HRD Ministry Takes Steps to Improve Quality of Teaching

The HRD Ministry is coming up with new steps in an attempt to improve the quality of education provided to students as well as concerns related to shortage of teachers. Some of the new found ways are involvement of retired teachers, adopting IIM-designed modules for educational administrators and a grading system for teacher training institutes.

HRD Minister Smriti Irani along with other education ministers and officials decided to initiate a 'pilot project' to encourage volunteers and retired teachers to contribute to rural schools. For the same, the government might come up with a mobile app which can help the HRD Ministry to enlist citizens willing to volunteer as teachers.

Ex-servicemen could also be utilised in schools for physical training and till now eighteen states have shown their willingness to work towards the same goal.

In the meeting, it has been decided that during April-May, a two-three day workshop for educational administrators in higher education will be organised by the UGC. These workshops will be developed by IIMs and these modules may be adopted by state governments which can carry the process forward by organising similar workshops for principals and heads of other institutions, officials said.

Another method is to come up with a grading framework for teacher-education institutions so as to provide an idea of the quality of institutes.

Education Research and Training (NCERT) will conduct a review of State Councils of Educational Research and Training (SCERTs) and District Institutes of Education and Training (DIETs) and prepare a roadmap for strengthening of these institutes. UGC will similarly undertake training of college principals, the statement added.