In a significant trend reshaping Karnataka's educational landscape, a total of 375 private schools have abandoned the state syllabus in favour of the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) curriculum over a three-year period. Official data presented in the state legislative assembly reveals a sharp rise in this migration, highlighting a growing preference for national boards among private institutions.
The Surge in CBSE Conversions: Year-by-Year Breakdown
The shift began with 62 schools making the switch in 2022. This number saw a dramatic increase, nearly tripling to 169 schools in 2023. Although there was a slight dip, the movement remained substantial in 2024, with 144 schools opting for CBSE. The cumulative figure from 2022 to 2024 stands at 375, indicating a clear directional change.
D Shashi Kumar, Secretary of the Associated Managements of Primary and Secondary Schools in Karnataka, explained the rationale behind this exodus. He pointed to more realistic infrastructure norms under central boards compared to the "very rigid" requirements of the state board. Furthermore, he highlighted a critical curriculum disconnect.
"While from class 6, NCERT curriculum is used in state board schools, classes 1-5 follow a different model," Kumar stated. He added that repeated appeals to the state education department to align the entire curriculum with the national framework have gone unheeded, pushing schools towards CBSE.
Parental Perception: The Driving Force Behind the Shift
Education experts assert that the migration is fueled more by perception than pedagogical substance. Pramod Sridharamurthy, Secretary of India Literacy Project operations, cited a comprehensive study covering 14,149 parents across Karnataka.
"Nearly 47% said availability of CBSE or ICSE was a key reason for choosing private schools," he revealed. The choice, he argued, is shaped by perceived future opportunities and advantages linked to central boards, rather than a deep understanding of teaching practices or assessments.
This sentiment is echoed by Mohammed Shakeel, President of Voice of Parents. "The general perception is that CBSE and ICSE schools are of a better standard," Shakeel said. He noted the pan-India presence of these boards and the belief that their question paper styles offer better preparation for competitive examinations.
Attractions and a Counter-Trend at PU Level
A state school education department official acknowledged several factors making central boards attractive:
- Liberalisation of the No-Objection Certificate (NoC) process for CBSE schools.
- Adoption of the NCERT syllabus.
- A student-friendly examination system and ongoing reforms.
However, an interesting counter-trend emerges at the pre-university (PU) level. Contrary to the school-level shift, data indicates a reverse movement, with approximately 84,000 students from CBSE and ICSE backgrounds joining state PU colleges in 2024. This suggests that while CBSE is preferred for foundational and secondary education, the state's PU system retains its appeal for higher secondary studies.
Experts like Sridharamurthy see an opportunity for the state board. "There is an opportunity for the state to make its existing conceptual and assessment rigour more visible and credible," he suggested, indicating that better communication of its strengths could stem the tide.
The mass migration of hundreds of schools underscores a critical challenge for Karnataka's state education syllabus. It must address issues of perception, administrative flexibility, and curriculum consistency if it aims to retain its affiliated institutions in the long run.
