Telangana schools up to Class 12 from next academic year, Revanth Reddy orders; junior college staff benefits to be protected

Telangana’s school ladder is set to grow by two rungs. Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy has told officials to run Telangana schools up to Class 12 when the next academic year begins, ending the long-standing break after Class 10. He gave the direction on Wednesday, 11 November, during an Education Department review at the Dr MCR HRD Institute in Hyderabad.

Under the structure he set out, Nursery to Class 4 will form the primary stage, Classes 5 to 8 the secondary stage and Classes 9 to 12 the senior secondary stage. At present, a Telangana student finishes school at Class 10 and moves to a separate two-year Intermediate course, usually in a junior college.

Why the government wants the change

Reddy said too many students stop studying after Class 10, most of them girls and Dalit, tribal and minority children. Central and Navodaya schools and the Kasturba Gandhi Balika Vidyalayas, which already teach up to Class 12, lose far fewer pupils, he said, adding that 18 states follow the same model. Students should build a firm grip on language and information skills by Class 12 and choose a subject to specialise in only after that.

On 10 May, the Chief Minister put the merger of Intermediate with school education on hold for 2026-27 so that admissions could go ahead, asked for wider consultation and said the final call would come after a debate in the Assembly. The government’s release on the 11 November review does not say whether that debate has taken place.

What it means for you

Nothing changes in the current academic year, which runs under the existing Intermediate system. Families of students now in Classes 9 and 10, and in the first year of Intermediate, should watch for the formal order: the release does not explain the transition, and gives no details on board examinations, admissions, fees or which schools will add Classes 11 and 12. Reddy promised that lecturers and non-teaching staff at junior colleges would keep their jobs and retirement benefits.

The review went beyond the Class 12 plan. Residential schools and welfare hostels must stop operating from rented buildings; officials will plan permanent buildings, with the government promising the funds. Engineers were told to finish the Young India residential school campuses on schedule, and officials to release polytechnic upgrade funds without delay.

Universities were asked to fill assistant and associate professor posts faster while sticking strictly to the recruitment rules. Chief Secretary Sanjay Jaju attended the meeting. The next step is the formal order that will set out how the senior secondary stage is introduced.