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Teacher Education

Notes Inspection provides the most credible basis for arriving at such a satisfaction; on the other hand,
‘satisfaction’ drawn on the basis of third party information, without being cross-verified on the
ground, may not stand the test of law. It may also be mentioned that since the Regional Committee
conducts inspection prior to grant of recognition/permission, it would be within its powers to
cause an inspection before withdrawing recognition/permission. In order to remove this difficulty,
the provision would require amendment unless the Supreme Court chooses to reconsider its decision.
Notwithstanding the above, the NCTE will need to prepare a Regulation laying down the procedure
for implementing section 17. Such procedure should have the following elements :
(a) The source(s) of information on the basis of which section 17 could be invoked;
(b) The action to be taken on receipt of information. This may include ; (i) sending a notice to the
institution along with the complaint/information, requesting the institution to give its say in
the matter; (ii) examining the reply of the institution and deciding further course of action;
(c) Exercising one of the following options after receiving reply from the institution :
• closing the matter if the Regional Committee is satisfied that the information is incorrect;
• withdrawing recognition if it is satisfied that the institution has contravened the law and
conditions laid down for recognition/permission, after affording due opportunity;
• direct the institution to remove certain deficiencies, and improve quality within a definite
time frame; or
• cause inspection (after requesting the Council), and take consequential action thereafter;
(d) Review of the existing format of inspection, including composition of the VT, to ensure that
the inspection should not only be of infrastructural and instructional facilities, but also key
quality aspects of the processes followed for transacting the curriculum, learning and teaching
materials used, etc.
The Commission recommends that the NCTE should formulate appropriate Regulation for
implementing section 17, taking into consideration the aforementioned guidelines.
Methodology to Assess the Quality of Teacher Education Institutions:
Assessment and Accreditation: The NCTE needs to evolve a system of assessment and accreditation
of teacher education institutions, results of which should be placed in public domain for transparency,
informed decision making by students and others concerned, push institutions to improve quality,
and provide the NCTE credible information regarding the performance of an institution. At present,
certain categories of institutions are required to obtain accreditation from the National Assessment
and Accreditation Council (NAAC) of the University Grants Commission (UGC). Under the present
Regulations, a large percentage of institutions are not required to obtain such accreditation. These
include all institution imparting non-degree courses, and institutions offering B.Ed who do not
intend to enhance their intake.
Recognizing the importance of periodic accreditation as a tool of quality assurance, the NCTE must
make it mandatory for all TEls to obtain accreditation from an approved agency and get it renewed
every five years. The NCTE should set up an autonomous Teacher Education Assessment and
Accreditation centre (TEAAC) which would perform the following functions :
(i) Setting of quality standards which institutions are required to adhere;
(ii) Develop and enforce a system of self-appraisal by institutions which should be placed in
public domain, both by the Institution, and by the NCTE;
(iii) Develop a framework for mandatory accreditation of all teacher education institutions;
(iv) Cause accreditation of the institutions by existing organizations specializing in this field
(NAAC, NBA, etc) and by setting up a body to accredit teacher education institutions;
(v) Place accreditation reports in public domain for transparency, informed decision-making,
etc.

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