Telangana plans to convert 194 Model Schools into CBSE schools

The Telangana School Education Department has proposed converting all 194 Model Schools into CBSE-affiliated institutions from the 2027-28 academic year. It has also suggested introducing pre-primary classes to improve enrolment and strengthen the schools' academic offerings.

Hyderabad: In a bid to attract more parents and students and increase admissions, the School Education department has proposed converting all 194 Model Schools across the State into Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE)-affiliated schools from the academic year 2027-28.

A proposal was recently sent by School Education Department Director Dr E Naveen Nicolas to the State government, seeking permission to obtain CBSE affiliation for the Model Schools.

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In addition, the department has proposed introducing pre-primary classes alongside Classes I to V in the Model Schools. If the government gives its nod, the Model Schools will offer education from pre-primary to Class XII with CBSE affiliation.

According to Dr Nicolas, adopting the CBSE curriculum is expected to boost admissions. “Every year, the schools record a large number of vacancies. Model School teachers are well trained in teaching English, and converting the schools to CBSE will be beneficial in many ways, including increasing admissions,” he said.

The Central government launched the Model Schools with the aim of providing English-medium education in rural areas in 2013. Each school is equipped with a hostel facility to accommodate 100 girl students.

However, the Central government withdrew financial support for the Model Schools from 2015-16 and transferred them entirely to the State governments.

The Model Schools have an intake capacity of 1.60 lakh students from Classes VI to Intermediate. However, only 1.20 lakh students are currently enrolled. This is despite hostel facilities being made available in 14 more schools over the last one-and-a-half years.

One of the main reasons for poor admissions to these schools has been attributed to their location in remote areas and the lack of proper transportation. In addition, the rise in welfare residential schools and KGBVs, which provide education in a fully residential mode, has led to a decline in admissions.