Most applicants for NIOS training from private schools: Govt

With just under 1.7 lakh teachers applying for the course and around 1.5 lakh paying for it, West Bengal ranks fourth among states. (File Photo)

A large number of teachers from West Bengal who have applied for teacher training course with the National Institute of Open Schooling (NIOS) belong to private schools, the state government said Wednesday. The NIOS, an autonomous institution under the Ministry of Human Resource Development, had recently published that about 15 lakh untrained school teachers, nationally, have applied for its two-year diploma in elementary education (D.El.Ed.). Of this, over 12 lakh that paid for the course, over 9 lakh are from the private sector.

With just under 1.7 lakh teachers applying for the course and around 1.5 lakh paying for it, West Bengal ranks fourth among states.

Speaking to The Indian Express, West Bengal Primary Education Board chairman, Manik Bhattacharya said, “Most of the applicants from the state are from private schools. Teachers in state-run schools in West Bengal are trained through teacher training programmes. Even the state government provides training for para-teachers at free of cost.”He added that the governments had no similar scheme for private schools.

“Only three months ago, the Centre decided to provide training to private school teachers. Earlier, training was only provided to government school teachers. As there was no teachers training programme for them, private school teachers have been waiting for this opportunity.

“As soon as the Centre came up with the training programme, a large number of private teachers have sought application. The state government had no role in this,” Bhattacharya said.