Telangana to introduce 10+2 school education system from next academic year
Hyderabad, Nov 11 (TNT): The Telangana government will introduce a continuous 10+2 school education system from the next academic year, restructuring the existing school education framework into three stages, Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy announced on Wednesday.
Under the proposed system, primary education will cover nursery to Class IV, secondary education Classes V to VIII, and senior secondary education Classes IX to XII.
The Chief Minister directed officials to make all necessary arrangements for implementing the new system, stressing that the reforms should focus on providing quality education from the nursery level to university education and equipping students with the skills required to compete in the modern world.
At a review meeting of the Education Department held at the MCRHRD Institute here, Revanth Reddy said students should develop strong language and communication skills by the time they complete Class XII.
They should also be given opportunities to pursue subjects of their choice and develop expertise in their respective fields after completing school education.
Expressing concern over the increasing dropout rate after Class X, particularly among girls and students belonging to Dalit, tribal and minority communities, the Chief Minister said the proposed system would help ensure continuity in education up to Class XII.
He pointed out that institutions such as Kendriya Vidyalayas, Navodaya Vidyalayas and Kasturba Gandhi Balika Vidyalayas had recorded lower dropout rates due to the availability of education up to the senior secondary level.
Officials informed the meeting that a similar system was already being followed in 18 states across the country.
The Chief Minister assured that the employment and retirement benefits of lecturers and non-teaching staff working in junior colleges would not be affected by the proposed reforms.
He also directed officials to ensure that welfare hostels and residential schools were shifted from rented premises to permanent buildings equipped with adequate infrastructure.
He instructed the departments concerned to release the required funds for construction of hostels and residential schools and ensure that all schools, hostels and residential institutions had adequate toilet facilities and uninterrupted water supply.
Reviewing the progress of the Young India Integrated Residential Schools (YIIRS) project, Revanth Reddy directed engineering officials to expedite construction and complete the works within the stipulated deadlines.
He called for engaging reputed agencies for landscaping, interior design, digital equipment, sports facilities and kitchen infrastructure, without compromising on quality.
The Chief Minister also reviewed the progress of schools being constructed under the CURE initiative and expressed satisfaction over the pace of work.
He directed officials to give immediate attention to locations where construction had not yet commenced.
Referring to the upgradation of Industrial Training Institutes (ITIs) into Advanced Training Centres (ATCs), he said student enrolment had increased following the initiative and stressed that trained candidates should be provided employment opportunities.
He also directed officials to expedite the release of funds for upgrading polytechnic colleges and bring any administrative hurdles to his notice without delay.
The Chief Minister further instructed officials to speed up recruitment to vacant Assistant Professor, Associate Professor and other teaching positions in universities. He emphasised that recruitment rules and regulations should be strictly followed and asked the Chairman of the State Council of Higher Education and university Vice-Chancellors to give special attention to filling the vacancies.
State Government Advisers Keshava Rao and P. Sudarshan Reddy, MP Vem Narendar Reddy, Chief Secretary Sanjay Jaju, Education Department Secretary Yogita Rana, Intermediate Board Director Abhilasha Abhinav, School Education Director Naveen Nicholas, State Council of Higher Education Chairman Professor V. Balakista Reddy, Osmania University Vice-Chancellor Professor Molugaram Kumar, Dr. B.R. Ambedkar Open University Vice-Chancellor Professor Ghanta Chakrapani and TGEWIDC Director Ganapathi Reddy, among others, attended the meeting.
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