What was available in only a few universities, could soon be introduced in your college too. If all goes as planned, select universities will soon offer a B.Ed course along with graduation in science or arts under the 3+1 pattern. Which means that just like B.El.Ed in Delhi University, there would be a three-year graduation course where students can choose to study for another academic year to get a Bachelor’s degree in Education. With the lucrative opportunity already available in a few other universities, the move is sure to benefit, both, aspiring teachers and educational institutions in many ways.
Says CBSE counsellor Geetika Anand, “This opportunity is already available in Delhi University, but it’ll definitely benefit those who want to take up teaching as a profession. If other universities offer the course, there will be more prospects for admissions in this one. But at the same time, I wonder if many jobs are available in this field.”
According to reports, the Vice Chancellors of numerous universities have given their approval to a proposal of selecting universities to offer Bachelor of Education (B.Ed) course along with graduation. “If the proposal is accepted, we will actually have to spend only a total of four years to graduate in the subject that we want and complete B.Ed too. So even if you don’t want to pursue teaching as a career option, you can always do masters in your graduation subject,” says Shikha Panjla, an engineering student.
Dr Geetanjali Kumar, in-house counsellor for Hansraj Model School, feels that B.Ed should be specialised and two years of training after three years of graduation is a must. She opines, “Graduation with B.Ed is a must as teachers should first study the subjects which they plan to teach thoroughly. Also, there should be a stringent entrance test before they are enrolled for this course. People in India take up teaching as the last resort, which is not right. It’s time we take the profession seriously and value it.”
Richa, an engineering student complains that her cousin wanted to pursue B.El.Ed from DU but could not get through. so, she was forced to opt for another course. “She wants to be a teacher, but not many universities in Delhi offer B.El.Ed. So if we have more options, we wouldn’t be dependent only on a handful,” she adds.