80% of our teacher educators are far removed from the global approaches and methodologies

Updated on: Wednesday, February 27, 2013

If over 99% failure percentage at the recently declared Central Teachers Eligibility Test 2012 results is any indication of the quality of pool of teachers in waiting, now a study on teachers' education showed how 80% of our teacher educators are not only far removed from the global approaches and methodologies, but also how India's teacher training mechanism practice teaching and internships. The survey conducted by the Confederation of Indian Industry showed the 80% of the teacher educators (TEs) are of the view that the current MEd course is inadequate on psychological aspects of adult learning, while 73% teacher educators expressed that the technology integration in MEd curriculum, including classroom practices is either missing or inadequate.

The study found that the four key factors which affect quality training of teachers need immediate attention and a policy shake up. The study found the infrastructure inadequate, TEs lack preparedness to integrate global approaches to learning, there is gaps in training methodologies and non-integration of curriculum has been adversely affecting the quality of teachers churned out by the various teacher training colleges/ institutes.

The report 'Towards Professional Preparation of Teacher Educators' is a critical analysis of the current teacher educator profile and competencies. The study was conducted among 20 teacher training institutes, District Institutes of Education Training, principals, TEs, MEd students, and experts from State Councils for Educational Research and Training, UGC, National University of Educational Planning and Administration. The report, released on Tuesday by the minister of state for human resource development, Shashi Tharoor, delved in areas like profile of the TEs, skills and competencies, effectiveness and gaps in the current MEd curriculum. These include core areas of teaching-learning process and assessment mechanisms, classroom management, research, internship; management of teacher education and strategies for the use and adoption of technology in teacher education.

Against a backdrop that quality of learners depends on quality of teachers and as per a recent analysis by HRD's department of school education and literacy there is an urgent need for improving institutional capacity for teacher trainers. At present only 892 institutions with an approved intake of 28,957 students are recognized by the National Council for Teacher Education to prepare TEs. Meanwhile, around 35% of faculty positions are lying vacant in the central universities, 50% in the state universities and 40% in other higher education institutions.

The study found out that 76% of DIET TEs had little awareness about the global approaches to learning, and 69% respondents expressed the view that mentoring STs on "decision making for classroom environment", was of utmost importance, which the MEd curriculum failed to fully equip TEs with these skills.

80% of our teacher educators are far removed from the global approaches and methodologies

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