Passion counts: Due to the rapid expansion of educational facilities, there is urgent need for good teachers in schools
Teaching in schools is not what it used to be in India. There is increased emphasis now on pedagogies and approaches. While public schools which came into existence in the Raj era and other prestigious institutes are still a big draw for students, the demand for
good education has fuelled the growth of international schools as well. As per a government report, “Due to the rapid expansion of educational facilities and rising aspirations of the people, securing adequate supply of good quality teachers in schools has become urgent. For instance, the estimates prepared by NUEPA (National University of Educational Planning and Administration) and MHRD (Ministry of Human Resource Development) show that implementation of the RTE (Right to Education) Act would require the appointment of 0.51 million additional teachers over and above the existing vacancies of 1.26 million”
Clockwork
7.50am: House meeting
8.10am: Morning assembly, attendance, prayer, news, sharing information regarding school activities
8.40am: Take classes as per the time table. Make use of free time to update class and subject attendance registers, do correction work, prepare lessons or any co-scholastic related activity
11.30pm: Recess
12pm: Second half of classroom teaching and other school-related activities
2pm: See off students in their private vehicles/school buses
2pm onwards: Take part in co-curricular activities, sporting activities and subject club activities with day scholars staying back and/or hostellers
The payoff
After the sixth pay commission, a teacher at the entry level earns around Rs. 40,000 per month.
TGT: Rs. 33,000 a month (Delhi government schools); Rs. 34,000- Rs. 35,000 (Kendriya Vidyalayas and Navodaya Vidyalayas)
PGT: Rs. 35,000 a month (Delhi government schools); Rs. 37,000 a month (KVs and NVs)
Skills/TRAITS
* Competence in subject areas
* Good communication skills
* Sincerity and dedication
* Affable nature and humility
* Enterprising, capable of thinking outside the box
* Ability to tackle failures
* Willingness to upgrade skills
Getting there
PGT: A master’s degree in a subject taught at school level, along with a BEd. TGT: A bachelor’s degree plus a BEd
Institutes and URLs
* IGNOU, www.ignou.ac.in
* Delhi University, www.du.ac.in
* Jamia Millia Islamia, www.jmi.nic.in
Pros and cons
* Potential for intellectual growth
* Limited scope of professional growth
* Working in a stimulating environment
* You gain love and respect of students
Though this level (PGT/TGT) in a teaching career has challenges, it has scope for growth too --Lata Vaidyanathan, principal, Modern School, New Delhi