How to become a teacher in India
India has a complex education system, with various levels and types of schools. To become a teacher in India, you must meet the requirements for the level of teaching you wish to pursue. This article will outline the steps you will need to take to become a teacher in India.
Types of Teachers:
There are several different teachers in India, each teaching at a different level. The most common types of teachers are mentioned below:
Pre-primary Teacher Education: A Pre-primary Teacher is someone who teaches children aged four and under in a daycare, nursery school, or preschool. They are also known as an Early Childhood educator. In some jurisdictions, a Pre-primary Teacher may also teach Kindergarten. The duties of a Pre-primary Teacher include planning and implementing daily activities, preparing materials and lesson plans, supervising and caring for young children, and maintaining communication with parents and guardians.
Primary Education Teacher:
A Primary Teacher is someone who teaches children in grades one through six in a primary school. Primary Teachers typically teach all subjects, although, in some schools, they may specialize in teaching a particular subject, such as Language Arts or Math. The duties of a Primary Teacher include planning and implementing daily lessons, preparing materials and lesson plans, supervising and caring for students, and maintaining communication with parents and guardians.
Secondary Teacher Education: A Secondary Teacher is someone who teaches children in grades seven through twelve in a secondary school. Secondary Teachers typically specialize in teaching a particular subject, such as English, History, or Math. The duties of a Secondary Teacher include planning and implementing daily lessons, preparing materials and lesson plans, supervising and caring for students, and maintaining communication with parents and guardians.
Higher Education Teacher:
In India, Higher Education typically refers to universities and colleges offering post-secondary Education. Higher Education Teachers are typically professors who teach at the college level. The duties of a Higher Education Teacher include planning and implementing daily lessons, preparing materials and lesson plans, supervising and caring for students, and maintaining communication with parents and guardians.
Vocational Teachers/Training:
Vocational Teachers are teachers who provide vocational Education and training. Vocational Teachers typically work in Vocational Training Institutes, which offer various trades and occupations courses. The duties of a Vocational Teacher include planning and implementing daily lessons, preparing materials and lesson plans, supervising and caring for students, and maintaining communication with parents and guardians.
Educational Qualifications and Eligibility Criteria for Each category of Teachers:
Pre-primary Teacher Education: To become a Pre-primary Teacher in India, you must complete a unique education program geared toward early childhood education. In some jurisdictions, you may also need to complete a teacher education program and pass a certification exam. The minimum educational qualification for a Pre-primary Teacher is typically a 12th standard pass.
Primary Teacher Education: To become a primary teacher, one must have at least a Bachelor’s degree in Education. However, many states now require teachers to have a Master’s degree in Education. In addition to a degree, all prospective teachers must also pass a state-mandated teaching exam.
Secondary Teacher Education: To become a secondary teacher, you must have a bachelor’s degree. In addition, you will need to complete a teacher preparation program and pass a state-mandated teaching exam.
Higher Education Teacher: To become a teacher at the higher education level, specific educational qualifications are required. Except for a few institutions, most colleges and universities require their professors to have at least a master’s degree, and many prefer their academics to have a doctorate.
In addition to academic credentials, many employers also require their candidates to have experience working in the field of Education, either as a teacher or in another capacity such as an administrative role. Although the educational requirements to become a higher education teacher may seem daunting, the rewards of this career can be significant.
Those who choose to enter this field can enjoy the satisfaction of helping others learn and grow and take pride in knowing that they are playing a role in shaping the future.
Vocational Teachers/Training: Various educational qualifications are needed to become a vocational teacher or trainer. Some of these qualifications include a bachelor’s degree or higher in the field you wish to teach, a teaching license, and experience. Many vocational schools offer programs that can prepare you for a career as a vocational teacher or trainer.
Courses Available to Become a Teacher in India:
A career in teaching is one of the most honorable and noble professions. Educators have the opportunity to make a real difference in the lives of their students. In India, there are many teaching courses available to those who wish to pursue a career in teaching.
