India sees a rapid rise in international schools as middle-class families opt for global curriculums to secure better futures for their children
Once considered a luxury for the elite, international schooling in India has now become a mainstream choice. India is now home to the second-largest number of international schools worldwide, both in terms of their names and affiliations with global education boards, reported timesofindia.indiatimes.com.
International schooling growth reflects a shift in educational priorities among Indian parents
Over the past decade, an increasing number of middle-class families across India have faced a pivotal question: Should their children continue with the traditional Indian education system, or should they opt for a foreign curriculum offered by international schools? At the beginning of this century, international schools in India were few and far between, with just eight schools offering the IB program and even fewer schools offering the Cambridge IGCSE.
By 2011-12, the number of schools offering these programs had expanded significantly, with Cambridge International and the International Baccalaureate boasting 197 and 99 schools, respectively
Recent data from ISC Research reveals that India hosted 884 international schools in 2019, and by January 2025, the number had risen to 972. This represents a 10% growth over five years, outpacing the global growth rate of 8%, which now totals 14,833 international schools worldwide.
As the number of international schools in India continues to rise, parents are increasingly looking to ensure their children are well-equipped for the global job market, fueling demand for alternative educational paths that promise a competitive edge.
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