Page 9 - DEDU505_TEACHER_EDUCATION_ENGLISH

Unit 1: Teacher Education: Meaning, Historical Perspectives

Self Assessment Notes
1. Fill in the blanks
(i) In 1906-1956, the program of teacher preparation was called .......................... .
(ii) ......................... includes the philosophical, sociological, psychological considerations which
enable the teacher to have a sound basis for practicing the teaching skills in the classroom.
(iii) ............................... include the techniques, strategies and approaches that would help teachers
to grow in the professional.
(iv) ....................... has become differentiated into stage-specific programmes.

1.2 Historical Perspectives of Teacher Education

The history of teacher education in India is as old as the history of Indian education itself. If there
had been education in the society in any form there must have been teachers and students in
existence. Education of teacher's education system was started in 2500 B.C. as education itself. The
history of Indian teacher education may be divided into five parts:
1. Ancient and Medieval Period : 2500 B.C. to 500 B.C.
2. Buddhist Period : 500 B.C. to 1200 A.D.
3. Muslim Period : 1200 A.D. to 1700 A.D.
4. British Period : 1700 A.D. to 1947 Add.
5. Teacher education Post-Independence
period in India : 1947 up to this date.
1.2.1 Ancient and Medieval Period
There is little evidence to help us construct even an outline of the system of Teacher Training during
this period. In the beginning of Indian civilization all teaching was concerned with teaching of
'Vedas'. Out of four classes of Aryan Society, there were only Brahmins who served as masters of the
community. This periodic classes deviated themselves to the work of acquisition, conversation and
promotion of knowledge and of the transmission of prosperity. they looked at it as their duty to
learn and to teach. Gaining knowledge is a two way traffic between the teacher and taught.
Because there was caste system at that time, each caste was dedicated to its profession. Brahmins
were earning their livelihood by teaching. These Brahmins were employed by high class people.
There was no training in any institution. they get trained from 'Gurus' in their families by guardians
and parents. It was first a hereditary process-teacher learnt art of teaching family. In this way
teaching profession continued from one generation to another.
Methods and techniques of teaching were very simple. A student had to rely completely on the
word of the teacher. There was a close contact between a teacher and taught. 'Manu' lays down that
the Brahmins alone shall teach 'Vedas' and none else.
In this way we find that there was no formal system of teacher's training. It was the hereditary
process from 2500 B.C. to 500 B.C. until the Buddhist Period started.
1.2.2 Buddhist Period
During the Buddhist period the importance of teacher education was recognized. It got an expansion.
It was felt that the profession of teaching was not the right privilege of only Brahmins. Any
enlightened person from any class of the community may get the status of a teacher after a vigorous
training.
A vigorous, well elaborated and thorough system of training for that purpose of propagating
Buddhists preachers and religion not for schools. teachers were monks who were spreading the
spirit of Buddhist religion to the people ceremony and Upsampada ceremony. Afterwards he had to
pass the two stages and was ready to get status of a teacher. He was kept under the supervision of the
two teachers. He learned the elements of morality, precious conduct and got training in 'Dharma'
and discipline. He learnt not only the theory of these elements but lived his life when supervisors
were satisfied. They gave license or a certificate to be fit for the profession of teaching.

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