SSA teachers trained in other courses may get breather

SHILLONG: The Directorate of Educational Research and Training (DERT) has submitted a proposal to the government that says teachers who have acquired training in courses like junior teachers’ course and diploma in elementary education should be treated as qualified and they need not register for D.El.Ed programme of NIOS.
In a meeting with members of the Meghalaya Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan School Association, DERT Director TG Momin said that it was proposed that teachers with JTTC, DIET, BTC and D.ED certificates need not enroll for the NIOS diploma course.
However, he did not assure the SSA teachers because “the final decision will be taken by the government”. Momin has also sent a reminder to the government on September 7.
The teachers’ body also met Educations Secretary WR Lyngdoh to seek clarification on the letter issued by Laskein Block Mission Coordinator (BMC) to head teachers of SSA schools in Raliang on August 23, which states that teachers who have completed the one-year course in DIET and JTTC are considered untrained as per NCTE/RTE norms.
However, it is clearly mentioned in the NCTE Regulations that JTTC, DIET, BTC and D.ED will be referred to as Diploma in Elementary Education (D.EL.ED).
Lyngdoh said the matter raised by the association cannot be solved as the government has to seek clarification from the HRD Ministry since the latest clarification sent has not mentioned whether elementary school teachers trained in other courses can be consider as trained.
He further said the BMC of Laskien Block issued the letter without the knowledge and concern of the Education Department. The teachers’ body condemned BMC and urged SSA-SEMAM to take action.