Good elementary teachers are much in demand since the formative years of a child’s education require compassionate and professionally trained teachers who understand the methodology to teach the young minds as well as have insight into the learning patterns of the tiny tots. The role of teachers in moulding the students’ personality and giving them good study habits cannot be underestimated. Globally, the profession of an elementary teacher is respected and valued.
The four-year Bachelor of Elementary Education programme offered by the Department of Education is meant to provide transferable skills to students and aid them in becoming competent teachers. The professionally oriented course has an eclectic mix of subjects like Cognition, Learning and Teaching, Reading and Reflection on Text, School Planning and Management, Human Values and Ethics, Language across the Curriculum, Pedagogy of Subjects, Inclusive and Special Education, Education Management, and Life Skill Education. Skill enhancement courses like yoga and meditation, arts and crafts, micro and simulation teaching are also included in the four-year programme along with electives that the student chooses based on which subject’s teacher they aim to become.
The internships or multiple teaching practice schedules with schools form a rigorous and important part of this programme, in which the first three years are a combination of theory and practical courses, while the fourth year has a heavy practical component. Project work, file compilation and dissertation also form crucial elements for this professional degree programme.