Thiruvananthapuram: Schools offering CBSE and ICSE syllabi in Kerala have witnessed a significant dip in student strength over the last four years, according to data obtained under the RTI Act. Incidentally, schools imparting state syllabus have been facing this issue for several years now.

As per the data, the number of students enrolled in Central syllabus schools (CBSE (Central Board of Secondary Education) and ICSE (Central Board of Secondary Education)) in Kerala fell by 1.42 lakh over the last four years. There was also a considerable reduction in the flow of students from CBSE-ICSE schools to the state syllabus after Class 10.
However, there was an increase in the number of students continuing higher secondary education in Central syllabus schools.

CBSE schools
According to the authorities, 9.25 lakh students were studying in CBSE schools in the state up to class 10 during the academic year 2018-19. This number fell to 7.99 lakh students in 2022-23. (The figures for 2023-24 were not available). This indicates a fall of 1,26,618 students.
Currently, over one lakh students attend CBSE schools in Ernakulam district alone.

ICSE schools
The Kerala Education Department also said that the number of students in ICSE schools in the state decreased from 1,25,022 to 1,09,119 during the same period. This was a fall of 15,903 students.

Plus One admissions
The data reveals that 42,892 students who cleared Class 10 from Central syllabus schools shifted to state syllabus school for Plus One (Class 11) in 2018-19. But, this number decreased to 31,697 students in 2022-23, which was a difference of 11,195 over these four years.

At the same time, the admissions to Class 11 in CBSE schools increased by 4236 students and in ICSE schools by 101 students over the same period.
Before 2019, several students preferred to shift to state syllabus schools from CBSE schools after Class 10 as it was easier to score marks in higher secondary in Kerala curriculum. Moreover, the state government awarded grace marks for achievements in extracurricular activities. Such a situation improved the chances of students in state syllabus schools to gain admission to professional courses. However, after 2019, equalization of class 12 marks granted by different boards was introduced for admissions to professional courses. Moreover, the Kerala government introduced restrictions on awarding grace marks.

Reasons for decline
Several reasons have been suggested for the fall in student strength in Kerala’s schools in recent years. They include an overall decrease in population and increase in migration.

The facts were released by the General Education Department based on a query under the RTI Act from S Manoj, general secretary of the teachers’ organisation AHSTA.