The Kerala Higher Secondary Education (HSE) system has witnessed a significant decline in new admissions, particularly among students transitioning from CBSE and ICSE syllabi. In 2020, 37,772 CBSE students (51.65%) moved to the Kerala syllabus for their higher secondary education. However, in 2024, this number has dropped drastically to 19,382 students, accounting for only 32.43%. Similarly, the percentage of ICSE students transitioning has declined from 46.95% in 2020 to just 31.72% in 2024.
This shift can be attributed to several factors. During the COVID-19 pandemic, financial constraints led many CBSE students to choose the Kerala syllabus due to its lower fees. Additionally, the Kerala syllabus’ higher success rates, coupled with marks-based admissions in institutions like Delhi University, made it an attractive option.
However, recent changes, including the introduction of common entrance exams like KEAM and the mark equalization process, have posed challenges for Kerala syllabus students. These students often face lower success rates in competitive exams compared to their CBSE and ICSE counterparts, influencing many to remain in the central syllabi.
Critics also argue that an emphasis on boosting success rates in the Kerala syllabus, often through inflated marks, might have compromised the overall quality of education, further impacting student preferences. This trend highlights the need for systemic improvements to address these challenges.
