The Centre has refused to allow new BEd colleges to spring into existence as they are concerned over the dropping standards of teacher training institutions in the country. Union Human Resource Development Minister Prakash Javadekar said that 2017 will be a “zero year” for new colleges in the field and existing colleges will undergo an audit for quality.
Concerned over the quality of the teacher training institutions, Union HRD Minister Prakash Javadekar observed on Tuesday that BEd colleges were opening like “fly by night operators” until now. “You pay today and get the degree tomorrow”.
“With the enhanced focus on the teacher training, all this need to be stopped. So it was decided no new BEd colleges will open in the country,” he added.
Talking about opening new BEd colleges, he said that this year will be a ‘zero year’ and also existing colleges will have to undergo a quality inspection.
“We have asked for quality affidavits and so far only 7,000 of them have submitted. We have also issued show-cause notices to nearly 4,000 BEd colleges,” he added.
“The practical component will be increased in the teacher training modules and practical sessions will be conducted in government schools which will be under observation of the teachers there and student feedback will also be given importance,” Javadekar said.
