Dimapur, Aug. 24 (EMN): Dean of School of Humanities and Education and Head In-charge, department of Teacher Education, Nagaland University (NU), Kohima Campus, Prof. N Das has underlined the need for more colleges of teacher education in Nagaland to solve the problem of about fourteen thousand untrained teachers serving in the state.
Prof. N Das, who was the special guest of a two-day national seminar on ‘Issues and challenges in teacher education’ stated this in his inaugural speech. The two-day national seminar was organised by Unity College of Teacher Education (UCTE) on August 23 and 24 with a view to address the issues and challenges before teacher education institutions and agencies.
The seminar brought scholars, faculties and institution on a common platform to share ideas, information and experiences on various aspects of education. The programme was begun with a welcome address from the principal of Unity College of Teacher Education, Dr. T. Yolila Sangtam.
Prof. Gayatree Goswami, department of Education, Guwahati University, in her inaugural address, brought out the essence of teaching, which should be a passion and not just a job for the teachers, stated an update from the college principal.
Dr. Vijaykumar R, Regional Director, Northern Regional Committee, National Council of Teacher Education (NCTE), New Delhi, in his key note address, discussed some of the ongoing issues and challenges in teacher education namely lack of proper infrastructure and facilities, lack of internship motivation, lack of quality teacher educators which is the hallmark of teacher education, and lapses on the part of the institution to strictly administer as per the norms and regulation of NCTE.
He also stated on the various programmes implemented to enhance the quality of teacher education. He, however, added that those programmes could be successfully implemented only when the respective State Council of Teacher Education and various colleges of teacher education collaborate and work effectively.
Dr. Vijaykumar also stated that in near future diploma courses are likely to be removed and make BA with B. Ed as mandatory qualification for a teacher. The speaker also pointed the drawbacks in the Indian education system which give more weightage on examination process by citing examples of the education system in Finland where the learners go through six hours of examination to display maximum learning. He further acknowledged UCTE for meeting the minimal infrastructure and facilities required to administer an institution of teacher education.
The seminar culminated on August 24 with the valedictory programme where 28 paper presenters were felicitated followed by feedback from the participants.
