Teachers Must Live Where They Work Telangana Education Commission Proposes Major School Reforms

• Teachers must reside in their work village or mandal.
• Performance will decide continuation of service.
• Biometric attendance to regulate salaries.

In a move aimed at restoring discipline and improving learning outcomes in government schools the Telangana Education Commission has proposed a series of structural reforms to the state education system. The recommendations were submitted to Chief Minister Revanth Reddy as part of the draft Telangana Education Policy.

One of the most significant proposals states that teachers must live in the same village or mandal where they are posted. Recruitment will be conducted at the mandal level which will become the basic administrative unit. Transfers will not be allowed under any circumstances including health grounds and teachers will be required to submit a written undertaking agreeing to local residence within a fifteen kilometre radius.

The commission has also suggested ending automatic promotions. Primary school teachers seeking high school positions will have to reappear in the recruitment process with only limited weightage for experience. Teaching designations will be restructured into pre primary primary high school and senior secondary categories with revised qualification norms. High school teachers will require a postgraduate degree along with two years of training while primary teachers must hold a degree and complete two years of professional training.

Another key recommendation focuses on accountability and pay structure. The commission observed that current salaries are significantly higher than market benchmarks and advised rationalisation for future recruitments. This would allow more funds to be redirected towards improving infrastructure and learning quality. Salaries will be credited on the first of every month and linked strictly to biometric attendance which will also determine leave eligibility.

Officials believe these reforms will strengthen teacher commitment reduce absenteeism and bring schools closer to local communities. The draft policy is expected to trigger wider debate before the government takes a final call on implementation.