National Council for Teacher Education, Function, Structure

The National Council for Teacher Education (NCTE) is a statutory body in India that plays a crucial role in maintaining and improving the quality of teacher education. It is responsible for formulating policies and programs, as well as coordinating the development of teacher education across the country. Aspiring teachers who aim to join schools and educational institutions should have detailed knowledge about NCTE as its an important part of their Teaching Career and scoring topic in teaching exam.

What is the National Council for Teacher Education?

The National Council for Teacher Education, or NCTE, is a statutory body of Govt Of India. It is an autonomous body for regulating and monitoring teacher education in India. It is responsible for setting up norms and standards for various courses related to teaching. It also conducts numerous examinations for these courses.

It comes under the Ministry of Education. Recently, it launched a portal to streamline the entire process of recognition of teacher education programs of Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) and Teacher Education Institutions (TEIs).

NCTE Full Form

NCTE Full Form is National Council for Teacher Education. The National Council for Teacher Education (NCTE) was established on August 17, 1995, as a statutory body under the Government of India. Its primary objective is to ensure systematic and coordinated development of teacher education across the country. The NCTE is entrusted with the responsibility of regulating and upholding the prescribed norms and standards for teacher education, contributing to the enhancement of teaching quality nationwide.

UGC NET Study Notes for Paper 1

Origin of NCTE

NCTE came into existence in 1995 under the National Council for Teacher Education Act of 1993. Section 17 of this act states the following, “The National Council for Teacher Education shall be responsible for the development and implementation of a procedure to ensure that an institute of higher education offering a teacher preparation program meets the National Standards for Accreditation set forth in this section”.

Structure of the National Council for Teacher Education

The National Council for Teacher Education has its headquarters in New Delhi. There are four regional committees of NCTE, i.e., NRC, SRC, WRC, and ERC, situated in New Delhi to look over its statutory responsibilities. There is one Chairperson who heads the entire body and the four regional committees. Just below him/her is a Vice Chairperson. Below these are Member secretaries, i.e., 3 Deputy Secretaries at NCTE headquarters and 1 Regional Director at each Regional Committee.

Objectives of the National Council for Teacher Education

The ambit of the National Council for Teacher Education is wide and covers a range of education programs. From research and training of persons to equip them with the knowledge and skill to teach, the NCTE covers education at all levels. The National Council for Teacher Education has two main broad objectives.

• The first objective is to achieve planned and coordinated development of the teacher education system throughout the country.
• The regulation and proper maintenance of Norms/Regulations and Standards in the teacher education system and any other matter connected to it.

NCTE programmes

A number of programs are recognized by NCTE to fulfill these objectives. Some of these programs which are on diploma, Bachelor and Masters level has been mentioned below.

Functions of the National Council for Teacher Education

The NCTE covers the entire range of teacher education programs in India, from diploma in Elementary Education to B.ed and M.ed. It includes research and training that is more in line to equip students and teachers to the demands of the new school system as per the NEP 2020. It has been given various significant roles and has taken up various mandates such as Integrated Teacher Education Program (ITEP), National Professional Standards for Teachers (NPST), and National Mission for Mentoring (NMM). Here is a small snippet of its core functions and responsibilities.

• Accreditation for Institutions working in Teacher training and upskilling.
• Conduct surveys of teacher education.
• Advises the central and state government in all matters relating to teacher education.
• Specifies the minimum qualification for a person to be eligible for appointment as a teacher in schools.
• Recognises courses and programs leading to a teaching qualification.
• It derecognizes courses and programs that do not meet minimum prescribed standards.
• Registers teachers and authorizes them to teach in schools.
• Conducts examinations for the award of certificates to successful candidates.

National Council for Teacher Education & NEP 2020

The National Education Policy 2020 brought a series of changes at all levels, including the Teacher Education Institutions. The NCTE is tasked with planning a detailed action plan to bring these Teacher Education Institutions (TEIs) to implement the key aspects of NEP 2020.

The NCTE plans on moving TEI to multidisciplinary colleges and universities by 2030 in a phased manner. One of the crucial pillars to all of this implementation of NEP 2020 is National Professional Standards for Teachers (NPST). NCTE develops this for determining attributes of teachers at different levels of their career path.

Why is the National Council for Teacher Education important?

The NCTE plays a vital role in setting the standards for teaching training throughout India. Thus, it maintains uniformity in quality teachers. NCTE implements various measures to fulfill the demands of NEP 2020. It regulates teacher education throughout the country to make sure teachers are trained to follow a certain standard. The National Council for Teacher Education (NCTE) is important for several reasons:

• Regulation of Teacher Education: The NCTE is responsible for formulating and maintaining standards and guidelines for teacher education programs in India. It ensures that teacher education institutions adhere to these standards, which helps in improving the quality of teacher training and, consequently, the overall quality of education in the country.
• Ensuring Quality Teachers: By setting rigorous standards for teacher education, the NCTE plays a crucial role in producing well-qualified and competent teachers. It ensures that teachers are equipped with the necessary knowledge, skills, and pedagogical training to effectively impart education to students.
• Enhancing Professionalism: The NCTE promotes professionalism in the teaching profession by setting benchmarks for teacher preparation and continuous professional development. It encourages teachers to engage in lifelong learning and stay updated with the latest teaching methodologies and best practices.
• Accreditation and Recognition: The NCTE grants recognition and accreditation to teacher education institutions, ensuring that only institutions meeting the prescribed standards are authorized to offer teacher training programs. This helps in weeding out substandard institutions and maintaining a reputable and accountable teacher education system.
• Fostering Research and Innovation: The NCTE encourages research and innovation in teacher education, pedagogy, and educational practices. It supports initiatives that lead to the advancement of teaching methods, curriculum development, and educational technologies.
• Promoting Inclusive Education: The NCTE advocates for inclusive education practices, ensuring that teachers are trained to cater to the diverse learning needs of students, including those with disabilities and from marginalized backgrounds.
• Developing Teaching Policies: The NCTE actively collaborates with other educational bodies and government agencies in the formulation of policies related to teacher education and the teaching profession. It provides valuable insights and recommendations for educational reforms.
• Continuous Evaluation and Improvement: The NCTE regularly reviews and evaluates teacher education programs to identify areas of improvement. This helps in addressing emerging challenges and adapting teacher education to the evolving needs of the education system.
• Global Recognition: The NCTE’s efforts in maintaining high-quality teacher education standards also contribute to India’s recognition in the global education community. It ensures that Indian teachers are well-prepared to meet international standards, enhancing the credibility of Indian education abroad.

Download UGC NET Paper 1 Study Notes PDF

The direct Link to Download UGC NET Study Notes Paper 1 PDF has been mentioned below. Candidate can download National Council for Teacher Education, Function, Structure Study Notes PDF which has been mentioned below.

Download NCTE, Function, Structure Study Notes PDF

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