Here are the top 5 Courses:
1. Bachelor of Education (B.Ed): A Bachelor of Education (B.Ed) is a course that prepares students for a career in teaching at the elementary or secondary level. The course duration is two years, and many universities across India offer it.
2. Master of Education (M.Ed): A Master of Education (M.Ed) is a higher-level course that prepares students for a career in teaching at the elementary or secondary level. The course duration is two years, and many universities across India offer it.
3. Basic Training Certificate (BTC): The Basic Training Certificate (BTC) is a course that prepares students for a career in teaching at the elementary or secondary level. The course duration is two years, and many universities across India offer it.
4. Teacher Training Certificate (TTC): The Teacher Training Certificate (TTC) is a course that prepares students for a career in teaching at the elementary or secondary level. The course duration is two years, and many universities across India offer it.
5. Diploma in Education (D.Ed): The Diploma in Education (D.Ed) is a course that prepares students for a career in teaching at the elementary or secondary level. The course duration is two years, and many universities across India offer it.
There are also several short-term courses available for those who wish to pursue a career in teaching. These include:
1. Certificate Course in Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE): This course is offered by many institutes across India for four months.
2. Certificate Course in Elementary Teacher Education (ETE): This course is offered by many institutes across India for four months.
3. Certificate Course in English Language Teaching (ELT): This course is offered by many institutes across India and is four months long.
4. Certificate Course in Hindi Language Teaching (HLT): This course is offered by many institutes across India and is four months long.
With so many options available, there is sure to be a teaching course that is right for you!
How to choose teaching as a career?
Deciding on a career can be a daunting task, especially when there are so many options to consider. For many people, the thought of choosing a career is paralyzing. However, it doesn’t have to be this way. You can take some simple steps to make choosing a career much more accessible. One of the most important things to do when choosing a career is to consider your interests and passions. What are you interested in? What are you passionate about? These are essential questions to ask yourself when choosing a career.
If you can find a career that aligns with your interests and passions, you will be more likely to succeed and be happy in that career. Another essential thing to consider when choosing a career is your skills and abilities. What are you good at? What are you not so good at? Consider your strengths and weaknesses when choosing a career. If you can find a career that plays to your strengths and minimizes your weaknesses, you will be more likely to succeed.
Finally, it would help if you also considered your lifestyle when choosing a career. What kind of lifestyle do you want to live? Do you want to live a high-powered, high-stress lifestyle? Or do you want a career that allows you to have a good work-life balance? Teaching may be the right career for you if you want a career with an excellent work-life balance.
Steps to Become a Teacher in India?
In India, there are many different paths one can take to become a teacher. Here are some steps to becoming a teacher in India:
Step 1: The first and foremost step to becoming a teacher in India is to clear the Teacher Eligibility Test or the TET. TET is conducted by both the Central government and the State governments. To become a Primary teacher, one must score 60% or more in the TET. For becoming a Secondary teacher, the TET score is also 60%. However, a few states have done away with the TET exam.
These states are Andhra Pradesh, Arunachal Pradesh, Dadra & Nagar Haveli, Daman & Diu, Gujarat, Jammu & Kashmir, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, Sikkim, and Tripura. The TET exam is conducted in both offline and online modes. The test has two papers: Paper I is for those who wish to become Primary teachers, and Paper II is for those who wish to become Secondary teachers.
The question paper’s language is usually spoken in the state where the exam is taking place. The test consists of objective-type questions on various topics like Child Development and pedagogy, Language I, Language II, Mathematics, Environmental, etc.
Step 2: The second step to becoming a teacher in India is to qualify for the Central Eligibility Test or the CET. The National Council conducts the CET for Teacher Education or the NCTE. The CET is a computer-based test that is held twice a year. It is conducted to determine the eligibility of candidates for the post of teacher in schools from Classes I to VIII.
