Teaching as a profession is divided into many areas of specialization, each requiring different skill-sets and each employing a different method of training. Some of the major areas of specialization include teaching at nursery schools, middle schools, high schools, collegesuniversities, institutes, and special schools for students with disabilities (Divyangjan). As per, Right to Education Act 2009, it is the responsibility of the Government to ensure that each child, irrespective of its caste, creed, sex and location must get elementary education. The same applies to secondary education also. In order to achieve this objective, various schemes and programmes have been launched by the Government of India. Inclusive Education is one of them to bring children with disabilities within the main stream of education. This effort is further supported by provision of resource room, home based education and special schools where besides teachers, special teachers/educators are also involved and appointed.

It is the responsibility of the National Council for Teacher Education (NCTE) to regulate and monitor the training of teachers to be appointed in schools and teacher Educators to be appointed in Teacher Education Institutions; and to determine the minimum qualifications of teachers under the RTE Act 2009. On the other hand, the Rehabilitation Council of India (RCI) has been charged with responsibility to standardizing the syllabi, regulating and monitoring the training of special teachers/ educators who teach children with special needs arising out of disabilities.

COURSES IN TEACHER EDUCATION

1. Diploma in Education (Special Education) D.Ed. (Spl. Ed.)

This diploma programme helps in generating manpower that will cater to the educational needs of children with disabilities as well as normal school children. Those trained would be able to help children with disabilities as well as normal school children to be equipped with elementary stage of school education (Class I to VI) including pre-school, preacademic skills. A person having D.Ed. (Spl. Ed.) will be able to get job in normal as well as special schools in Government establishment.

2. Diploma in Pre-school Education (DPSE)

Pre-school education aims at total child development in a learning environment that is joyful, child-centered, play and activity based. The present programme of DPSE, earlier known as Diploma in Early Childhood Education (D.E.C. Ed.) aims at preparing teachers for pre-school programmes which are offered under different nomenclature such as nursery schools, kindergarten schools and preparatory schools. The Programme shall cover children in the age group 3 to 6.

3. Diploma in Elementary Education (D.El.Ed.).

It aims to prepare teachers for the elementary stage of education, i.e. classes 1 to VIII. The aim of elementary education is to fullfil the basic learning needs of all children in an inclusive school environment bridging social and gender gaps with the active participation of the community. The elementary education programme carries different nomenclatures such as BTC, J.B.T, D.Ed. and (Diploma in Education). Henceforth, the nomenclature of the programme shall be same across all states and it shall be referred to as the "Diploma in Elementary Education (D.El.Ed)."

4. Diploma in Physical Education (D.P.Ed.)

The Diploma in Physical Education (D.P.Ed.) programme is a professional programme meant for preparing physical education teachers for elementary stage of school education (Class I to VIII).

5. Diploma in Art Education (Visual Arts)

The Diploma in Art Education (Visual Arts) is a professional pre-service teacher education programme which aims to prepare teachers to teach Visual Arts upto class VIII.

6. Diploma in Arts Education (Performing Arts)

The Diploma in Arts Education (Performing Arts) is a professional pre-service teacher education programme which aims to prepare teachers to teach Performing Arts up to class VIII.

7. Integrated B.Sc.B.Ed./ B.A.B.Ed.

The four- year integrated programme aims at integrating general studies comprising science (B.Sc.B.Ed.) and social sciences or humanities (B.A.B.Ed.), and professional studies comprising foundations of education, pedagogy of subjects, and practicum related to the tasks and functions of a school teacher. The programme aims at preparing teachers for Upper Primary and Secondary stage of education.

8. Bachelor of Education - Special Education- B.Ed. Spl. Ed.

Candidates who undergo the Bachelor of Education - Special Education would learn approaches and methods for educational management of children with disabilities. The B.Ed. Spl. Ed. is a special programme which prepares special educators. With the perspective of capacity building to meet the vision of India 'Education for All', Faculty in the field of Education, Teacher Education as well as special education and other related disciplines conduct this programme.

