The Telangana Education Commission (TEC) proposed sweeping changes this week, including merging state education boards, mandating Bachelor of Education (B.Ed.) degrees for teachers, and extending mid-day meals to intermediate students. The proposals are part of the commission’s “Education Policy for Telangana 2026: Vision for Inclusive Excellence” report, released for public comment.
Board Merger and New Standards Body
The TEC recommends merging the Telangana Board of Intermediate Education (TSBIE) and the Board of Secondary Education Telangana (BSET) into a single examination body for students in Classes 9 through 12. A new statutory body, the Telangana Education Standards Authority (TESA), will be established to monitor academic and infrastructure quality across all educational levels.
Teacher Qualifications and Staffing
A key proposal aims to elevate teaching standards by requiring stage-specific B.Ed. degrees for new teachers, replacing current diploma-level qualifications. The report also calls for mandatory biometric attendance for all teaching and non-teaching staff, with salary and leave management tied to attendance records. The commission targets filling all 2,606 vacant teaching posts in government degree colleges by December 2026 .
Expanded Mid-Day Meals and School Structure
The commission advocates for extending the mid-day meal program to Intermediate students in Classes 11 and 12. Payments to self-help groups preparing meals will be centralized. The report also proposes increasing the cost per meal and including eggs at least four times a week. It suggests integrated Telangana Public Schools, with clusters serving approximately 1,500 students from pre-primary to Grade 12, covering up to 33 lakh students across the state.
Higher Education Reforms
For higher education, the TEC proposes maintaining the three-year undergraduate degree structure for conventional programs. It recommends raising the minimum pass percentage across B.A., B.Sc., and B.Com. programs to 50%. The report highlights significant infrastructure gaps in government degree colleges, with nearly 80% facing challenges. The commission also suggests the government fully take over all aided colleges.
Proposed Legislation
Three new legislative frameworks are proposed:
- Telangana Education Standards Authority Bill, 2026: To create an autonomous regulator for educational institutions. TESA will grade and rank institutions and conduct summative assessments for students from Class 2 to 12.
- Private School Fee Regulatory and Monitoring Commission Bill, 2026: To establish district-level committees to approve private school fees. Cash payments for fees will be prohibited.
- Telangana Public Schools (Establishment and Management) Bill: To provide statutory backing for the integrated campus model and prohibit the diversion of educational land.
The commission also recommends extending the Right to Education Act 2009 to children aged three to 18 years.