10+2 opens a Pandora’s box

Junior colleges resist proposed merger

Big players such as Narayana and Chaitanya managements in dialogue with the Government

T P Venu I hyderabad

The proposed shift to the 10+2 education system has triggered a number of questions and put the students, parents, and junior college managements in a state of uncertainty. Junior College managements have been the most affected after the Telangana Chief Minister announced the shift to integrate classes 11 and 12 into the school education system. In one stroke it will alter how the private junior colleges operate says Iyengar, board member of Anish Junior College. 

Speaking to Metro India, Sridhar Kumar of Trividya Junior College said, “There is no Govt GO as yet. If the Government had implemented in the first year of coming to power it would have been better. There are a lot of complications and the transition cannot happen soon.” He further added, “Junior College lecturers cannot fit into the school structure and vice versa. Also, the Government needs to spell out a clear cut transition plan.”

As this report was being filed, Narayana and Chaitanya managements were in a meeting with the Government. Insiders state that if they impress upon the Government, the plan could very well be put on hold.

In the meantime, the employee associations of the Board of Intermediate (BIE) and Directorate of School Education (DSE) are not supporting the merger. It may be noted that the Central Government allots Rs 15,000 crore to every State Government that implements the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020.

According to the existing rules, a Junior College must have 8000 s ft. to run an institution. As per the new rules, if a Junior College wishes to start classes from 9 onwards, they would have to increase the space.

“We would have to wait and watch about the transition policy. Also, how to integrate with the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020,” says G Satish, President, Telangana Private Junior College Managements Association (TPJCMA).  

At present, there are 4832 junior colleges out of which 1862 are private junior colleges. Out of the 9 lakh students studying Intermediate in the State, 2 lakh are in Government colleges.

The Intermediate Education Joint Action Committee is opposing the proposal it is of the opinion that thousands of students who appear for competitive exams would be affected.

Ravi Kumar, a Junior College lecturer states, “The Telangana government needs to recognise that the Intermediate education sector has developed its own institutional ecosystem over several decades. Thousands of teachers, employees, managements, coaching facilities and support services depend on it.”

The government will have to create a comprehensive regulatory framework covering institutional recognition, curriculum, examinations, infrastructure, faculty qualifications, fee regulation and student protection.