Teachers Who Don't Teach Contribute To Dropouts

New Delhi, Aug 18 (UNI) Acknowledging that dropouts have to do with such factors as a teacher not teaching-- or ''just not there''-- Human Resource Development Minister Arjun Singh has stressed ''rigorous'' implementation of norms to train ''quality'' teachers.

''I am particularly concerned about the onslaught of commercialisation of education, particularly teacher education,'' Singh said in remarks read out in absentia on the 11th Foundation Day of the National Council for Teacher Education last night.

The HRD Minister was held up in a discussion in Parliament on Indo-US Nuclear Deal and did not make it to the NCTE function. His statement was read out by an organiser.

''We can resist this by devising means and methods which lead to more transparency and accountability in procedures and practices which regulate the recognition norms and standards in teacher education institutions and ensure the placement of qualified and trained teacher and teacher educators in these institutions,'' Singh said.

''In future, it is expected that (the) NCTE will address this aspect on priority basis so that this body attains higher goals of excellence and serve(s) as a model regulatory organisation.'' He blamed high dropout rates on a ''combination of factors-- a school that is far away, one that does not function regularly, a teacher that is engaged in non-teaching work, or is just not there, a method of teaching fails to hold the attention of the child and fear of the teacher.'' Singh also touched on inadequacy of teachers in number as well as quality and called for ''rigorous'' implementation of norms for ''quality of qualification of teacher and teacher educators.'' The HRD Minister said ensuring good quality of instruction was ''the most difficult task'' and cited among causes of poor learning quality ''inadequacy of teachers... reflected in large vacancies'' as also low levels of quality, accountability and motivation at work.

NCTE Chairman S K Thakur spelt out initiatives taken in revising norms of teacher training courses, simplifying recognition procedures and making them transparent.

He said ''necessary flexibility'' was introduced in appointment of teachers in teacher training institutions ''without compromising the quality'' in view of the ground reality of non-availability of adequate number of candidates with NET or SLET qualification and the University Grants Commission decision in the matter.

NCTE was established eleven years ago this day by an Act of Parliament, which mandated it to achieve planned and coordinated development of teacher education and regulate and maintain norms and standards in the teacher education system. It has over the years evolved procedures for recognising teacher education institutions.

Five eminent teacher educators-- Prof B K Passi, Dr D R Vij, Dr J N Joshi, Dr A Sukumaran Nair and Prof R C Dass-- were presented lifetime achievement awards for their valuable contribution in the field of teacher education by UGC Vice Chairman Moolchand Sharma, who was chief guest.

Between them, the five awardees have been working on new pedagogical systems, teacher education and education for the handicapped, and efficiency in education.

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