Primary schoolteacher qualification in India – A ruling that gives primary school teaching a new slate

Source: The post primary schoolteacher qualification in India has been created, based on the article “A ruling that gives primary school teaching a new slate” published in “The Hindu” on 19th February 2024.

UPSC Syllabus Topic: GS paper 2- governance-Issues relating to development and management of Social Sector/Services relating to Education.

News: The article discusses the Supreme Court of India’s ruling that for primary school teaching, specific degrees like DEd, DElEd, or BElEd are necessary, not just a BEd degree. It highlights the need for better training programs and government support for primary school teacher education. Qualification for Primary School Teacher in India

What is the current status of primary schoolteacher qualification in India?

According to the State of Teachers, Teaching and Teacher Education Report 2023, 90% of teachers have professional qualifications. However, only 46% teaching primary grades have the appropriate DEd/DElEd qualifications.

30% of primary teachers hold a B.Ed degree, and 10% have no professional qualifications.

In private unaided schools, only 22% have DEd or equivalent; 43% hold B.Ed degrees.

What are the issues with primary schoolteacher qualification in India?

Mismatch in Qualifications: 30% of primary teachers have a B.Ed degree, which isn’t considered appropriate for primary education as per the Supreme Court ruling.

Private Sector Discrepancies: In private unaided schools, 43% of primary school teachers hold B.Ed degrees, and 17% do not have any professional qualification.

Training Quality Concerns: Students from government-funded DIETs perform better, with 59% qualifying in TET with an average score of 86/150, compared to 31% from self-financed institutions with an average score of 77/150.

Low Achievement in Key Areas: Overall, only 14% of TET candidates scored above 60%, with particularly low mean scores in mathematics (46%).

Insufficient Government Support: Despite the need, there’s a lack of focus on primary school teacher education and innovation, with emphasis mainly on higher education faculty development.

What initiatives have been taken for the improvement of primary schoolteacher qualification in India?

Integrated Teacher Education Programme (ITEP): Announced to bring primary school teacher preparation into university/higher education, focusing on specialized training.

Strengthening DIETs: Ministry of Education initiative to improve District Institutes of Education and Training for better teacher education quality.

Pandit Madan Mohan Malaviya National Mission: Continued commitment in the Union Budget 2023 to enhance teacher education, although mainly focused on higher education faculty development.

Innovative Programmes: Proposals to create pathways for B.Ed holders to receive certification for primary school teaching, such as professional development courses or specialized B.Ed programs.

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What should be done?

Quality Enhancement in Self-Financed Institutions: Improve the training quality in self-financed sectors, ensuring they match the standards of government-funded institutions.

Implement Innovative Training Models: Consider models like the Integrated Teacher Education Programme (ITEP) for primary teacher education, integrating it more into the university/higher education space.

Create Certification Pathways for B.Ed Holders: Offer specialized training or certification programs for B.Ed graduates to qualify them for primary education teaching.

Strengthen Government Support: Increase government involvement and funding in primary teacher education, focusing on both innovation and quality enhancement.

Ensure Rigorous Testing Standards: Adopt stricter testing standards, like section-wise qualifying marks in TET, to ensure teachers’ competence, especially in foundational subjects like mathematics.

Question for practice:

Discuss the key challenges faced in achieving appropriate qualifications for primary school teachers in India, along with the initiatives and recommendations to address these challenges.