Approval for Introduction of NCTE Act’s Amendment Bill

Approval of Amendment in the NCTE Act

Question: The Union Cabinet chaired by the Prime Minister has given its approval to amendment in National Council for Teacher Education Act, 1993. Till which year the amendment seeks to grant retrospective recognition to the Central/State/Union Territory funded Institutions/Universities conducting Teacher Education Courses without NCTE recognition?
(a) 2017-2018
(b) 2017-2019
(c) 2018-2021
(d) 2017-2021
Answer: (a)
Related Facts:

  • On November 1st, 2017, the Union Cabinet chaired by the Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi has given its approval for introduction of a Bill in Parliament to amend the National Council for Teacher Education Act, 1993.
  • The amendment seeks to grant retrospective recognition to the Central/State/Universities who are found to be conducting teacher education courses without NCTE permission.
  • The amendment allows retrospective recognition till the academic year 2017-2018.
  • It is noteworthy that earlier, NCTE wrote to all Central Universities and /State Obvernrnents / State Universities / District Institutes of Education and Training (DIETs) informing them about the legal provisions making it mandatory to seek prior permission for starting Teacher Education Courses.
  • NCTE had given time till 31-03-2017 to aforesaid institutes to inform NCTE if any such Institution/University is running a course without permission of NCTE, for a one-time resolution of past issues.
  • Department of School Education & Literacy, Ministry of Human Resource Development has brought about this amendment.
  • The retrospective recognition is being given as a onetime measure so as to ensure that the future of the students passed out/enrolled in these institutions is not jeopardized.
  • The amendment will make students studying in these Institutions/Universities, or already passed out from here, eligible for employment as a teacher.
  • It is notable that The NCTE Act, 1993 came into force on 1st July, 1995 and is applicable throughout the country, except the State of Jammu and Kashmir.
  • The main objective of the Act Is to provide for the establishment of a NCTE to achieve planned and coordinated development of the teacher education system, regulation and ensure proper maintenance of norms and standards in the system.

Reference:
http://pib.nic.in/newsite/PrintRelease.aspx?relid=173128