Curriculum and Competence: Exploring the Impact of CBSE and Kerala State Syllabus on English Proficiency among Undergraduate Students from Calicut University
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Abstract
This comparative research study investigates the influence of the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) and the Kerala State Syllabus on the English language proficiency of undergraduate students under Calicut University. Recognising English as a gateway to academic success and global communication, the research examines how pedagogical approaches, curricular structures, and instructional strategies shape linguistic competence. Grounded in Communicative Language Teaching (CLT) and Discourse-Oriented Pedagogy (DOP), the study evaluates a sample of 125 students from five colleges using stratified random sampling. Data were collected through a validated 54-item questionnaire and analysed using Chi-Square and Independent Sample t-tests.
Findings reveal that CBSE students exhibit significantly higher fluency (71%) and vocabulary strength (78%) compared to their Kerala State counterparts (26% and 49%, respectively). This performance is attributed to CBSE's structured, grammar-intensive curriculum and its emphasis on oral communication. However, Kerala State students demonstrated stronger engagement in cultural and social activities (89%), critical thinking, and ICT-based learning (73%), fostered by their discourse-driven pedagogy. Writing skills showed parity across both groups, while role-play and contextual learning were more prevalent in the Kerala State system.
The study highlights how CBSE’s rigidity favours academic excellence and fluency, while Kerala’s contextualized curriculum nurtures holistic development and cultural competence. These complementary strengths suggest the need for a hybrid curricular model that merges CBSE’s structural rigor with Kerala State’s social contextuality and interactive pedagogy. The findings offer critical insights for policymakers, educators, and curriculum developers seeking to enhance English proficiency equitably across educational systems.