9. Bachelor of Elementary Education (B.El.Ed.)

It aims to prepare teachers for the elementary stage of education, i.e. for Classes I to VIII. In addition, the programme prepares students for a wide range of professional and academic options in elementary education including teaching in elementary schools with special orientation for government schools; leading elementary school systems in various capacities; teaching and research in elementary education in the government and non-governmental sector; pursuing post-graduate and research studies in education.

10. Bachelor of Education (B.Ed.)

The Bachelor of Education programme, generally known as B.Ed., is a professional course that prepares teachers for upper primary or middle level (Classes VI-VIII), secondary level (classes XI-XII).

11. Bachelor of Physical Education (B.P.Ed.)

The Bachelor of Physical Education (B.P.Ed.) programme is a professional programme meant for preparing teachers for physical education in classes VI-X and for conducting physical education and sports activities in classes XI-XII.

12. Master of Education Special Education

M.Ed. Spl. Ed. M.Ed.Spl.Ed.is offered to fulfill the needs of planning educational programmes, making policy decisions and serving as master trainers in the area of special education. Candidates with a B.Ed. Spl. Ed. degree recognized by RCI of any University considered as equivalent thereto with an average of not less than 50% (45% for SC/ST) of marks in the qualifying examination are eligible.

13. Master of Education (M.Ed.)

The Master of Education (M.Ed.) Programme is two-year professional programme in the field of Teacher Education which aims at preparing teacher educators and other education professionals including curriculum developers, education policy analyst, planners, administrators, supervisors, school principals and researchers. The completion of the programme shall lead to M.Ed. degree with specialization either in elementary education (upto class VIII) or in secondary education (classes VI-XII).

14. Master of Physical Education (M.P.Ed.)

The Master of Physical Education (M.P.Ed.) programme is a professional programme meant for preparing physical education teachers for senior secondary (classes XI and XII) level as well as assistant professor/ directors/ sports officers in colleges/ universities and teachers educators in colleges of physical education and university departments of physical education.

15. Integrated B.Ed.- M.Ed

The integrated B.Ed.-M.Ed. programme is three year full time professional programme in education, without any option of intermediate exit before completing the 3 years of study. It aims at preparing teacher educators and other professionals in education, including curriculum developers, educational policy analysts, educational planners and administrators, school principals, supervisors and researchers in the field of education.

STATUS OF INSTITUTIONS COUNTRYWIDE
There are 17,254 institutions recognized by NCTE for running teacher education courses with approval intake capacity of 13,25,341 students. Across the country, approximately 745 Teacher Training Institutes and 14 State Open Universities are running Rehabilitation Council of India (RCI) approved Courses from Certificate to M.Phil level courses. Various courses are operational through regular mode covering all the 16 categories of professionals/ personnel allocated to RCI. So far, 1.26 Lakh professionals and personnel were registered in Central Rehabilitation Register as on December 2017.

CHALLENGES IN TEACHER EDUCATION
Unprecedented expansion of teacher education institutions and programmes during the past few years characterizes the teacher education scenario of today. With increasing school enrolments and the launch of pan-Indian primary education development programmes like Operation Blackboard, District Primary Education Programme, Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan (SSA), Rastriya Madhyamik Shiksha Abhiyan (RMSA), Special Schools for Children with Disabilities, and Universalization of Elementary Education, there was a natural increase in the demand for teachers. Added to this, the backlog of untrained teachers in the system and the essential requirement of pre-service teacher certification for appointment as a teacher led to mounting pressure on existing institutional capacity. The demand far exceeding supply, market forces have taken over in unprecedented rise in the number of teacher education institutions in most parts of the country.

To have a successful career as teacher the required traits include keen observation, dedication, and willingness to help people, strong communication skills, analytical ability, patience and perseverance among others. One also requires a basic sensitivity towards society and need to be ethical in approach. All such skills and traits can be developed with positive and sincere efforts. In general it is not a career of fancy designations and regular promotions. Therefore, if it genuinely interests you, only then you will enjoy your work as teacher and can contribute to the society be educating the future generation.

- Ankita Kumari
Employment News
05-09-2020