Kadiyam favours periodical tests for in-service teachers

Deputy Chief Minister Kadiyam Srihari is in favour of periodical tests for in-service teachers to test their upgradation of knowledge, and those clearing these exams having weightage in promotions.

Mr. Srihari, who is appointed as the Chairman of the National Committee on Teacher Training by the Human Resource Development (HRD) Ministry to study teacher training programmes and recommend measures to improve teaching skills, feels that in-service teachers must upgrade their skills regularly and they should undergo periodic tests so that new teaching methodologies are inducted in classroom teaching.

The Minister said he would certainly place his ideas in the Committee meeting to be held this month. “We will take ideas from various stakeholders and also explore whether online training could be provided to the teachers,” he told The Hindu. Since digitisation of education is being taken seriously across the country the teaching methodologies also need to change accordingly. “We will emphasise on using online resources and the need to equip teachers with those skills as well.” The Committee that will also have a senior academic and an official has to submit the report within three months.

Mr. Srihari said he would place some of his own experiences as teacher before the committee, particularly with regard to taking teaching practicals seriously in the B.Ed course. Though it was mandatory for students to take classes during the course, most of them give a miss and don’t take it seriously. He was also of the view that B.Ed candidates should be eligible for the Secondary Grade Teachers (SGT), who teach in the primary schools. Though it was the regular practice earlier, the Diploma in Education (D.Ed) candidates moved the court and got an order in their favour for the SGT posts.

The B.Ed candidates can be made eligible if the existing teacher recruitment policy is reviewed and a new exhaustive law is adopted. Recently, Andhra Pradesh Government allowed B.Ed candidates to appear for SGT posts, he said.

Mr. Srihari, who is upbeat over the government colleges’ improved performance in Intermediate exams results, said Government institutions can be strengthened as has been proven in Telangana and teachers need to play a big role to see positive outcomes in schools. “For this, constant training is must.”