Do you know the child’s higher education, the career they choose or even the kind of characteristics they develop is largely dependent on the curriculum they study? 

According to Univariety’s PACE survey 2020, 67% of parents do not know the curriculum options available for their children. 

From 17,000 parents across 122 cities, 54% of them felt unsure and more than 40% said they rely on friends for advice when it comes to curriculum. 

While it’s clear that parents opting for curriculum are rarely backed by expert guidance and detailed research.

When choosing a Dubai international school, facilities and other things are essential but the curriculum is an important factor as your child’s future depends on it. 

Imagine you choose a board that doesn’t align with you and your child’s dreams! Scary isn’t it? You don’t want that to happen right? A smooth transition from School to University and a Successful career are few important things all parents wish for.

So, How do you know what’s the right curriculum for your child?

Parents should consider major points like their child’s ambitions and what different boards offer? Parents should know what they want their child to focus on? Academics or flexibility in subject choice and focus on the overall development of your child?

There are many factors that need to be considered that will help you understand how to choose the right curriculum for your child. 

  1. Holistic approach in Education 

A Curriculum should have a holistic approach, adapting to newer ways that help students get more than bookish knowledge. The curriculum should have a comprehensive approach where educators seek to address the emotional, social, ethical, and academic needs of students in an integrated learning format.

 For eg:- Giving students projects that encourage critical-thinking skills toward solving real-world problems.

  1. Subject Flexibility

Understanding what’s your child’s favourite subject choice and what are your and their future plans can help you to choose a curriculum.

  • The CBSE has pre-set combinations of subjects for primary and secondary school. 
  • While ICSE follows a similar pattern of streams, along with additional subjects.
  • IB provides a choice of six different subject groups, along with three compulsory subjects: Cambridge offers a choice of 70 different subject options.
  1. Overall Personality Development

A child’s early years are the foundation years. Providing them with the right environment and the right guidance from teachers will aid in the development of their personality. CBSE, IB and Cambridge all these boards focus on the personality development of the students. 

  1. Social Skills

Social skills are essential for success in life. Schooling is more about the socialization of children. It is in schools that your child will learn to interact and communicate effectively with peers and others. Find a curriculum that encourages or develops student’s social skills. 

  1. Value System

As per the former President of India, APJ Abdul Kalam, 

“The education system has the power to transform a child into a leader with the right values”.

Values-based Education is an approach where students are taught to work with values that last throughout their lives. It is essential to inculcate good moral values in children in the materialistic world and the best way is to impart through the school curriculum. 

  1. Higher Education

If you have plans to send your child for higher studies then the base for your child’s higher education begins with the curriculum they’re a part of. 

IB is the best curriculum to go for if you have a plan for higher studies. While the CBSE curriculum offers preparation for competitive exams like IIT and NEET, the international curriculum focuses on the overall development of students.

  1. Parental Involvement

Enrolling your child for the right curriculum and forgetting it later; leaving everything on child and teachers is the biggest mistake every parent does.

Each board requires a different level of participation from the parent at various stages of their child’s educational journey. Parents enrol their child in the curriculum but are later unable to dedicate time so decide to what extent are you ready to be involved in your child’s classwork, extracurricular activities? 

  1. School fees 

The school fees in Dubai can vary a lot from school to school.  A common mistake parents make by choosing a curriculum is they think that higher education cost means a good curriculum. Just because you can afford it doesn’t mean it is the best. There are many Dubai international schools that provide excellent curricula at an affordable fee. 

  1. 21st-Century Skills

The need of the hour is 21st-century skills. A curriculum that offers

collaboration, innovation, critical thinking, and communication is the right choice.

Both IB and CBSE provides 21st-Century Skills

  1. Assessment Style of Each Curricula

Every curriculum relies on a different assessment format in order to determine if students are adequately retaining knowledge and developing skills

IB and CBSE – Teachers spend more time observing students and assessing them on an individual basis.

The GIIS Dubai International School, offers a variety of curriculum:

  • Global Montessori Plus:- Available for early childhood (ages of 2.5 and 5 years old).
  • CBSE – Available to primary and secondary students (from Grade 1 to 12).
  • IB Diploma Programme -Available to upper secondary students (Grade 11 and 12).

A great curriculum is a collaboration of experience, knowledge, understanding of children, and proven methods for helping children learn and succeed. If you are choosing a curriculum, you deserve to have a child-focused program.