HYDERABAD: Putting to rest concerns over the future of the Intermediate Board under the proposed 10+2 education system, BIE Secretary Abhilasha Abhinav told TNIE that the Board was unlikely to be abolished, while private and corporate junior colleges might have to restructure their operations.
Abhilasha Abhinav said the examination-related units would continue to function, even if their nomenclature changed. “There will definitely be an examination-conducting body. Someone has to conduct the Class 10 examination and someone has to conduct the Class 12 examination.
The existing examination-related units will continue to function, though their nomenclature may change,” she said, adding that the 10+2 model is already followed in 17 other states.
However, the proposed changes could mean a major shift in the way standalone junior colleges function. The government is considering allowing them to obtain affiliation to offer Classes 9 and 10, bringing them under the proposed structure.
While some corporate institutions already run schools alongside junior colleges, standalone institutions may need to expand their infrastructure. The exact affiliation and recognition requirements are yet to be finalised, the BIE secretary said.
Under the proposed arrangement, students would continue their education on the same school premises or an affiliated campus after Class 10, rather than move to a separate junior college.
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The government is examining the modalities for introducing the system, with a detailed policy expected to be made public soon for stakeholder consultations.
The primary objective, according to the TGBIE, was to ensure continuity in education and reduce dropouts, particularly among girls transitioning from school to intermediate education.
The secretary said the proposed policy would be placed in the public domain in the coming days to invite suggestions from parents, students, teachers, college managements and employees’ unions before final decisions are taken.
The proposal has already prompted calls for wider consultation. Gouri Sathish of the Telangana Private Junior Colleges Management Association (TPJMA) said all stakeholders should be involved before the implementation guidelines are finalised.
While the association was willing to support the reform, she stressed that the interests of students, parents, college managements and lecturers must be protected.
The Telangana Recognised School Managements Association (TRSMA) has welcomed the integration of Classes 11 and 12 into school education and urged the government to allow existing recognised schools to upgrade and offer senior secondary classes.
TRSMA president S Madhusudhan called for a transparent, time-bound approval process, reasonable infrastructure norms and adequate preparation time. He also sought clear guidelines on teacher qualifications, staffing, subject combinations, curriculum and examinations.
Intermediate lecturers, meanwhile, are concerned about the impact of the restructuring on their careers, including their roles, recruitment, service conditions and promotional opportunities.
Abhinav assured them that the proposed integration would not affect the service conditions or promotional avenues of existing employees.
The TGBIE secretary, meanwhile, assured that the proposed integration would not affect the service conditions or promotional avenues of existing employees.
She explained that the board, which conducts examinations, and the Commissionerate of Intermediate Education, which handles administrative functions, were separate entities. The changes may affect only the administrative structure, with the Commissionerate being brought under the School Education department.
Another proposal under consideration is to hold public examinations only for Classes 10 and 12, with Class 11 assessments conducted internally. The move is intended to ease academic pressure and give students more time to prepare for competitive examinations.
Some junior college students have also welcomed the proposal. However, much will depend on the final guidelines and on how the government addresses the concerns of institutions and those whose livelihoods are tied to the existing system.