Pralhad Joshi launches six-month NIOS bridge course for B.Ed-qualified primary teachers

Union Education Minister Pralhad Joshi on September 16 launched a six-month Certificate (Bridge) Course in Primary Teacher Education for eligible in-service primary teachers who were appointed with B.Ed. qualifications. The course has been designed in accordance with the framework of the National Council for Teacher Education (NCTE) and will be implemented through the National Institute of Open Schooling (NIOS).

The programme is aimed at strengthening the pedagogical competencies of teachers at the primary stage. It will include academic learning, online contact classes and 20 days of school-based experience. The minister said the course will equip teachers with child-centred, inclusive and developmentally appropriate teaching practices. The stated focus is on strengthening the quality of education at the foundational and primary stages.

The NIOS programme is specifically intended for in-service primary teachers holding B.Ed. qualifications. The six-month programme focuses on professional development of eligible teachers working at the primary level.

Highest number of applications from UP

According to the NIOS press release, a total of 67,529 teachers from across the country have applied for the specialised bridge course. The highest number of applications were received from Uttar Pradesh, followed by Madhya Pradesh. The number of applications received from across the state is shown in the table below.

Additionally, several BEd-qualified in-service teachers from other states have also applied for the new programme.

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School experience, online classes

The NIOS framework specifies that the programme includes at least 20 days of school experience and at least 10 days of online contact classes. The course objectives include developing teachers' understanding of primary-school children, planning age-appropriate pedagogy, addressing classroom diversity and using age-appropriate assessment practices.

The programme is linked to directions issued by the Supreme Court in April 2024 in the matter concerning B.Ed.-qualified teachers appointed at the primary level. NIOS states that NCTE is to design the course under the overall supervision of the Ministry of Education.

NIOS also states that failure to complete the bridge course within the timeframe prescribed by the concerned educational authorities will invalidate the appointment of eligible candidates. The bridge course is not valid for teachers seeking subsequent employment as primary teachers.

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The standard eligibility window specified by NIOS covers in-service teachers appointed between June 28, 2018 and August 11, 2023 to teach at the primary level and holding a B.Ed. degree. Teachers appointed outside this period can register under the court-order category if they have obtained the required judicial relaxation.

Joshi said the initiative would strengthen teachers' capabilities at the foundational and primary stages by providing them with academic inputs, online learning and school-based experience.