Telangana to implement 10+2 education system from next academic year
Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy directed officials to restructure schooling into primary, secondary and senior secondary stages to improve quality.
The Telangana government will introduce a 10+2 education system starting from the next academic year, according to reports by The New Indian Express, Siasat and Telangana Today. Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy issued these directions to officials during a review meeting on Wednesday to improve the quality of education.
The new structure will categorise nursery to Class 4 as primary education, Classes 5 to 8 as secondary, and Classes 9 to 12 as senior secondary. The Chief Minister noted that 18 states already follow this 12-year schooling model. He stated that the reforms aim to equip students for the modern world and help them specialise in subjects of interest after Class 12.
Reddy expressed concern regarding the dropout rate after Class 10, noting that approximately 40 per cent of students discontinue their studies. He highlighted that girls and students from Dalit, tribal and minority communities are particularly affected. He observed that institutions like Kendriya Vidyalayas and Navodaya Vidyalayas, which provide education up to Class 12, maintain lower dropout rates.
The Chief Minister instructed officials to move welfare hostels and residential schools out of rented premises and build permanent facilities with proper infrastructure. He also ordered the installation of toilets with running water in all schools and hostels. Additionally, he called for the rapid upgrading of polytechnic colleges and the recruitment of university faculty.
The Intermediate Education Joint Action Committee (Inter Education JAC) has opposed merging intermediate education with school education. The committee demanded the withdrawal of the move, alleging it would harm students' academic prospects and competitive exam preparation. However, the Chief Minister assured that junior college lecturers and non-teaching staff will retain their service and retirement benefits.