In a significant boost for teacher education in Odisha, the National Council for Teacher Education (NCTE) has granted approval to Fakir Mohan University in Balasore to launch two new Integrated Teacher Education Programmes (ITEP). This move aligns with the national push to enhance the quality of teacher training.
Details of the Approved Programmes
The university will introduce two four-year integrated courses: a BA BEd and a BSc BEd. Each programme will have an intake capacity of 50 seats. These courses will be offered through the university's School of Education at its Old Campus. Fakir Mohan University now joins institutions like IIT Bhubaneswar in offering these NEP-aligned ITEP courses within the state.
A Step Towards National Education Policy Goals
The ITEP is specifically designed for students who aim to build a professional career in teaching. The four-year integrated structure is a key component of the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, envisioned as a transformative step to strengthen teacher education and meet the future educational needs of India. Before granting the final approval, an expert team from the NCTE conducted a thorough ground inspection at the university to assess its infrastructure, academic preparedness, and overall institutional readiness for the new programmes.
Admissions and Implementation Timeline
The courses are scheduled to commence from the academic session 2026-27. The admission process for these ITEP programmes will be conducted centrally through the National Testing Agency (NTA) via online mode. The university's Vice-Chancellor, Santosh Kumar Tripathy, confirmed that the required teaching and non-teaching staff have already been appointed to ensure the smooth academic and administrative functioning of the new courses.
An official statement issued by the university on Friday stated that detailed information regarding eligibility criteria, admission procedures, and other relevant guidelines will be published shortly on the university's official website and also advertised in leading newspapers.
