The Odisha higher education department has urged the National Council For Teacher Education (NCTE) to revoke withdrawal of recognition of 15 Teacher Education Institutions (TEIs) and accord approval to start B.Ed and M.Ed programmes from the current academic session.
In a letter, Chief Secretary Saswat Mishra requested NCTE chairperson to provide necessary approval to engage required number of guest faculties having essential qualification in all these TEIs till regular recruitment is made by Odisha Public Services Commission (OPSC) and start the courses from the current academic session 2021-22.
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“Considering the shortfall in faculty positions, the 15 TEIs, whose recognition has been withdrawn, may be allowed to run the normal courses with reduced intake number of students vis-a-vis the sanctioned strength of faculties,” read the letter.
It is worth mentioning that the recognition of 15 TEIs was withdrawn during the academic session 2020-21 on the ground of having less number of faculties than required.
In the meantime, all the TEIs of Odisha have been transferred to the administrative control of Higher Education Department from School and Mass Education Department. Before such transfer, on March 9, 2021, the Higher Education Department had submitted its requisition to OPSC for recruitment of 385 numbers of assistant professors for TEIs on emergency basis. Though OPSC has already taken up the recruitment process, it is getting delayed due to the pandemic.
“Odisha is the only State which has only the government TEIs to cater to the needs of trained teachers for elementary, secondary and higher secondary stages. Private TEIs are not allowed in Odisha. Due to withdrawal of recognition of these Government TEIs by the NCTE, it has become impossible to meet the demand of the State for trained teachers,” the letter further read.
(Edited by Ramakant Biswas)