Teachers' training institutes not adhering to standards could be shut down: Centre

In an attempt to improve the quality of teacher training institutes mushrooming across the country, the central government has proposed withdrawing recognition of institutes not adhering to the required standards.

In an attempt to improve the quality of teacher training institutes mushrooming across the country, the central government has proposed withdrawing recognition of institutes not adhering to the required standards.

The proposal has been uploaded on the ministry of human resource and development’s website for public opinion.

As the National Council for Teachers Education Act (NCTE) 1993, currently states that recognition cannot be withdrawn once granted, the government has called for feedback on a proposal to amend this provision of the Act. One of the major changes proposed is amending the existing NCTE Act. Surprise visits to the institutes and inspections are also proposed.

“Many teacher training institutes are mushrooming these days, but we need to hold them accountable for their infrastructure and quality of education,” said a senior education official. “We have proposed certain changes to correct some anomalies in the Act to help us improve their quality.”

Experts said that stringent regulation to monitor such institutes was the need of the hour. "It is necessary to take such action as many institutes are indulging in malpractices and lack good infra-structure, qualified staff,” said Arundhati Chavan, principal of Swayyam Siddhi College of Education, Kalyan.

Other amendments proposed include to empower the NCTE Council to issue directions to the regional committees on matters of policy and for effective implementation of the Act.