Intermediate Education is one of the burning problems facing the educators and policymakers. Originally there used to be pre-university course (PUC) in English medium attached to Degree Colleges .It was under the jurisdiction of the universities. The government of A.P took initiative in introducing the Two-Year Intermediate Course by establishing the Intermediate Board of Education through legislation. It has removed the Intermediate Education from the academic control of universities. The Intermediate Board was all-in all. Two channels of syllabus were proposed: one is to serve as a bridge course to connect with higher education and the other to be job-oriented so that the candidates can seek employment in first level jobs. Two types of managements have emerged: (l) Degree Colleges running the Intermediate Course (2) Separate Intermediate Colleges (Junior Colleges).Teachers handling only Intermediate were designated ‘Junior Lecturers’. Junior Lecturers who worked in the Degree Composite Colleges were at a disadvantage because, they were drawing lesser salaries than those who were teaching degree classes. They had the same qualifications and the same work to do.

As expected, they protested and agitated against the injustice but no decision was taken in this regard. Those working in Government Colleges brought pressure on the Government through their Association and legislators and got themselves recognized as Gazetted Officers. In 1969, decks were cleared for the mission-mode launch of regional language as medium of instruction in Intermediate course and as its corollary in 3-Year Degree Course in 1971. Soon, there arose confusion and complaints especially from rural colleges that they were deprived of the advantages of studying in English Medium and competing with the metropolitan students in the job market. With the onset of globalization, there was an increasing demand for English Medium. To make confusion worse confounded, Engineering Colleges and Medical Colleges continued to teach in English Medium. Even the teachers in professional colleges are finding fault with Telugu Medium students and branding them as ‘slow learners’. As years passed and problems increased, Government thought that Intermediate’s proper place was in School Education. The Teachers’ Association agitated and brought tremendous pressure and political influence and made the Government suspend the G.O. The Status quo ante continued. Another order requiring Degree Colleges to separate the Intermediate classes and run them with separate staff and accommodation remains largely unimplemented.

EAMCET is the last straw that broke the back of Intermediate colleges. Intermediate colleges have become redundant with the introduction of the EAMCET examination as the sole criterion for admission to Engineering Colleges and Medical Colleges. Marks obtained in the Intermediate examination became ornamental. Even students who obtained 90% marks were not eligible for admission. However, very recently, the Government took the decision to allow 25% weightage to the marks obtained in the Intermediate examination. This indeed is a step in the right direction.

Government is never tired of making experiments in the teeth of opposition from all sources. Recently, a decision of far-reaching importance has been taken to start a good number of High Schools with CBSE syllabus, introducing English as medium of instruction from class VI. Students, teachers and managements opposed the scheme. They have no objection to English medium from class VI but contend that State syllabus is better than CBSE syllabus in several respects. Perhaps, Government has its own compulsions. As a result, class XI and XII will replace the Intermediate course. This will be a further blow to Intermediate colleges!