INTRODUCTION
Teacher education refers to the policies and procedures designed to equip prospective teachers with the knowledge, attitudes, behaviours and skills they require to perform their tasks effectively in the classroom, school and wider community.
Continuous efforts are being made to improve quality of teacher training to ensure high standard in teacher effectiveness. The efforts for improving quality of teachers are also never ending. The task is important, huge and continuous. As a sequel to NPE 1986, some teacher training institutions have been upgraded. Teacher education is often divided into:
- Pre-service teacher education (a pre-service course before entering the classroom as a fully responsible teacher);
- Faculty development or continuing professional development (CPD) (an in-service process for practicing teachers).
The vitality and role of teacher education in quality assurance is recognised by all sides. In the report of NKC and Yashpal Committee following major recommendations are made. Teacher Education programme varies from university to university. Considering the norms of NCTE, UGC and SCERT the teacher education programs are formed. This paper is a focus towards teacher education in Marathwada region with exclusive references of Swami Ramanand Teerth Marathwada University.
TEACHER EDUCATION PROGRAMME IN MARATHWADA
Marathwada is identical region of Maharashtra with its social, cultural, economic and geographical aspects. Educational movement in Marathwada began in post independence period and especially teacher education programme is introduced during 1970-80 and University departments at Aurangabad and Nanded are established during last 5 years. The growth of Teacher Education programme in the jurisdiction of SRTM University is as Other details of program are as follows- Demand Ratio:
Admission procedure for B. Ed. is centralized for the state and is through specific admission test, ‘CET’ – Common Eligibility Test. Two separate CETs are conducted for this, one by Government and its associated colleges and another by association of non-aided teacher education colleges. Actually students who want to take admission to B. Ed. course must successfully pass CET Examination. Through CET examination the Teaching Aptitude, Attitude, Mental Abilities, and General Knowledge are assessed. All the seats are filled up on the basis of merit.
At least 45% marks on the aggregate at Degree for open category and 40% marks for reserved category students are required. The academic session of the colleges starts from second week of June. The student teacher ratio in B. Ed. college is 1:12 at present; The number of teaching staff is 8 Lecturers and 1 Principal. Very often due to delay in admission process, starting of academic session is delayed whereby the course is hurriedly completed. In this situation, it is questionable whether transfer of required teaching skills and attitudes take place. Govt. must make it mandatory for admissions to be completed within stipulated time period.
