Telangana to scrap intermediate colleges, bring 10+2 system to regular schools

Telangana is set to do away with its separate Intermediate education system and bring Classes 11 and 12 under the school education framework from the 2027-28 academic year.Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy announced the decision following a review meeting of the Education Department on November 11. Under the proposed restructuring, junior colleges will no longer function as a separate stage of education, with students continuing their schooling up to Class 12 within the integrated system.The move marks a significant shift in Telangana's education structure, where students currently move from schools to separate junior colleges after completing their Class 10 examinations.NEW SCHOOL EDUCATION STRUCTURE TO BE INTRODUCEDAs part of the proposed reform, the state government plans to reorganise the education system into three broad stages:Primary education: Nursery to Class 4Secondary education: Classes 5 to 8Senior secondary education: Classes 9 to 12The proposed structure will bring the two years of Intermediate education within the school education system.Currently, school education up to Class 10 is administered by the School Education Department (TSBIE), while Intermediate education is governed separately by the Telangana Board of Intermediate Education. The proposed merger is expected to bring both stages under a more integrated administrative framework.40 PER CENT STUDENTS DROP OUT AFTER CLASS 10, SAYS CMOne of the major reasons behind the proposed reform is the high number of students discontinuing their education after Class 10.According to the state government, around 40 per cent of students, particularly girls and those belonging to Dalit, tribal and minority communities, do not continue to Intermediate education after completing secondary school.Revanth Reddy highlighted the relatively lower dropout rates in institutions such as Kendriya Vidyalayas, Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalayas and Kasturba Gandhi Balika Vidyalayas, which provide education up to Class 12.The government believes that making senior secondary education more accessible through schools could encourage more students to continue their studies.FOCUS ON COMMUNICATION SKILLS AND CAREER OPPORTUNITIESThe Chief Minister said the proposed reforms are aimed at improving the overall quality of education, from the foundational stage to university level.The government also plans to place greater emphasis on language proficiency and communication skills, ensuring that students develop these abilities by the time they complete Class 12.Revanth Reddy said students should have the opportunity to pursue subjects of their choice after Class 12 and develop expertise in their preferred fields.The broader objective, according to the government, is to prepare students to compete in a changing global environment and access emerging academic and professional opportunities.WHAT HAPPENS TO JUNIOR COLLEGES AND INTERMEDIATE EXAMINATIONS?The proposed transition will require significant administrative and institutional changes, as Intermediate education currently operates under a separate board.The government will need to work out the integration of existing junior colleges, teaching staff, academic administration and examination arrangements into the new framework.The announcement also raises questions about how existing Intermediate courses and subject combinations will be accommodated within the revised structure.Further clarity is expected as the state works towards implementing the reform from the 2027-28 academic year.Under the current arrangement, students complete their Class 10 examinations before moving to junior colleges for the first and second years of Intermediate education.The proposed change seeks to remove this institutional divide and create a continuous school education pathway up to Class 12.- Ends