In this paper, Teaching-Learning-Based Optimization (TLBO) algorithm is employed for controlling the speed of induction motors using fuzzy sliding mode controller. The proposed control scheme formulates the design of the controller as an optimization problem. First, a sliding mode speed controller with an integral switching surface is designed, in which the acceleration information for speed control is not required. In this case, the upper bound of the lumped uncertainties including the parameter uncertainties and the load disturbance must be available. The importance of this parameter on the system performance is illustrated. Then, the fuzzy sliding mode speed controller is designed to estimate the upper bound of the lumped uncertainties. Finally, TLBO algorithm is adopted to determine the optimal upper bound of the uncertainty. Simulation results are given to demonstrate the superiority of the proposed controller in comparison with the proportional-integrator, traditional sliding mode controller, fuzzy sliding mode controller and adaptive fuzzy sliding mode controller.