NIOS launches six-month bridge course in PTE for in-service BEd teachers

Union Minister of Education Pralhad Joshi has launched a six-month certificate bridge course in Primary Teacher Education (PTE) offered by the National Institute of Open Schooling (NIOS) for in-service primary teachers appointed with a BEd qualification.

The course is aimed at the professional development of working primary teachers who hold a BEd degree and need to become eligible to teach at the primary level, according to official information.

The official document said the program has been designed to strengthen teachers' pedagogical competencies and classroom effectiveness. It will also help them address the diverse learning needs of young children.

In a social media post on X, Joshi stated, "the course will strengthen teachers' primary-stage pedagogical competencies through academic learning, online contact classes and 20 days of school-based experience."

"The programme will equip teachers with child-centred, inclusive and developmentally appropriate teaching practices, strengthening the quality of education at the foundational and primary stages," he added.

According to the official notification, the course will expose teachers to learners from diverse socio-cultural backgrounds and prepare them to create inclusive, equitable and holistic learning environments.

Through the bridge program, teachers will examine how children learn, understand the epistemological foundations of subject knowledge and use responsive instructional strategies to support the development of every child, the official document stated.

NIOS PTE bridge course delivery

The six-month bridge course in Primary Teacher Education will be offered through the Open and Distance Learning (ODL) mode of instruction. The program will use contact programs and school-based practicum as part of its teaching and learning approach.

The school-based practicum will include practice teaching, reflective journals and portfolios, allowing in-service teachers to apply their learning in school settings.

Video tutorials, e-learning materials and digital platforms will also be used to facilitate flexible and effective learning.

"This approach ensures that in-service teachers can actively engage with the course content while balancing their professional responsibilities," the official document stated.