MyVoice: Views of our readers 13th November 2026

Education system reform welcome

I wish to draw the attention of policymakers and the public to the Telangana government’s decision to replace the decades-old Intermediate education system with a unified 10+2 school education structure from the 2027–28 academic year. Announced by Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy during a review meeting with Education Department officials on November 11, this is a welcome and potentially transformative step towards modernising the state’s education system in line with the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 and the broader national schooling framework.

One of the most compelling reasons for this reform is the reported high rate of student discontinuation after Class 10, estimated at nearly 40 per cent. The transition from schools to separate junior colleges often creates academic, financial and social difficulties, particularly for girls and students belonging to Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes and minority communities. Bringing Classes 11 and 12 within the school education framework, with a structure comprising primary education (Nursery to Class 4), secondary education (Classes 5 to 8) and senior secondary education (Classes 9 to 12), could provide greater continuity and encourage more students to complete their higher secondary education. This approach has considerable potential to reduce dropout rates, particularly among economically and socially disadvantaged sections. The reform should, however, go beyond an administrative merger of educational institutions. The government must ensure that every school offering senior secondary education has qualified subject teachers, well-equipped science laboratories, libraries, digital learning facilities and adequate sports and extracurricular infrastructure. The transition should also address the concerns of existing junior college lecturers and non-teaching employees by protecting their service conditions, employment security and retirement benefits.

Vidyasagar Reddy Kethiri, Hanamkonda

CEOs should be paragons of virtue

The recent controversy surrounding Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang, including allegations linking his personal affairs to Chinese intelligence, has created uncertainty in the market and reportedly caused huge losses to investors. Earlier, Microsoft founder Bill Gates also faced controversies over his personal relationships, affecting his public image. Such incidents remind us that a CEO or political leader is not merely an individual but a person who commands public trust and influence. Their personal conduct can have wider consequences for shareholders, employees and society. Professional success must go hand in hand with integrity, discipline and responsibility. Ultimately, leaders should be role models not only through their achievements but also through their character and conduct.

Nittala Siva Prasad, Hyderabad

Economic empowerment, the solution

A nation cannot claim victory over poverty simply by handing out free grains; true prosperity begins only when citizens can afford to buy them without help (‘Debate rages over whether India’s poor have become fewer’, November 12, 2026). The recent statistics may show that millions have escaped extreme destitution, but we must look beyond the arithmetic. Much of this progress rests on continuous government subsidies. If these fiscal lifelines are withdrawn, countless families could slip back into hardship overnight. The government must shift its focus from temporary welfare to lasting economic empowerment. We need massive investments in labor-intensive manufacturing, better rural healthcare, and quality education. Creating real, well-paying jobs is the only sustainable way to eliminate poverty. A country truly develops when its people build self-reliant lives, not when they remain forever dependent on state handouts.

Veda Chidanand, Bengaluru

BJP strategies in UP under test

Apropos, “Yogi’s comments on voter lists brings SIR back into spotlight,” Nov 12. Yogi Adityanath’s reported remark that the deletion of 1.27 crore Hindu names during the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) in Uttar Pradesh should not be interpreted as opposition to the exercise or a departure from the BJP’s political position raises questions about political messaging. It is highly improbable that Yogi would endorse the Opposition’s narrative, particularly with crucial Assembly elections approaching. Modi, Amit Shah and Yogi are seasoned strategists who understand that even minor differences among them could be exploited by the Opposition to manufacture perceptions of a leadership rift. Such discord could undermine the BJP’s electoral prospects in Uttar Pradesh, a state of immense political significance. Electoral pragmatism dictates that personal ambitions and perceived differences must yield to collective interests. A united BJP is indispensable to retaining power in Uttar Pradesh.

N Sadhasiva Reddy, Bengaluru

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