In Mumbai: Council seeks public opinion on BEd reforms

The National Council for Teacher Education (NCTE) — the apex regulatory body for teacher training courses such as BEd and MEd — has sought public opinion to revise its 2014 regulation that increased the BEd course duration from a year to two years.

The National Council for Teacher Education (NCTE) — the apex regulatory body for teacher training courses such as BEd and MEd — has sought public opinion to revise its 2014 regulation that increased the BEd course duration from a year to two years.

Earlier this month, the apex body issued a notice inviting stakeholders and the public to send in their suggestions to revise the NCTE (Recognition Norms and Procedure) Regulation, which came into effect two years ago. A committee has been formed to look into its anomalies.

The regulation had also trimmed the classroom capacity from 100 students to 50.

Many academicians believe that extending the duration of BEd, a necessary qualification for aspiring schoolteachers, has resulted in fewer enrolments. They said that NCTE should revert to the earlier pattern.

“Many students don’t opt for the two-year course as it takes a longer period. The curriculum can be completed within a year, provided the colleges start on time,” said Shefali Pandya, professor, department of education, University of Mumbai.

She added that many private colleges are in favour of the year-long course, as many of their seats are lying vacant.

However, others argue that the two-year duration is justified because BEd has now been recognised as a professional course. “The current BEd curriculum includes internship for students. If medical courses require mandatory internships, why shouldn’t teacher training courses?” said a professor from a government teacher training college in the city.

The recommendations can be mailed to NCTE at regulation@ncte-india.org before October 30. The committee will suggest modifications into the regulation after considering them.