National Council for Teacher Education (NCTE) launched Integrated Teacher Education Program (ITEP) in 57 teacher education institutions (TEIs) nationwide for the academic year 2023–2024, the Ministry of Education announced on Saturday. This is the NCTE’s flagship programme for NEP 2020.
BA and BEd, BSc and BEd, or BCom and BEd are available as dual-major college degrees through ITEP, a four-year programme. The National Testing Agency (NTA) will administer the National Common Entrance Test in order to determine admission to the school (NCET).
In an official statement, the ministry said, “This course will prepare teachers for the 4 stages of the new school structure i.e. Foundational, Preparatory, Middle and Secondary (5+3+3+4). The programme is being offered in pilot mode initially in reputed Central/State Government Universities/Institutions. ITEP will be available for all students who choose teaching as a profession after Secondary, by choice. This integrated course will benefit students since they will save one year by finishing the course in 4 years rather than the customary 5 years required by the present B.Ed. plan.”
“ITEP will not only impart cutting-edge pedagogy but will also establish a foundation in early childhood care and education (ECCE), foundational literacy and numeracy (FLN), inclusive education, and an understanding of India and its values/ethos/art/traditions, among others. The course will contribute substantially to the revitalization of the whole teacher education sector” it further added.
