Karnataka’s 375 private schools shift to CBSE in 3 years, experts cite perception | Bengaluru News
Bengaluru: As many as 375 private schools in Karnataka migrated from state syllabus to Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) between 2022 and 2024.According to data provided by the state govt in the legislative assembly, 62 schools converted to CBSE in 2022. The number increased drastically to 169 in 2023 and dropped marginally to 144 in 2024.“We see an increasing preference for central boards among private schools. Infrastructure norms for central boards are much more realistic, while those of state board are very rigid,” said D Shashi Kumar, secretary, Associated Managements of Primary and Secondary Schools of Karnataka.“Additionally, there is a substantial difference in the quality of curriculum offered by the boards. While from class 6, NCERT curriculum is used in state board schools, classes 1-5 follow a different model. We have been asking the state education department to bring a change to it, making the curriculum on par with national curriculum framework. Our demands have been unheard so far,” he added.Educationists said it is a matter of perception among parents that is driving the demand for central board schools. “The shift to central boards is driven largely by parental perception of quality and future advantage rather than by actual differences in syllabus. In our recent study covering 14,149 parents across Karnataka, nearly 47% said availability of CBSE or ICSE was a key reason for choosing private schools,” said Pramod Sridharamurthy, secretary of India Literacy Project operations.“While Karnataka state syllabus is broadly aligned with NCERT, parental choice is shaped more by perceived future opportunities associated with central boards than by detailed insight into curriculum, teaching practices or assessments. There is an opportunity for the state to make its existing conceptual and assessment rigour more visible and credible,” he added.Mohammed Shakeel, president of Voice of Parents, said the general perception is that CBSE and ICSE schools are of a better standard when compared to those of the state board. “Central boards have a pan-India presence, and the belief is that they are of better quality. Additionally, the perception is also that central boards are better for training for competitive exams as the question paper styles are similar,” he said.However, when it comes to the pre-university level, there is an increasing shift to PU from central board schools. TOI has reported that around 84,000 students from CBSE/ICSE shifted to PU in 2024.“There are various factors that make the central boards more attractive. Liberalisation of the state no-objection certificate for CBSE schools is a factor. NCERT syllabus and student-friendly examination system and reforms also make them popular over state board schools,” admitted a school education department official.BOX:What makes central boards more attractive– English medium– NCERT syllabus – Examination reforms – Liberalisation of state NoC for CBSE schools – Public perception that CBSE is better —-—BOX 2Year-wise migration 2022 – 62 2023 – 169 2024 – 144 Total – 375
