Govt. intensifies efforts to introduce X+II education system from next academic year

The State Government has intensified efforts to introduce X+2 education system in the State from the next academic year.

Accordingly, it has decided to categorise school education into primary (nursery to IV standard), secondary (V to VIII standard) and senior secondary (IX to XII standard). The new system envisaged enhancing the language and subject knowledge of students.

Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy said steps should be taken to ensure that students select subject of their choice after XII standard so that they can gain expertise in the respective fields.

The State Government was focussed on protecting the interests of students and enhancing their skills in the reforms that are being ushered in the education sector. The emphasis would be on imparting world class quality education from nursery to university levels so that they would become globally competitive.

Officials explained the Chief Minister about the progress achieved in the direction of introducing X+II level education system from the next academic year. Mr. Revanth Reddy expressed concern that the dropout rate, especially of girls and those from Dalit, tribal and minority communities, after X standard was 40%. The dropout rate was however lower in Central schools, Navodaya and Kasturba Gandhi Vidyalayas where X+II system was being implemented.

The Government has therefore decided to introduce the X+II level education, which is being implemented in 18 States across the country. Simultaneously, the Government has resolved to ensure that there was no adverse impact on the employment and retirement benefits of teaching and non-teaching staff in junior colleges.

The Chief Minister is firm that the government is against continuation of residential schools and welfare hostels in rented premises. Steps should be initiated for construction of permanent buildings for these institutions. The Government would release the required funds for the construction of these buildings wherever necessary and steps should be taken to ensure that they were equipped with facilities like toilets and drinking water.

The Chief Minister enquired about the progress in the construction of the Young India Integrated Residential Schools and directed the officials concerned to speed up the process for completing the works in a time bound manner. These institutions should be equipped with sports equipment, kitchens, digital tools procured from the best agencies. There should be no compromise on the quality of construction.

Directing the Education Department officials to ensure timely release of funds for upgradation of polytechnic colleges as advanced technology centres, he wanted officials to speed up the process for recruitment of assistant and associate professors in universities.