Updated on: Saturday, March 24, 2012
The government approved modifications of the existing scheme on restructuring and reorganisation of teacher education with an aim to improve teaching standards in the country.
The approval was given by the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs to meet the increasing challenges of the teacher education system and fulfil the mandate of the government with regard to teacher preparation and training under the Right To Education (RTE) Act.
A government release said, the modifications would include strengthening of existing institutes of advanced study in education and upgradation of departments of education of universities into 'institutes of advanced study in education'.
Strengthening of existing 'district institutes of education and training' and extending their mandate for training of teachers at the secondary level would also be carried out, it said.
The modification of the existing schemes will also include establishment of block institutes of teacher education in 196 identified SC/ST/Minority concentration districts for undertaking elementary pre-service teacher education programmes.
According to the statement, the revision of fund sharing pattern between the Centre and the state to carry out the modifications will be in 75:25 ratio.
The scheme will be implemented through state governments, which will submit their annual proposals for consideration and approval of the 'teacher education approval board' constituted by the department.