Transition from NCTB curriculum to English

Ata Mojlish’s father died when he was in eighth grade at Dhaka Residential Model College (DRMC). Losing his father at such a young age made it difficult for him to focus on his studies, especially with his exams approaching.

Strict school rules about homework and attendance only added to the pressure, making it almost impossible to keep up with the pace teachers expected.

He wanted to study science after eighth grade, but the unwritten rule is that you cannot study science unless you have good grades in the Junior School Certificate (JSC) examination.

“My mental health deteriorated further due to the stress of not being able to study science if I do badly in the JSC exam. The thought of studying a dozen subjects in two years and appearing for exams in all subjects at once increased my stress levels,” Ata said.

As a result, he abandoned the National Curriculum and Textbook Board (NCTB).

Ata’s older brother suggested switching to the British curriculum, where he could take exams in only two or three subjects, thus easing the pressure of final exams. Unlike the NCTB curriculum, this system allowed him to choose subjects based on his interests.

NCTB vs English medium – what’s the difference?

Most of us are familiar with the traditional NCTB curriculum, which consists of the Primary Education Examination (PEC) followed by the Junior School Certificate (JSC). After JSC, students can choose from three majors: science, business or humanities.

Once a stream is selected, students have to study a set of pre-determined subjects under that stream. This leads to the Secondary School Certificate (SSC) and Higher Secondary School Certificate (HSC) examinations.

In contrast, many of us may not be as familiar with the English curriculum. Although there are several curricula, Cambridge and Edexcel are the most popular in Bangladesh. Apart from a few minor differences, these two curricula are broadly similar and are internationally recognized.

In English, the equivalent SSC exam is called Ordinary Levels (O-Levels), while the equivalent HSC is called Advanced Levels (A-Levels).

Unlike the NCTB curriculum, you don’t have to take pre-determined subjects in English – instead, you can choose subjects according to your goals and interests. For example, at English level you can study economics, physics and accounting at the same time, but in the NCTB curriculum this is simply impossible

If you are determined to study in a foreign university after your 12th grade, English may be a better option as it is more widely recognized around the world.

Which one is better?

“I don’t think one is objectively better than the other because both programs have their advantages and disadvantages, depending on the context,” Ata said.

Labib Tazwar Rahman, another student who also switched to English after completing HSC, agrees.

“I liked that I could choose subjects at A level, which I couldn’t do with the HSC. At A level, I was able to take additional courses in mathematics and statistics,” Labib said, adding: “Both programs have their advantages and disadvantages. For example, the British curriculum is more recognized by foreign universities, while the NCTB program is much less recognized.”

Many universities in Europe and some universities in Hong Kong are reluctant to recognize the NCTB curriculum.

“You can also spend your time doing other productive things (since less stressful curriculums provide free time),” he added. After passing his high school final exams, Labib got into Stanford University, where he studied computer science.

According to Labib, students in the NCTB program may find it easier to prepare for the entrance exams to public universities in Bangladesh. “Qualification for university entrance exams is less at risk because it is generally easier to get an A grade at HSC than at A level,” he noted.

Additionally, studying at an English secondary school is much more expensive than attending a school covered by the NCTB program.

Why do students decide to change?

The subjects taught in grades 9 to 12 largely determine a student’s field of study. “In class nine, students are often unable to choose the best stream (subject category) for themselves. Since the NCTB curriculum requires students to choose a stream at this stage, many of them dislike their classes and the subjects they (ultimately) study,” Ata explained.

Flexibility is another reason why many students decide to switch.

The British curriculum allows for greater flexibility in subject selection, something Labib has experienced first-hand. The combination of subjects he took at A level would not have been possible had he remained at NCTB.

Moreover, the examination system in the British curriculum varies significantly. It spreads the assessments over the entire examination period, rather than concentrating them in a short time frame as in the SSC or HSC. These two key reasons influence the decision of some students to switch from the NCTB program to the British program.

Nomrota Sarker, another student who decided to make the change, said: “After being bombarded with unrealistic expectations and enormous stress in the fifth grade, I felt devastated and wanted to find some relief.”

She first switched from the Bengali version of the NCTB syllabus to the English version after passing the Primary Education Examination (PEC). Later, after completing SSC, she switched to the British curriculum.

Procedure

This can be done in two ways – either within the school or by taking the exams as a private candidate.

To be admitted to the school, you must contact the school with documents from the previous institution. If you get into the school, your course and exam schedule will be provided by the school.

Some students choose the private option mainly because it costs less and is more flexible in the sense that you can study at your own pace.

You must register with the British Council, where you will receive an exam schedule and necessary instructions. In this case, you need to study on your own or in informal institutions such as coaching centers or home tutoring.

There is a third option – some schools allow you to take exams without attending classes – of course, at a lower price than ordinary students pay.

What challenges lie ahead?

Switching to an English medium can come with a variety of challenges beyond culture shock.

Labib points out: “Firstly, if you pass after SSC, A-level assumes you have the basic knowledge of O-level, which is not directly equivalent to SSC. This means you may need to study on your own to fill in any gaps in your understanding.”

“Secondly, the exam questions are very different from each other, so you should be prepared to work hard to adapt to the new format,” he added. Additionally, there is a minimum English language requirement to understand A-level questions, which can be a significant barrier for many students coming from SSC backgrounds.

“Achieving grades A or A* at A level can be much more difficult than at HSC because the grade boundaries are different,” he noted.

To excel in these exams, Labib recommends using effective study techniques such as active recall and spaced repetition to reinforce your learning. It emphasizes the importance of having a strong work ethic and discipline to motivate yourself without a structured routine.

Labib also suggests enrolling in school instead of pursuing private studies as some institutions offer study scholarships based on SSC results and extra-curricular activities.

Adjusting to a new group of peers at a different school can be difficult, especially since many students may come from different socioeconomic and cultural backgrounds. Labib advises making friends with serious, studious classmates because it can be mutually beneficial.

Should you make a change?

The answer is complex and not simple; it depends on a few key “ifs”. If you are determined to study in a foreign university after your 12th grade, English may be a better option as it is more widely recognized around the world.

Conversely, as Labib pointed out, if you plan to study at a public university in Bangladesh, taking an HSC rather than an A-level will likely serve you better. Therefore, switching to the British curriculum may not be the best choice.

If you’re not sure about your career path or what you want to study (which is common at this age), English offers the flexibility to explore a variety of subjects.

However, it should be noted that secondary English education incurs significantly higher costs than the NCTB curriculum. Given that education costs are a major concern for many families, this is an important factor to consider before making a change