Hyderabad: For the first time, the National Council for Teacher Education (NCTE) has introduced a four-year integrated professional B.Ed course on the lines of universities abroad.
The four-year Integrated Teacher Education Programme (ITEP) for arts and science streams will be offered after the plus two stage.
This programme integrates general studies comprising mathematics and science, social sciences and humanities and professional studies comprising perspectives in education, other core education courses, curriculum and pedagogy of school subjects and practicals related to the tasks and functions of a school teacher.
Two courses will be offered, one for pre-primary to primary teachers and another one for upper primary to secondary teachers.
The curriculum is designed inculcating the world’s best practices in the field of teacher education sector.
According to the council, the ITEP will have eight semesters, inclusive of field-based experiences, teaching practice and internship.
Any student-teacher, who is unable to complete any semester or appear in any semester-end examination, shall be permitted to complete the programme within a six years from the date of admission to the programme with the approval of the managing committee.
The course maintains a balance between theory and practice and ensures coherence and integration among the various components of the programme. It is expected to equip the aspirant school teacher with the requisite attitude, skills and knowledge to address the challenges of becoming an effective school teacher.
The curriculum and the implementation of the programme will be based on the model curriculum developed by the NCTE. The concerned universities or institutions conducting this programme will have to adapt or modify this model curriculum, as per local requirement for the conduct of this programme with prior approval of the NCTE.
For an intake of one basic unit of 50 students and two units of 100 students, faculty shall be recruited for the curricular areas, with the specified essential and desirable qualifications and specialisation.
Additional faculty shall be appointed subject to provisions that the faculty requirements for the curricular areas are fulfilled.
Admissions will be made on merit basis, considering marks obtained at the plus two level or equivalent examination or in an entrance examination.
Speaking about the new courses, Prof. Ghanta Ramesh, former member, National Council for Teacher Education (NCTE) said, “B.Ed or any other teacher education programme is for primarily aimed at preparing a teacher for the school system. Over a period of time we have observed that no one is happy with the school education. Earlier we used to cite a number of reasons for the state of affairs. Since 1992, it was realized that a teacher plays a vital role in achieving the quality of school education and there is a need to empower the school teachers and attract quality people into the teaching profession.”
“Advanced countries provide integrated courses. Prior to that we extended B.Ed programme to two years and now the government of India is going for the integrated program because it us successful across the world,” he added.
