The Right of Children to Free and Compulsory Education (RTE) Act, 2009 stipulates that all children in the 6-14 years age group be in school. So far 2.77 lakh schools have been constructed under the Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan (SSA) programme, of which majority are in rural areas. SSA has supported States with funding for 15.06 lakh additional teachers, which has helped bring the Pupil Teacher Ratio (PTR) to 1:26 in 2013-14.

SSA also provides for in-service teacher training for a period up to 20 days, of which 10 days may be at Block level and 10 days at Cluster level in the form of monthly meeting. In addition, induction training is provided to newly appointed teachers for a period of 30 days. An expenditure of Rs. 6000/- per annum per teacher is being incurred in respect of untrained teachers through Open Distance Learning (ODL).

The Centrally Sponsored Scheme for Teacher Education has been revised for the XII Plan with an approved outlay of Rs. 6308.45 crore to strengthen SCERTs, establish DIETs in all districts created upto 31-03-2011, thereby increasing their numbers from existing 571 to 626; strengthen 104 Colleges of Teacher Education (CTEs) and up-grade existing Government secondary teacher education institutions into CTEs; strengthen existing 32 Institutes of Advanced Studies in Education (IASEs); up-grade Department of Education in Universities as IASEs; and establish Block Institutes of Teacher Education (BITE) in identified 196 SC/ST/Minority Concentration Districts.

UGC has established an Inter-University Centre on Teacher Education for institutionalising teacher education programme in the university system. Further, 66 Academic Staff Colleges (ASCs) are also functioning throughout the country for conducting specially designed Orientation programme of four weeks duration for newly appointed lecturers and Refresher Course of three week duration for in service teachers.

In order to improve the teaching learning process AICTE through its summer winter school conducts content updating programme to its teachers. This programme is intended to provide opportunities through AICTE approved Colleges/Institutions for Subject training that enhances teaching skills of teachers employed in AICTE approved Technical Institutions to facilitate up gradation of knowledge and skill.

This was stated by the Union HRD Minister, Smt. Smriti Irani in a written reply to the Lok Sabha question today.

Source: PIB