The Intermediate education system in the State is not at all well and needs effective interventions, even before the academic year begins, said Telangana gazetted junior lecturers’ association on Monday.
Listing eight specific issues in the system and their redressal, its president V.Srinivas and secretary K.Suresh said one of the major demands, also recommended by Telangana Education Commission, is providing mid-day meal to Intermediate students in government colleges from 2025-26 academic year. The association also submitted its petition to Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy’s office.
As of 2025, the State has 424 government junior colleges for both general and vocational streams and nearly 1.43 lakh students.
This, in addition to the scholarship of ₹10,000 per student per annum, which is already being disbursed annually or biennially, if provided in a monthly frequency while linking it to the student’s attendance, will ensure enrolment and learning, they said.
Speaking to The Hindu, Mr. Suresh said policy intervention, which is solely administrative in action and does not financially burden the government, such as overhauling the old course streams is required.
“There is a need for combination of course streams such as History, Economics, Commerce and Civics. Emerging courses like AI, Data Science and Cyber Security need to be introduced at least with some weightage,” he said.
Mr. Suresh adds that challenges in the form of staff also reflect poorly on the system. “There are no regular District Intermediate Officers for 26 districts and the present ones are senior principals on additional charge. This impacts the monitoring and performance of the colleges,” he observed.
The list of measures to be taken, according to the association, also includes appointing separate lecturers for history and political science, and at least two lecturers to teach vocational courses.
Published – April 08, 2025 01:41 am IST
