcutta is one of the best schools offering IGCSE education in Kolkata.
Admission to CBSE Class IX: Admission to Class IX of a CBSE recognized school are open only to a student who has passed class VIII examination from an institution affiliated to CBSE or to any recognized Board or is recognized by the Education Department of the Government of the State/UT where the institution is located.
A student seeking admission must produce:
(a) The School Leaving Certificate/Transfer Certificate signed by the Head of the Institution last attended and countersigned
(b) Document(s) in support of his/her having passed the qualifying or equivalent qualifying examination; and
*(c) Date of Birth Certificate issued by the Registrar of Birth and Deaths, where-ever existing, as proof of date of birth.
Every school has their own set of pre-determined fees for student’s admission. Both private and government schools are registered under CBSE therefore there is a huge difference in fees between a private and a government school.