FOR those who seek a job that is noble and secure at the same time, teaching becomes an obvious choice. A number happening have impacted the sector in a positive way. More and more government spending in the social sector has increased the number of teaching jobs and the 6th Pay Commission recommendations have improved the pay scales. Entry of several private players has also added to the job opportunities with better salaries.
BEd is the most sought after degree that makes one eligible to apply for a teacher’s post. This one-year degree can be obtained after graduation. Besides regular degrees, many colleges and universities award BEd degree in the distance learning mode as well.
Universities like Annamalai, and MD Rohtak started correspondence BEd much before a regulatory system was formally put in place for such programmes.
Lack of proper implementation
Prof. RP Singh, President,
All-India Association of Teacher Educators (AIATE) shares that India followed China’s successful foray into distance education for teacher training to bridge the
gap in the huge demand for teachers. “But when it was implemented in India, it wasn’t done in the full spirit,” he says. “Marred with several shortcomings, its stature remained lower in comparison to a regular BEd programme,” he adds. Sagar University in Madhya Pradesh was one of the first institutions which adopted this model under Prof. H.P Dixit. When he joined as Vice Chancellor of IGNOU, he started this programme there as well, which became very popular and many other universities also opted for BEd in distance mode.
Norms and standards for Bachelor of
education (DE) |
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(As laid down by NCTE in 2009)
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Duration and intake<>
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The duration of the programme should be of two academic sessions/years (four semesters). The commencement and completion of the programme should be so regulated that two long spells of vacation (summer/winter/staggered) are available to the learners for guided/ supervised instruction and face-to-face contact sessions.
The basic unit of intake for the BEd (ODL) programme shall be 500 students subject to the condition that a Study Centre shall not enrol more than 100 students in a given session.
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Eligibility and jurisdiction
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Graduation/ Postgraduation Degree with 50 percent marks: provided that the requirement of 50 percent marks shall not apply to persons appointed as teachers prior to the commencement of the National Council for Teacher Education (Regulations Norms and procedure) Second amendment Regulations, 2010.
Two years teaching experience in a Government or Government recognised school.
A State University will admit only those candidates who are working in schools located in the territorial jurisdiction assigned to it by the University Act.
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Haphazard functioning
Prior to the regulatory framework, many universities followed their own style of conducting BEd courses. Such programmes lacked uniformity and standardisation. This haphazard style of functioning allowed certain malpractices to creep in, tarnishing the image of the BEd correspondence courses.
Dr. Jitendra Sharma, Senior Lecturer, S.G.K. Teachers’ College, Jodhpur says, “BEd in distance mode is valid but with certain norms. Before taking admission in such programmes, the students should ensure that the university is recognised by
National Council for Teacher Education (NCTE) and its norms are properly applied there. But the biggest problem lies with the manner in which NCTE functions. Its decisions often leave the students confused.”
Regulation goes haywire
In the 90's one-year BEd (by correspondence) run by universities like MDU was very popular outside Harayana also. Rishipal Singh, a teacher in Bijnore, Uttar Pradesh recalls, “I did BEd from MDU in 1990 when there were few BEd colleges. It seemed a golden opportunity. There were no contact classes or study centres. University used to send bunches of study material and I had to go to university campus for around 2 weeks for annual examinations and practical work. This degree helped me in getting promotions in my job.”
Policy regime
NCTE, the statutory body for teacher education came into existence in 1995 . In 2009, the NCTE fixed norms and standards for BEd through distance learning. These norms limit distance BEd only for teachers of government recognised schools. After these regulations came into being universities like MDU Rohtak changed the way they conducted their BEd correspondence course. Director of distance learning at MDU, Rohtak Dr. Narendra Kumar says that now BEd (Distance learning) programme is open only for teachers working in Haryana. The matter still is under litigation in some cases.