The CET has two papers: Paper I is for those who wish to become Primary teachers, and Paper II is for those who wish to become Secondary teachers. The CET is conducted in both offline and online modes. The test has objective-type questions on topics like Child Development and pedagogy, Language I, Language II, Mathematics, Environmental studies, etc.
Step 3: The third step to becoming a teacher in India is to appear for the School Service Commission exam. The state governments conduct the School Service Commission exam. The exam is held to fill the vacant posts of teachers in schools affiliated with the state government.
The SSC exam has two papers: Paper I is for those who wish to become Primary teachers, and Paper II is for those who wish to become Secondary teachers. The SSC exam is conducted in both offline and online modes.
Step 4: The fourth and final step to becoming a teacher in India is to appear for the Interview. The Interview is conducted by the school or the organization that has a teacher post vacancy. The Interview is the final stage of selection, and the performance in the Interview determines whether the candidate will get the job or not.
Various Examinations to become a Teacher in India:
There are many different examinations that one has to take to become a teacher in India. The most critical examinations are mentioned below:
1. TET: The Teacher Eligibility Test, or TET, is an examination that all Indian citizens who wish to become teachers must take. The TET was introduced in 2011 by the Indian government to improve the country’s teaching
standards.
The Examination is divided into the Elementary Stage TET and the Secondary Stage TET. Candidates who wish to teach at the elementary level must take the Elementary Stage TET, while those who wish to teach at the secondary level must take the Secondary Stage TET.
The TET is a multiple-choice examination that tests candidates on their knowledge of the subjects they wish to teach and their understanding of pedagogical principles. Candidates who pass the TET are awarded a certificate valid for seven years. The TET is just one of the many examinations teachers in India must take to be certified.
2. CTET: The Central Teacher Eligibility Test, or CTET, is another examination teachers in India must take to be certified. The Indian government introduced the CTET in 2011, and like the TET, it is divided into two parts: the Elementary Stage CTET and the Secondary Stage CTET. Candidates who wish to teach at the elementary level must take the Elementary Stage CTET, while those who wish to teach at the secondary level must take the Secondary Stage CTET.
The CTET is a multiple-choice examination that tests candidates on their knowledge of the subjects they wish to teach and their understanding of pedagogical principles. Candidates who pass the CTET are awarded a certificate valid for seven years. The CTET is just one of the many examinations teachers in India must take to be certified.
3. NET: The National Eligibility Test, or NET, is an examination conducted by the National Educational Testing Bureau to determine whether a candidate is eligible to become a lecturer or a professor in a government-recognized institution. Like the TET and the CTET, the NET is also a multiple-choice examination that tests candidates on their knowledge of the subject they wish to teach and their understanding of pedagogical principles.
Candidates who pass the NET are awarded a certificate valid for three years. The NET is just one of the many examinations teachers in India must take to be certified.
4. SET: The State Eligibility Test, or SET, is an examination by state governments to determine whether a candidate is eligible to become a lecturer or a professor in a state-recognized institution. The SET is a multiple-choice examination that tests candidates on their knowledge of the subject they wish to teach and their understanding of pedagogical principles.
Candidates who pass the SET are awarded a certificate valid for three years. The SET is just one of the many examinations teachers in India must take to be certified.
5. CET: The Common Eligibility Test, or CET, is an examination that the University Grants Commission conducts to determine whether a candidate is eligible to become a lecturer or a professor in a university.
The CET is a multiple-choice examination that tests candidates on their knowledge of the subject they wish to teach and their understanding of pedagogical principles. Candidates who pass the CET are awarded a certificate valid for three years. The CET is just one of the many examinations teachers in India must take to be certified.
Conclusion:
As can be seen, Indian teachers have to take several different examinations to be certified. These examinations test candidates on their knowledge of the subjects they wish to teach and their understanding of pedagogical principles. Candidates who pass these examinations are awarded a certificate valid for a certain period.