Union Education Minister Pralhad Joshi launched a six-month Certificate (Bridge) Course in Primary Teacher Education (PTE) in New Delhi on September 16.
The programme is designed for in-service primary school teachers who hold a Bachelor of Education (BEd) degree and need certification to teach Classes one to five.
The course will be implemented through the National Institute of Open Schooling (NIOS) and aims to strengthen teaching skills at the foundational and primary stages. It will focus on child-centred, inclusive and development-appropriate teaching practices.
TRAINING DESIGNED FOR PRIMARY CLASSROOMS
Designed according to the framework of the National Council for Teacher Education (NCTE), the course will include academic learning, at least 10 days of online contact classes and a minimum of 20 days of school-based experience.
The programme consists of six theory courses and a school-based practicum. Teachers will learn how to respond to the diverse learning needs of young children and connect educational theory with classroom practice.
The course will also include practice teaching, reflective journals, portfolios, video tutorials, e-learning materials and digital platforms. It will be delivered through the open and distance learning (ODL) mode, allowing teachers to continue their professional responsibilities while studying.
WHO CAN APPLY FOR THE BRIDGE COURSE?
The course follows the Supreme Court’s April 8, 2024, judgement in Devesh Sharma vs Union of India and Others. The judgement empowered the NCTE to develop a bridge course for primary teachers appointed without a Diploma in Elementary Education (DElEd) qualification.
The programme is intended for in-service primary teachers appointed between June 28, 2018, and August 11, 2023, with a BEd degree. Their appointments must be protected under the NCTE Gazette Notification dated June 28, 2018.
ONLINE ADMISSION AND EXAM LANGUAGES
The medium of instruction will be Hindi and English. However, teachers can write the theory examination in any of the 22 scheduled languages listed in the Eighth Schedule.
Admissions will be conducted online through the official NIOS bridge course portal, bridge.nios.ac.in. Eligible teachers can register, upload documents and track their admission status through the dashboard.
All course materials, including self-learning resources, will be provided digitally. Teachers will also have access to supplementary audio, video and interactive learning content.
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