HRD Minister sets deadline for states to complete training of untrained teachers

Human Resource Development (HRD) Minister Prakash Javadekar has asked the States to complete training of all untrained teachers recruited in their schools by March 31, 2019, making it clear to them that this would the last opportunity to get them compliant with the Right to Education (RTE) Act provisions.

Holding a meeting with the States and Union Territories (UTs) through video conferencing on Wednesday, he informed the State authorities that the Ministry has finalised November 13 as the date for conducting a class-wise and subject-wise survey of the learning outcome of the school children across the country for the first time.

Javadekar asked the States to incorporate into their RTE Rules the parameters set for evaluation of the minimum learning outcome of the students at the earliest so that the nationwide survey to assess class-wise and subject-wise learning achievements of the pupils could be held on the date finalised by his Ministry.

About 11.09 lakh teachers have to complete a D.EL.ED programme within till March 31, 2019. The government recently extended the period of completion of the training exercise as its deadline got over in March 2015 leaving lakhs of teachers ineligible to teach in schools under the RTE Act.

“During the meeting, it was emphasised that this would be the last opportunity for any teacher to acquire the professional qualifications,” the Ministry said in a statement.

Javadekar told the States that the National Institute of Open Schooling (NIOS) will conduct an online D.EL.ED course for which registration has started on August 15 and will continue till September 15, 2017.

“The educational material will be uploaded for free access on the SWAYAM portal and broadcasted through the SWAYAM PRABHA channels,” he added.

All states assured that they would take all steps to enrol all their in-service un-trained teachers in the prescribed course so that they get untrained by March 31, 2019, the Ministry said.

The video conference was attended by various State School Education Ministers and Administrators of UTs along with their officials.

“West Bengal government did not participate in the meeting,” sources said.