NCTE revises norms for recruitment of primary teachers

A graduate with at least 50% marks and a BEd degree can also now be considered for appointment as a teacher for Classes I to V.

Within two years after being appointed as a primary school teacher, however, such a candidate will have to "mandatorily" undergo and complete a six-month bridge course in elementary education recognised by the National Council for Technical Education (NCTE).

The NCTE has brought in enabling provisions for this, amending its 2010 regulations that specify minimum qualifications of candidates required for appointment as teachers in the country's schools under the Right to Education (RTE) Act.

In a clause specifying minimum qualifications for recruitment of primary school teachers in the 2010 regulations, the council has inserted a new stipulation: "Graduation with at least 50% marks and Bachelor of Education (BEd)".

"Who has acquired the qualification of Bachelor of Education (BEd) from any NCTE recognised institution shall be considered for appointment as a teacher in Classes I to V provided the person so appointed as a teacher shall mandatorily undergo a six month bridge course in elementary education recognised by the NCTE, within two years of such appointment as primary teacher," the council also provided.

The NCTE notified the revised regulations in an official gazette recently.

The move is aimed at enabling the schools to fill up vacancies of teachers in lower primary classes across the country with quality teachers.

The changes in the rules would also enable schools and the respective departments of education to meet the shortage through rationalisation of the deployment of their existing pool of graduate teachers.

So far, only a senior secondary pass out with at least 45% marks and a two-year diploma in elementary education or four-year bachelor of elementary education (B El Ed) was eligible for a primary school teaching job.

A senior secondary pass out or its equivalent with 50% marks and a two-year diploma in special education recognised by the NCTE was also eligible for appointment as primary school teachers under the RTE Act.

According to NCTE, the candidates applying for teaching jobs in the government schools are required to qualify a teachers eligibility test, conducted both at the central and state levels.

This provision will continue to be applicable to the all candidates, including a graduate with a BEd, applying for teaching jobs at government schools.