Ganderbal, Oct 30: School of Education (SoE), Central University of Kashmir (CUK) in collaboration with the National Council of Teacher Education (NCTE), a Statutory body of the Government of India, organised an “Information Sharing Session on NEP 2020 in the context of Integrated Teacher Education Programme (ITEP), at varsity’s Tulmulla campus here Monday.
Head department of Management Studies, and senior most Professor, Prof. Abdul Gani, Presided over the event. NCTE, Member Secretary, Mrs. Kesang Y. Sherpa, Chairman, Norther, Regional Committee (NCTE) Prof. H.C.S Rathore, Under Secretary (Regulations) NCTE, Mr. Ravinder Singh, Nodal Officer, NEP, Mr. Dinesh Kumar Chaturvedi, Head Deptt of Educational Studies, Central University Jammu and Member NRC, NCTE, Prof. J N Balia, Registrar, Prof. M Afzal Zargar, Controller of Examination, Dr. Tanveer Ahmad Shah, Finance Officer, Dr. Mehraj ud Din Shah, Dean School of Education, Prof. Syed Zahoor Ahmad Geelani, Deans of Schools, Heads and Coordinators, of departments of CUK, University of Kashmir, Islamic University of Science and Technology, Cluster University Srinagar, IGNOU, principals and faculties from Degree Colleges of Srinagar, Budgam, Ganderbal, Bandipora, Baramulla, Kupwara, Pulwama, Anantnag, Kulgam and Shopian were also present.
Addressing the participants, Prof. Abdul Gani, on behalf of the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. A Ravinder Nath, expressed gratitude to the NCTE for selecting CU Kashmir to launch the 4-year Integrated Teacher Education Programme (ITEP) along with the prestigious institutions including IITs, NITs and RIEs, in its first phase of pilot. “The CU Kashmir will make every possible effort to make the IETP programme a success,” Prof. Gani said, and assured to extend all possible support and cooperation to the NCTE in this regard. He said the time has come to implement the NEP-2020 in letter and spirit and asked the faculty members and teachers of the educational institutions to play a proactive and pivotal role in its implementation. He said the NEP-2020 comprises five Is which focuses on the country’s ethos, culture and value system. “The five Is are Indian, International, Integrated, Inclusiveness and Impactful.” Prof. Abdul Gani added that the father of the nation Mahatma Gandhi Ji, would have been extremely happy to see the NEP-2020 as the document totally reflects and endorses the views, expressed by Gandhi Ji, vis-à-vis promotion of education among masses, particularly in the people, belonging to the lower strata of the society.
In her presentation, Mrs. Kesang Y. Sherpa, gave a detailed overview about the ITEP and said the NCTE as a regulatory body, by organising such programmes is handholding and facilitating the institutions offering the ITEP. She further said the introduction of ITEP will mark a paradigm shift in the education sector of the country and will produce the best teachers, which will help in nation building.
Addressing the gathering, Prof. H.C.S Rathore, said, the primary objective of introducing the ITEP is to catch the aspirants, intending to take up the teaching profession, at a tender age, after completing their higher secondary education. “The 4-year ITEP is going to be the mainstay of teacher education,” he said. He asked the institutions to give their feedback about the programmes so that the lacunas if any would be addressed in a time bound manner.
In his speech, Prof. J N Balia, said, the ITEP has been designed to cater to the evolving needs of the education sector and to equip aspiring teachers with a comprehensive skill set that encompasses both theoretical knowledge and practical classroom experience. The experts from NCTE also answered the queries of the participants about the curriculum framework of ITEP.
Earlier, the Dean School of Education, Prof. Syed Zahoor Ahmad Geelani, in his welcome address, said, the event is not just another academic gathering, but is a critical platform that holds the power to shape the future of education in India. He said, the NEP represents a landmark in the history of Education reform in the country as it outlines a comprehensive vision for transforming our education system into a dynamic and inclusive powerhouse that prepares students for the future challenges.
