NCTE's Major Shift: One-Year BEd Course to Enhance Teacher Training

Revamping Teacher Education: One-Year BEd Course Returns After a Decade

On January 20, Pankaj Arora, chairman of the National Council for Teacher Education (NCTE), announced the reintroduction of the one-year Bachelor of Education (BEd) course, ending a decade-long hiatus. In line with the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, the program will be available to those with a four-year bachelor's or a master's degree, providing a faster route to becoming educators. This move aims to improve the quality and accessibility of teacher training in India.

On January 20, the commission formed an eight-member committee to finalize the curriculum framework for various courses, including the one-year BEd program, by NEP provisions. During a meeting on January 11, the teacher education regulator’s governing body approved key decisions, including the start of the one-year BEd course. Pankaj Arora stated that the commission is working with the education ministry to present draft NCTE regulations 2025 to the public, aiming to replace the 2014 regulations once they become an Act. Arora clarified that the one-year BEd program will be available to four-year undergraduate and two-year postgraduate students, but not to those with three-year undergraduate degrees, who will need to pursue the two-year BEd program. He also stated that institutions offering the two-year BEd program must become multidisciplinary institutes by 2028.

Since its inception in 1995, the NCTE has offered the one-year BEd program but discontinued it in 2014 following recommendations from two expert panels, led by Justice JS Verma and Prof. Poonam Batra. The panels cited concerns over the quality of teacher training. As per the NCTE (Recognition Norms and Procedure) Regulations, 2014, the BEd program was extended to two years, including a mandatory 20-week school internship.

Batra, a professor at Delhi University, explained the shift from a one-year to a two-year BEd program, noting that Indian universities continued the colonial-era one-year model until the NCTE’s formation in 1995. In 2011, after the Maharashtra government's opposition to NCTE’s recognition of private teacher training institutes, the Supreme Court formed a Commission led by Justice JS Verma to review the sector. The Commission’s report, accepted by the Court, recommended extending the BEd program to two years to move beyond the colonial framework, better contextualize teacher preparation, and allow time for study and exploration of diverse pedagogical approaches. The change was implemented in 2014.

They introduced a two-year BEd program in 2015. Batra criticized the decision to reinstate the one-year BEd program, calling it a return to the colonial model and a "regressive step" that could harm teacher training. In response, Arora emphasized that the one-year BEd program aims to ensure parity across teacher education programs. He assured that NCTE remains committed to quality and has formed a committee to maintain standards, including continued practical training and school internships.

Arora announced plans to launch specialized four-year Integrated Teacher Education Program (ITEP) courses in Yoga, Sanskrit, Art, and Physical Education starting this year. The ITEP, which began in 2023-24, is currently offered by 64 institutes. Additionally, they will introduce a one-year Master’s in Education (MEd) and a two-year part-time MEd program starting this year. The reintroduction of the one-year BEd course reflects NCTE's commitment to enhancing teacher education, ensuring quality training, and aligning with modern educational needs.

Editor's Note:

The reintroduction of the one-year Bachelor of Education (BEd) course marks a significant shift in India's teacher education landscape. This move, in alignment with the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, offers a faster route for those with a four-year bachelor's or a master's degree to enter the teaching profession. This change is expected to improve the accessibility of teacher training, allowing more aspiring educators to join the workforce quickly. However, it's crucial to ensure that the quality of education and training is not compromised. This revamped program aims to maintain high standards, equipping educators with the skills and knowledge needed to thrive in today's dynamic educational environment.

Skoobuzz believes that this shift has the potential to shape the future of teaching in India, fostering a new generation of well-prepared and motivated educators.