End of a 55-year era for intermediate education in Telangana

The Telangana government has decided to merge intermediate education with the School Education Department and introduce a Class XII-based senior secondary system from the next academic year, effectively ending the standalone intermediate education structure that has existed for over five decades.

Hyderabad: It’s the end of a 55-year era for intermediate education in the State with the Telangana Congress government approving its merger with the School Education department.

During a review meeting on the Education department, Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy on Wednesday directed officials concerned to introduce a 10+2 education system from the next academic year, doing away with the Telangana Board of Intermediate Education.

This decision restructures school education into primary, secondary and senior secondary stages. The new classification will cover nursery to Class IV under primary education, Classes V to VIII under secondary education and Classes IX to XII under senior secondary education.

The intermediate education system, a brainchild of former Prime Minister PV Narasimha Rao, was introduced in the academic year 1969-70, as part of the 10+2+3 system in the erstwhile Andhra Pradesh State. This was done based on the recommendations of the Kothari Commission.

Subsequently, the Andhra Pradesh Board of Intermediate Education (AP BIE) came into being in 1971. After the bifurcation of the erstwhile Andhra Pradesh, Telangana constituted its own Board of Intermediate Education (TG BIE).

According to the Chief Minister, an average of 40 per cent of students drop out after Class X. He pointed out that Kendriya Vidyalayas, Navodaya schools and Kasturba Gandhi Balika Vidyalayas (KGBVs) have lower dropout rates. He also said that 18 states in the country are already following the Class XII education system and assured that employees would not face any difficulties due to the change.

However, the government’s decision did not go down well with the Intermediate Education Joint Action Committee (JAC), which has strongly opposed the move. The CPI has also criticised the move and urged the government not to take hasty decisions. It wanted detailed consultations with all stakeholders before arriving at a decision.

Intermediate Education JAC Chairman Dr. P Madhusudhan Reddy said the intermediate education system had delivered remarkable results since its inception.

He alleged that the Telangana Congress government’s decision to scrap the intermediate education system was driven by resentment towards former Prime Minister PV Narasimha Rao. He reminded the Chief Minister Revanth that Karnataka also follows the 10+2+3 education system.

Urging the government to withdraw its decision and hold consultations with stakeholders before taking a final call, he warned that the Intermediate Education JAC would launch protests involving students, parents, lecturers and employees if the government goes ahead with the merger.