Mandatory six-month course for primary school teachers

KOLKATA: School Education department has issued an order asking the primary teachers with B.Ed degree to enroll themselves for a six-month bridge course by November 30.

The department has already directed the order to the district level inspectors of various schools. However, many primary school teachers with B.Ed degrees were reluctant for this bridge course. District inspectors have been instructed to be alert to ensure that all primary teachers with B.Ed degrees get enrolled and complete this course."

It has been learnt from various sources of the department that as many as 3,505 primary teachers have got themselves enrolled for the course, which is a major cause of concern for the department. The headmasters of the schools are to grant permissions to the primary teachers to undertake the course. An official of the department said: "Teachers with B.Ed degree will be barred from teaching if they do not complete the bridge course. The district officials have already been asked to ensure that all teachers with B.Ed get enrolled for the bridge course."

The Union Human Resource Development ministry had written to the state making the course mandatory for those teaching from Class I to Class V in both government and non-government schools. This new rule is being implemented not just in Bengal but across India.