UAE Curricula Comparison: CBSE, IB, IGCSE, American

View profile for Dr. Usha Shinoj Poovathra

VICE PRINCIPAL / ACTING PRINCIPAL @ GULF MODEL SCHOOL | Microsoft Education Partner, Innovative Educator, Mentor, Coach

Dear Educators, As educators, mentors, and leaders, you may have encountered various curricula throughout your academic journey. Within the framework of UAE inspections, how would you clearly differentiate the four most popular curricula in the UAE—CBSE, IB, IGCSE, and American—in terms of teaching, learning, and assessment? In UAE, the mentioned curricula are offered under the supervision of various educational regulators While inspection frameworks focus on teaching, learning, and assessment, each curriculum carries distinct expectations in pedagogy, and evaluation.Let us see how it works....!! 📊 Comparison of CBSE, IB, IGCSE, and American Curricula in UAE Inspection Framework. Overview of Major Curricula in UAE Schools 1. CBSE (Central Board of Secondary Education) ✳️Teaching & Learning: Teacher-led, content-heavy, focus on syllabus completion and exam prep; increasing push for critical thinking and active learning. ✳️Assessment: Exam-oriented (Grades 10 & 12); formal continuous assessments; UAE inspections emphasize formative assessment, feedback, and alignment with TIMSS/PISA targets. 2. IB (International Baccalaureate) ✳️Teaching & Learning: Student-centered, inquiry-driven, promotes research, reflection, global perspectives, and independent thinking; aligns well with UAE inspection expectations. ✳️Assessment: Mix of internal/external assessments, portfolios, presentations; emphasizes higher-order thinking, continuous feedback, and formative practices. 3. IGCSE (Cambridge/Pearson Edexcel) ✳️Teaching & Learning: Balanced content mastery and skill development; focus on conceptual understanding, scientific inquiry, problem-solving; differentiation for diverse learners expected. ✳️Assessment: Modular exams (Core/Extended, O/AS/A Levels), practicals, coursework; stronger analytical focus than CBSE; UAE inspections look at skill integration alongside exam prep. 4. American Curriculum ✳️Teaching & Learning: Broad, flexible, standards-based; project-based learning, student engagement, and continuous feedback emphasized. ✳️Assessment: Continuous evaluation through GPA, projects, presentations; standardized tests (MAP, PSAT, SAT, AP) benchmark performance; inspections highlight formative assessment strengths and academic consistency. Inspection Focus (KHDA, ADEK, SPEA, MOE) ✳️Teaching & Learning: Planning, delivery, engagement, critical thinking, innovation. ✳️Assessment: Balance of formative/summative, feedback, data-driven improvement, alignment with benchmarks. National Priorities: UAE Vision 2030, TIMSS/PISA readiness, Arabic/Islamic Education, Moral Education, Emirati culture. As educators, we believe that every curriculum must be designed not just to deliver content, but to actively shape pedagogy. Each curriculum should foster critical thinking, creativity, and holistic development, preparing students to become independent, reflective, and globally competent learners. Dr. Usha Shinoj Poovathra

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Dr Rashida Sharif

Former HMI. Member Board Of Trustees at free@last and The Lunar Society

1mo

Thank you Dr. Usha. This is a helpful summary although I’m familiar with them through my inspection work. Thank you 🙏

Razia Begum

Teacher at Global rabbee

3w

Looking for this exact information for a long time. Thank you very much.

Dr. Ahmed Mohamed

Lecturer with Ph.D. in Education | Curriculum Development Expert | Arabic Curriculum Development Advisor | Educational consultant | HOD Arabic Language | Arabic L. Coordinator | Arabic L. Teacher (IGCSE - IB MYP, DP)

1mo

Great, thanks Dr. Usha

Faris Al Khazraji

Former Senior Bilingual inspecter at Knowledge & Human Development Authority

4w

The UAE Framework adopts universal best practices in teaching and learning that apply across all curricula. This does not imply that other instructional strategies are ineffective; in fact, educators recognize that there are hundreds of strategies available to classroom teachers. However, it is not practical to include all possible approaches within a single framework for evaluating teaching quality. Therefore, KHDA has selected a set of evidence-based best practices that are applicable regardless of curriculum. At the same time, inspection teams always take the specific curriculum context into account when evaluating lessons and making professional judgments.

KIRAN KHODE

English Language Trainer at ASPIRE, The Institute Of Human Development

4w

Very helpful...

Kuldeep Jangid

Mathematics Educator | Olympiad Trainer | Content Creator at Numinous Learning | Helping Students Build Strong Problem-Solving Skills

2w

Helpful, thanks Dr. Usha

Dr. Osama Abdul Rahim (OJ Rahim)

International Schools Inspector/Education Consultant at Education Development Trust

4w

According to the UAE School Inspection Framework (UAESIF), teaching, learning, and assessment are never judged by curriculum type or pedagogical style — only by their effectiveness and impact on students’ achievement. The real question is how far students are progressing, and how well assessment is driving that progress. I fully agree that, irrespective of the curriculum, critical thinking, inquiry, research, independent learning, creativity, and innovation are key skills that must be woven into the very fabric of provision.

Marike Benadie

>Experienced Language Teacher 15+ Years Empowering Young Learners Ready to Bring My Passion to New Zealand Classrooms

4w

Very helpful

Praveen Singh

freelancer, currently working as school teacher

4w

Thanks for sharing, We need a mix of all that suits best for the individual childs overall growth

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