The teachers are specialists who not only impart knowledge but also help developing the skills and personalities of the students. The teachers are instrumental in shaping the future of the students. They are given specialised training depending on the level of the classes they are supposed to teach. Teachers at the higher education level require to equip themselves with specialised qualifications/degrees.

Aptitudes that help

At the elementary and secondary levels teacher-aspirants should possess a caring and understanding attitude and an ability to identify the creative potential in each student. Perseverance, good communication skill, organising ability and a pleasant and cheerful demeanour are vital to a person who will be wishing to teach students at any level of education. These qualities help in closely interacting and establishing good rapport with the students of all ages to facilitate learning.

How to start with

Teaching as a profession should not be taken as a second or third choice. One should opt for this only if one has volition for it and his/her attitudes and interests should be compatible to the requirements of the profession.

The general education structure available to our students is divided into different levels which can be graded as
(i) Pre-school/Nursery School
(ii) Primary School
(iii) Secondary
(iv) Higher (Intermediate/College/University)

Three to five year old children go for learning at the pre-school/pre-primary/nursery level where the system is known as Montessori Method of learning. The teachers training/educating at this level are Nursery Training Teachers who are trained in MTT /NTT courses. Basic qualification for a Pre-school/Nursery/Montessori teacher training course is a pass in 10+2/equivalent examination with 50% marks. In government schools, CT trained teachers teach in primary level of education.

Candidates having a B Ed (Bachelor in Education) degree after graduation in Arts/Science/Commerce/Computers subjects are eligible for TGT (Trained Graduate Teachers) posts to teach up to 10th standards students both in government and public schools. Candidates having a B Ed degree with a post graduation in any subject are eligible for PGT (Post Graduate Trained) posts in public schools/Kendriya Vidyalayas/Navodaya Vidyalayas to teach 11th and 12th standard students. In government schools, KVs and NVs conduct a two -stage national level test to recruit teachers at TGT and PGT levels. Again, individuals with more consistent academic records and a clear cut academic profiles are preferred. Refer: www.kvsangathan.org for more details.

It is advisable to go for a B Ed degree at National Council for Teacher Education (NCTE) recognised institutions offering courses or training in teacher education. Again, NCTE has specified that admission for B Ed through distance education mode would be strictly for regular teachers of recognised schools with at least two years teaching experience. For more information, visit www.ncte-in.org

Religious teachers (RRT) are recruited by Indian Army as Junior Commissioned Officers. For detail, visit: www.joinindianarmy.nic.in

Of late, a growing demand for trained Indian teachers in the US is observed. Generally, a minimum requirement includes 3 years of independent teaching experience (Elementary or High School level) in government aided or private/residential schools, 5 years of driving experience, university degree and official transcripts, teacher training and fluency in English. For detail, visit www.vifprogram.com

Candidates teaching in colleges and universities generally have PG qualifications with additional degrees like M. Phil and PhD. Qualification in the National Eligibility Test (NET) conducted by the University Grants Commission (UGC) and the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) in Arts and Science subjects respectively, gives you eligibility for lectureship in Indian colleges and universities.

Apart from earning one’s PhD from any of the universities, candidates can opt for the degree at any of the IITs in specific subjects in humanities/literature/science/technology/inter disciplinary subjects. A candidate requires having a UGC-NET/GATE score to be eligible for the interview stage for the final selection to a PhD programme. Visit : www.acadadmission.iitm.ac.in www.iitk.ac.in/doaa/admissions.html

Specialised Teacher Training Courses

Apart from these, other specialised training programmes for art/craft teachers, physical education instructors, teaching foreign languages and teachers training for the handicapped are offered in many institutes of India.

In order to be an Art Teacher, one must possess a B.F.A. (Bachelor of Fine Art) degree from a recognised university. This study is taken after +2 and the duration is 4-5 years. Admission is based on an aptitude test followed by an interview. For dance or music teachers, professional training in those relevant fields is required.

Academic courses are conducted by the CIEFL (Central Institute of English and Foreign Languages) at Hyderabad for the candidates desirous to take up teaching in English and other foreign languages. The institute offers courses in English, Arabic, French, German, Japanese, Russian and Spanish.

Application form can be obtained by post or it can also be downloaded from CIEFL website:www.ciefl.nc.in. The test for MA in English and other foreign languages is held in June at different centers like Bhubaneswar, Bangalore, Chennai, Delhi, Hyderabad, Kochi, Calcutta, Lucknow, Mumbai and Shillong. Tests and interview for M. Phil and PhD are conducted at Hyderabad.

Prospects

Since the government is spreading awareness about education, increasingly, among the masses, the number of schools and colleges is rising in an unbreakable speed. There is a steady demand for Teachers/lecturers in private/publicly run schools/colleges/universities/institutions.