In a vast and diverse country like India, maintaining education at a quality level is a huge challenge. Teachers are the backbone of this system and it is very important to strengthen the process of preparing them. To fulfill this objective, the Government of India established the National Council for Teacher Education (NCTE). NCTE not only ensures the quality of teacher education, but also recognizes whether a teacher education institution or course meets the standards set in the country.
In this article we will know what is NCTE, why its certificate is necessary, how it is an important step towards becoming a teacher and what impact it has on the education system.
What is NCTE?
The National Council for Teacher Education is a statutory body constituted under the NCTE Act passed in 1993. Its main objective is to promote planned and coordinated development in the field of teacher education across the country.
This institution monitors teacher training programs, institutes, courses, and processes across the country and ensures that the rules, standards, and quality set by teacher education institutions are being followed.
What is NCTE Certificate?
The NCTE certificate is a symbol of recognition that this institution provides to a teacher education program or institution if it follows the standards and rules set by NCTE.
This certificate shows that the B.Ed, D.El.Ed, M.Ed or other teacher training course offered by an institution is nationally recognized and of quality.
Why is NCTE certification necessary?
Legal requirement: Any degree or diploma required to become a teacher in India, such as B.Ed, D.El.Ed etc., must be from an institution recognized by NCTE. If you have received training from a non-recognized institute, you will be considered ineligible to become a teacher in government or most private schools.
Quality guarantee: NCTE recognizes only those institutions that are capable of providing good quality education to the students. For this, the organization tests things like infrastructure, faculty, curriculum, educational resources and student-teacher ratio.
Employment opportunities increase: Candidates holding a degree recognized by NCTE are given preference in government schools, Kendriya Vidyalayas, Navodaya Vidyalayas, private schools and educational institutions.
Professional and ethical qualifications: NCTE emphasizes not only teaching knowledge but also professional ethics, discipline and teaching skills required for a teacher.
At which levels is NCTE recognition necessary?
NCERT recognition is required for every level of teacher in India, such as:
- Pre-Primary Teacher
- Primary Teacher
- Secondary Teacher
- Senior Secondary Teacher
- Special Education Teacher
- Professors/Teachers of Teacher Training Institutes
Which courses should be recognized by NCTE?
If you are thinking of becoming a teacher, then do the following courses from institutions recognized by NCTE:
- B.Ed (Bachelor of Education)
- D.El.Ed (Diploma in Elementary Education)
- M.Ed (Master of Education)
- B.P.Ed (Bachelor of Physical Education)
- B.A. B.Ed / B.Sc. B.Ed (Integrated Programs)
- D.P.S.E (Diploma in Pre-School Education)
Process to obtain NCTE certificate
For institutions:
Online application: Institutions have to apply on the official website of NCTE.
Fee submission: The prescribed fee has to be deposited along with the application.
Site inspection: The institution is visited and evaluated by the NCTE team.
Report and evaluation: Based on the inspection report, it is decided whether the institution should be recognized or not.
Issuance of certificate: Institutions found eligible are given a certificate by NCTE.
For students:
Students must ensure that the institution from which they are doing teacher training is recognized by NCTE. For this, you can visit www.ncte.gov.in and see the list of recognized institutions.
Benefits of NCTE Certificate
| Benefits | Description |
|---|---|
| Validity | Certificate makes your degree valid across the country |
| Eligibility for government jobs | Eligibility for teacher recruitment exams of central and state governments |
| Better training | Quality curriculum and trained faculty |
| Professional recognition | A recognised status as a teacher |
Impact on the education system
NCTE certificate has a direct impact on the education quality of the country. When teachers come to school with good training, they create an inspiring and effective educational environment for the learners. This improves the academic performance of students and also increases the literacy level of the country.
Conclusion
In today’s time when the quality of education and the role of a teacher has become of utmost importance, NCTE certificate is a document that secures the future of both the teacher and the learner. If you are planning to become a teacher, make sure that your education and training is from an institution recognized by NCTE.
Teaching is a sacred profession, and before entering this profession it is necessary that you come with full preparation and credentials. And for this, NCTE certificate is the first and most important step.
