Centre Launches Six-Month Bridge Course in Primary Teacher Education for In-Service Teachers
Union Minister for Education Pralhad Joshi has officially launched a specialized six-month Certificate (Bridge) Course in Primary Teacher Education (PTE) in New Delhi. The program is specifically tailored for in-service primary school educators who hold a Bachelor of Education (B.Ed.) degree, providing them with the requisite professional certification and competencies needed to teach students in foundational and primary stages from Class 1 to Class 5.
Designed under the framework formulated by the National Council for Teacher Education (NCTE), the course will be administered and delivered through the National Institute of Open Schooling (NIOS). The curriculum integrates six theoretical modules with school-based practicum, comprising a minimum of 10 days of online contact sessions and 20 days of practical classroom immersion. The initiative focuses on student-centric, inclusive, and development-appropriate pedagogy, bridging the gap between educational theory and primary classroom practices.
The launch addresses a long-standing requirement for institutionalized training for B.Ed-qualified primary teachers following shifts in national regulatory standards. By strengthening primary pedagogical competencies across government and private institutions nationwide, the Ministry aims to bolster early childhood education outcomes and enhance the quality of foundational learning across the country.
