Telangana to integrate Classes 11 and 12 into school system
Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy announced the removal of separate intermediate colleges starting from the next academic year.
The Telangana government will merge Classes 11 and 12 into the school system from the next academic year, according to The Indian Express. Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy announced the overhaul during an education department review meeting in Hyderabad on November 11.
The proposed structure divides education into primary (nursery to Class 4), secondary (Classes 5 to 8), and senior secondary (Classes 9 to 12). This move replaces the current two-tier system where students must move from the School Education Department to the Telangana Board of Intermediate Education after Class 10.
Reddy stated that approximately 40 per cent of students, primarily girls and those from Dalit, tribal, and minority groups, stop their education after Class 10. He noted that institutions providing continuous education up to Class 12, such as Kendriya Vidyalayas and Navodaya Vidyalayas, see lower dropout rates.
The Chief Minister said the reforms aim to provide quality instruction from nursery to university to help students compete globally. He added that students should develop communication skills by Class 12 and then have the opportunity to specialise in subjects of interest.
Addressing concerns regarding the transition, Reddy assured that the retirement and employment benefits for non-teaching staff and junior college lecturers will remain unchanged. He also directed officials to improve government school facilities and expedite recruitment for professors in state universities.