The Board of Intermediate Education, Andhra Pradesh (BIE AP), has announced a series of proposed educational reforms aimed at modernising the curriculum and addressing the evolving needs of students. These reforms, which are based on input from students, parents, educators, and other stakeholders, are open for public feedback until January 26, 2025.
A key reform is the revision of the current syllabus and textbooks. According to BIE AP, no significant changes have been made to the syllabus in recent years, necessitating a comprehensive update. To facilitate this, 14 committees have been formed to oversee the revision process. The board has also emphasised the need for the introduction of NCERT textbooks starting in the 2025-26 academic year for first-year intermediate students, ensuring a smoother progression of education without disruptions.
As part of these revisions, the syllabus will align more closely with national entrance exam patterns, particularly the NEET and JEE syllabi. The proposed changes reflect trends in over 15 other states that have already adopted NCERT textbooks in their intermediate education systems.
Specific changes include:
Science Subjects: Revised NCERT textbooks will be introduced in the 2025-26 academic year for first-year students, with further reductions to the syllabus and fully updated textbooks for second-year students by 2026-27.
Arts & Humanities: New textbooks in line with the Board’s syllabus will be introduced for first-year students in 2025-26, with second-year updates following in 2026-27.
Languages: Textbooks tailored to the Board’s syllabus will be introduced for first-year students in 2025-26, with second-year books following in 2026-27.
In a bid to alleviate student stress, BIE AP has proposed the abolition of first-year public examinations. This move aims to reduce exam pressure, aligning Andhra Pradesh with most other states that focus only on second-year exams for college admissions.
Additionally, the board has proposed a more flexible approach to subject combinations, allowing students to choose additional electives. This will cater to the increasing demand for courses like MBIPC (Maths, Biology, Physics, and Chemistry), and offer more options in humanities.
Finally, a new marking system has been proposed, adjusting the balance between theory exams and practical/internal assessments. For instance, in humanities subjects, 80% of the marks will come from theory exams, while 20% will be allocated to internal assessments, research work, or projects.
These reforms are part of BIE AP’s ongoing efforts to modernise education and better prepare students for future academic and professional success.