Those appearing for the Plus-Two examinations next month and considering options for a degree programme, here is one that might interest you - the four-year integrated teacher training programme that will earn you a BA B.Ed., or B.Sc. B.Ed. degree. The Government has decided to scrap the two-year B.Ed. (Bachelor of Education) and replace it with this programme.
Those appearing for the Plus-Two examinations next month and considering options for a degree programme, here is one that might interest you - the four-year integrated teacher training programme that will earn you a BA B.Ed., or B.Sc. B.Ed. degree. The Government has decided to scrap the two-year B.Ed. (Bachelor of Education) and replace it with this programme.
So, what is unique about this four-year integrated programme ? According to the Government’s logic, this will facilitate a strong base for teacher training, which has been found lacking in the two-year stand-alone progamme. Those who are serious about a teaching career can choose this right after school without having to finish a degree course and then apply all over again for B.Ed. at a different college. It will also have the standing of a four-year course like B.E., B.Tech., or MBBS.
Though the course will be made curriculum-intensive, it will save students a year, i.e., if they would have had to do a BA B.Ed., it would have taken them five years till now. With the integrated course, this will be accomplished in four years.
The Ministry of Human Resource Development (MHRD) has asked the National Council for Teacher Education (NCTE) to revamp the syllabus and make the necessary changes by March so that colleges and universities could start offering this course from this academic year (2018-19) itself.
Finance Minister Arun Jaitley had also made an announcement to this effect in his 2018 Budget speech on February 1.
It was only in 2014 that the NCTE made some sweeping changes to ensure quality teacher training and increased the duration of the Bachelor of Education programme from one year to two years. In 2016 there was another consideration to revert to the one-year pattern from 2017. But this did not happen and, now this change is being expected. Though the NCTE has been given very less time to work on the dynamics of the integrated course, the MHRD is keen to introduce it this year.
The two-year course was divided into four semesters and was structured in a way that included classroom based teaching as well as practical training and internships.
While the MHRD has its own reasons for the change, strengthening teacher training has always been called for by educationists. But whether the change is too soon and sudden is being questioned. No study or survey has been done to assess the former pattern and neither has it been done to get a feedback about the proposed pattern, it is said.
However, in a circular issued earlier this month, the NCTE said that a committee has been formed to look into the ‘infirmities and anomalies’ in the NCTE (Recognition Norms and Procedure) Regulations, 2014. The committee has sought feedback from the public and stakeholders regarding the duration of B.Ed. course following a country-wide demand to restrict the course to a year.
There was a feedback that the demand for the course had drastically reduced following the decision to make it a two-year one. Also, it was felt that the curriculum that was designed for a one-year course was being taught for two years with additional practical components. The fact that the curriculum was not modified to fit into a two-year course pattern was seen as a major reason for failing to attract more number of candidates.
In this background, whether the proposed integrated pattern will succeed or fail is a matter of speculation. Also, application process for the existing B.Ed. pattern has already begun for those who have completed the degree programme or for those who are in the final year degree programmes.
With the NCTE about to submit the draft proposal only by March, whether the universities and colleges would be able to include the course in the prospectus and application forms is a big question. If all this and the course material is ready, will the regular faculty who handle the BA and B.Sc. subjects in arts and science be able the handle the integrated courses is another matter of concern.
The main issue, however, remains as to what will happen to the numerous stand-alone institutions that offer only B.Ed. courses ?
So, what is unique about this four-year integrated programme ? According to the Government’s logic, this will facilitate a strong base for teacher training, which has been found lacking in the two-year stand-alone progamme. Those who are serious about a teaching career can choose this right after school without having to finish a degree course and then apply all over again for B.Ed. at a different college. It will also have the standing of a four-year course like B.E., B.Tech., or MBBS.
Though the course will be made curriculum-intensive, it will save students a year, i.e., if they would have had to do a BA B.Ed., it would have taken them five years till now. With the integrated course, this will be accomplished in four years.
The Ministry of Human Resource Development (MHRD) has asked the National Council for Teacher Education (NCTE) to revamp the syllabus and make the necessary changes by March so that colleges and universities could start offering this course from this academic year (2018-19) itself.
Finance Minister Arun Jaitley had also made an announcement to this effect in his 2018 Budget speech on February 1.
It was only in 2014 that the NCTE made some sweeping changes to ensure quality teacher training and increased the duration of the Bachelor of Education programme from one year to two years. In 2016 there was another consideration to revert to the one-year pattern from 2017. But this did not happen and, now this change is being expected. Though the NCTE has been given very less time to work on the dynamics of the integrated course, the MHRD is keen to introduce it this year.
The two-year course was divided into four semesters and was structured in a way that included classroom based teaching as well as practical training and internships.
While the MHRD has its own reasons for the change, strengthening teacher training has always been called for by educationists. But whether the change is too soon and sudden is being questioned. No study or survey has been done to assess the former pattern and neither has it been done to get a feedback about the proposed pattern, it is said.
However, in a circular issued earlier this month, the NCTE said that a committee has been formed to look into the ‘infirmities and anomalies’ in the NCTE (Recognition Norms and Procedure) Regulations, 2014. The committee has sought feedback from the public and stakeholders regarding the duration of B.Ed. course following a country-wide demand to restrict the course to a year.
There was a feedback that the demand for the course had drastically reduced following the decision to make it a two-year one. Also, it was felt that the curriculum that was designed for a one-year course was being taught for two years with additional practical components. The fact that the curriculum was not modified to fit into a two-year course pattern was seen as a major reason for failing to attract more number of candidates.
In this background, whether the proposed integrated pattern will succeed or fail is a matter of speculation. Also, application process for the existing B.Ed. pattern has already begun for those who have completed the degree programme or for those who are in the final year degree programmes.
With the NCTE about to submit the draft proposal only by March, whether the universities and colleges would be able to include the course in the prospectus and application forms is a big question. If all this and the course material is ready, will the regular faculty who handle the BA and B.Sc. subjects in arts and science be able the handle the integrated courses is another matter of concern.
The main issue, however, remains as to what will happen to the numerous stand-alone institutions that offer only B.Ed. courses ?