Current scenario
In recent years the demand for BEd seats and the availability of seats has changed significantly. Andhra Pradesh where the country's first BEd course was started in 1932 (at Andhra University), today has more than 700 BEd colleges. Because of the rapid increase in the numbers of regular BEd colleges all over India, distance BEd is not as coveted now as it was 10 years ago. Other reasons are restrictions like territorial jurisdiction and two-years working experience as a school teacher.
That’s why some school teachers like Varsha Singh from Dehradun do not choose BEd by distance learning. She says, “In many new BEd colleges, attendance is not compulsory and one can complete regular BEd in year whereas BEd in the distance mode takes two years to complete.”
BEd through distance mode is still a good option for in-service teachers who want to get the degree at 3-4 times less cost than a regular programme. But before selecting such programmes ensure that it fulfils all the criteria laid down by the NCTE. So select your option wisely.
NCTE-recognised institutes offering BEd By distance learning
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Sl. No
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Name of institution
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Location
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State
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Intake
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1
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Sri Padmavathi Mahila Distance Viswavidyalayam
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Tirupati
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Andhra Pradesh
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500
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2
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Sri Venkateshwara University
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Tirupati
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Andhra Pradesh
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500
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3
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Sri Krishnadevaraya University
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Anantapur
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Andhra Pradesh
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500
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|
4
|
Andhra University
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Visakhapatnam
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Andhra Pradesh
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500
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|
5
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Dr.B.R.Ambedkar Open University
|
Hyderabad
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Andhra Pradesh
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500
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6
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Kakatitya University
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Warrangal
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Andhra Pradesh
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500
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7
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Maulana Azad National
Urdu University
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Hyderabad
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Andhra Pradesh
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500
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8
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Osmania University
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Hyderabad
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Andhra Pradesh
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500
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9
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Nalanda Open University
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Patna
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Bihar
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500
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10
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Magadh University
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Gaya
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Bihar
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500
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11
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L.N Mithila University
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Darbhanga
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Bihar
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500
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12
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Punjab University
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Chandigarh
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Chandigarh
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800
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13
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Jamia Millia Islamia (Centre for distance & open learning)
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New Delhi
|
Delhi
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500
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14
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Indira Gandhi National
Open University
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New Delhi
|
Delhi
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2000
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15
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Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar
Open University
|
Ahmedabad
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Gujarat
|
2007
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16
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M.D. University, Dept. of
Distance Education
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Rohtak
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Haryana
|
250
|
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17
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Himachal Pradesh University,
Dept. of Education
|
Shimla
|
Himachal Pradesh
|
450
|
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18
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Karnataka State Open University
|
Mysore
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Karnataka
|
500
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19
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Madhya Pradesh Bhoj
(Open) University
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Bhopal
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Madhya Pradesh
|
1000
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20
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Yashwant Rao Chavan Maharashtra Open University
|
Nasik
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Maharashtra
|
1500
|
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21
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Punjabi Univ.,Dept. of
Correspondence Courses
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Patiala
|
Punjab
|
400
|
|
22
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Vardhman Mahavir Open University
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Kota
|
Rajasthan
|
500
|
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23
|
Tamil Nadu Open University
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Chennai
|
Tamil Nadu
|
500
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24
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Centre for Distance Education
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Tiruchirapalli
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Tamil Nadu
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500
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25
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Shanmugha Arts, Science Tech & Research Academy
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Thanjavur
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Tamil Nadu
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500
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|
26
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The Tamil University,
College of Education
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Thanjavur
|
Tamil Nadu
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500
|
|
27
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Annamalai University
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Cuddalore dt
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Tamil Nadu
|
500
|
|
28
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Bharathiar University
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Coimbatore
|
Tamil Nadu
|
500
|
|
29
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Madurai Kamaraj University
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Madurai
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Tamil Nadu
|
500
|
|
30
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Manonmaniam Sundaranar
University
|
Tirunelveli
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Tamil Nadu
|
500
|
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31
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Tripura University
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Agartala
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Tripura
|
200
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|
32
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U.P. Rajarshi Tandon Open Univ.
|
Allahabad
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Uttar Pradesh
|
500
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