Daijiworld Media Network - Hyderabad
Hyderabad, Nov 11: The Telangana government will introduce the 10+2 education system in the state from the next academic year, following a decision taken at a review meeting chaired by Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy on Wednesday.
The Chief Minister said the education reforms were aimed at safeguarding students' interests and preparing them to meet the demands of the modern world through quality education, from nursery to university level.
He directed officials to structure the education system into three stages — primary education from nursery to Class 4, secondary education from Classes 5 to 8, and senior secondary education from Classes 9 to 12.
Revanth Reddy stressed that students should develop complete mastery of language and communication skills by the time they complete Class 12. Thereafter, they should be able to pursue subjects of their choice and specialise in their respective fields.
The state government had earlier decided, following a recommendation by the Telangana Education Commission, to merge Intermediate education (Classes 11 and 12) with the school education system from the 2026 academic year. However, the decision was deferred due to limited time for admissions and technical hurdles involved in implementing the merger.
The commission had recommended scrapping the Intermediate system and introducing Classes 11 and 12 within the school education structure, in line with the CBSE model. It had maintained that the move would significantly reduce student dropout rates.
During Wednesday's meeting, officials briefed the Chief Minister on the progress made so far. Revanth Reddy pointed out that an average of 40 per cent of students discontinue education after Class 10, with girls and children from Dalit, tribal and minority communities forming a major share of those dropping out.
He observed that dropout rates were considerably lower in institutions such as Kendriya Vidyalayas, Navodaya Vidyalayas and Kasturba Gandhi Balika Vidyalayas, which provide continuous education up to Class 12. He also noted that 18 states across the country have already adopted a system that offers education up to the 12th grade.
The Chief Minister further directed that welfare hostels and residential schools in Telangana should not operate from rented buildings under any circumstances. He instructed officials to initiate immediate steps to construct facilities equipped with all necessary infrastructure and assured that funds would be released for the purpose.
Reviewing the Young India Integrated Residential Schools (YIIRS) project, Revanth Reddy asked engineering officials to speed up construction and ensure completion within the stipulated timelines. He also directed officials to appoint reputed agencies for landscaping, interior design, procurement of digital equipment, sports equipment and kitchen facilities, stressing that quality should not be compromised.
He also reviewed schools being constructed under the Comprehensive Urban Redevelopment/Renewal (CURE) initiative. Expressing satisfaction over the progress, he directed officials to focus immediately on locations where construction work is yet to begin.
The Chief Minister noted that the upgrading of Industrial Training Institutes (ITIs) into Advanced Training Centres (ATCs) had led to increased student enrolment, with all trainees securing employment. He also directed officials to expedite the release of funds required for upgrading polytechnic colleges.