Telangana scraps 55-year-old intermediate education structure, shifts to 10+2 system from 2027-28: Reports

The Telangana government has decided to merge intermediate education with the School Education Department and introduce a 10+2 education system from academic year 2027-28. It is effectively ending the standalone intermediate education structure that has been in place for 55 years, Telangana Today reported. During a review meeting of Education Department, CM A Revanth Reddy directed officials to take steps to implement new system from next academic year. The decision will also do away with the Telangana Board of Intermediate Education (TG BIE).

Under the proposed structure, education in the state will be divided into three stages: primary, secondary and senior secondary. Nursery to Class 4 will come under primary education, Classes 5 to 8 under secondary education, and Classes 9 to 12 under senior secondary education.

Separately, The Hindu reported that the chief minister had directed officials to introduce the 10+2 system from the 2027-28 academic year and provide specialised education by considering Classes 9 to 12 as higher education. The directions were issued during a meeting with senior officials of the state Education Department, Chief Secretary Sanjay Jaju and government adviser K Keshava Rao, among others, in Hyderabad on November 11.

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Telangana intermediate education system: History

According to Telangana Today, intermediate education system was introduced in academic year 1969-70 in the erstwhile Andhra Pradesh as part of the 10+2+3 structure, based on the recommendations of the Kothari Commission. Former Prime Minister PV Narasimha Rao was credited with conceptualising the system. The Andhra Pradesh Board of Intermediate Education was established in 1971. Following the bifurcation of Andhra Pradesh, Telangana constituted its own Board of Intermediate Education.

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Report suggests that 40% of students drop out after Class 10. The CM pointed to comparatively lower dropout rates in Kendriya Vidyalayas, Navodaya schools and Kasturba Gandhi Balika Vidyalayas (KGBVs). The chief minister also noted that 18 states in the country already follow the Class 12-based education system and assured employees that they would not face difficulties due to the proposed restructuring.

Telangana teachers' body opposes move

The proposed merger has drawn opposition from the Intermediate Education Joint Action Committee (JAC), according to Telangana Today. The teachers' body has urged the state government to reconsider the decision and consult stakeholders before proceeding. JAC chairman Dr P Madhusudhan Reddy said the intermediate education system had delivered remarkable results since its introduction. He alleged that the Congress government's decision to discontinue the system was driven by resentment towards former Prime Minister PV Narasimha Rao.

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He also pointed out that Karnataka follows the 10+2+3 education structure and urged Chief Minister Revanth Reddy to withdraw the decision and hold consultations before taking a final call. The JAC warned that it would launch protests involving students, parents, lecturers and employees if the government proceeded with the merger without consulting stakeholders.

Reportedly, the Communist Party of India (CPI) has also criticised the move and urged the government not to take a hasty decision. It called for detailed consultations with all stakeholders before implementing the proposed changes.