New Delhi, September 17 (Daily Kiran) : Union Education Minister Prahlad Joshi has launched a six-month Primary Teacher Education (PTE) Certificate (Bridge) course aimed at promoting quality education at the primary level. The initiative, unveiled on September 17, is designed to equip teachers with the skills necessary to provide better educational opportunities and foster lifelong learning among students.
The course will be administered by the National Institute of Open Schooling (NIOS) and is intended to aid teachers in adopting child-centered, inclusive, and developmentally appropriate teaching methods. This, in turn, is expected to strengthen the quality of primary and foundational education.
Specifically tailored for currently employed primary school teachers holding a B.Ed. degree, the program offers them an opportunity to gain the certification required to teach in primary classrooms. Officials stated that it is a specialized professional training program that will help educators develop essential skills and competencies to effectively teach students from grades 1 to 5.
Aligned with the framework of the National Council for Teacher Education (NCTE), the course includes academic studies, a minimum of 10 days of online contact classes, and 20 days of school-based training. The primary goal is to enable teachers to understand the diverse learning needs of young children and adapt their teaching accordingly.
The curriculum encompasses six theoretical subjects and practical training, ensuring a better integration of teaching theory with classroom practice. According to officials, the Supreme Court granted the NCTE the authority to develop such bridge courses for primary teachers who were appointed without the required D.El.Ed. qualification in its April 8, 2024 ruling in the Devesh Sharma vs. Union of India case.
This bridge course is specifically designed for teachers appointed between June 28, 2018, and August 11, 2023, based on their B.Ed. degrees. It aims to support those whose appointments are protected under the NCTE’s notification of June 28, 2018.
The program will offer both theoretical and practical training focused on the principles of foundational education. Instruction will be available in both Hindi and English, and teachers will have the option to write their responses in any of the 22 languages listed in the Eighth Schedule of the Constitution during public examinations.
The Ministry of Education believes this initiative will significantly enhance the capabilities of primary-level teachers and play a crucial role in promoting quality and inclusive education across the country.
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