AICTE Plans to Implement ITEP Programs in Technical Institutes Across India

All technical institutes in India will be introducing Integrated Teacher Education Programmes (ITEP), according to an announcement by the All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE). ITEP, which requires a student to simultaneously complete a Bachelor’s Degree in any discipline and study for a Bachelor’s of Education (BEd) degree, is intended to produce more knowledgeable and effective teachers. The four-year program is set to be introduced in the 2023-24 academic year, and will be divided into two parts. Students wishing to enroll must pass an entrance examination administered by the AICTE, and the program will ultimately be accredited by the National Assessment and Accreditation Council (NAAC). This move is aimed to enhance the quality of teaching in Indian technical institutes and to produce highly-skilled teachers, who are not only pedagogically trained but are also subject matter experts. The ITEP program has already garnered positive feedback from experts who highlight that it reduces the time required to complete one’s degree, from five years to just four. Nonetheless, there is speculation that the rigor of ITEP programs may not be as high as traditional BEd programs, but the AICTE will take steps to ensure the program proves effective.