Appendix-4

Norms and Standards for Nursery Teacher Education Programme

1.                  Preamble

This programme is meant for preparation of nursery teachers for teaching in pre school stage for children in the age group of 4-6 years followed by the first two years of the formal school i.e of children in the age group of 6-8 years.  This will enable creation of a cadre of teachers trained to teach children in nursery schools having facility for pre-school education integrated with teaching of classes 1 and 2 of the primary stage.

2.                  Duration and Intake

(a)                  The programme shall be of a duration of two academic years.

(b)                  There shall be a unit of 50 students to ensure optimum utilisation of physical and instructional infrastructure and expertise of the teaching staff.

3.                  Eligibility

(a)               Candidates with 45% marks in the Senior Secondary Examination ( Class XII or its equivalent) are eligible for admission

(b)               Admission shall be made either on the basis of marks obtained in the qualifying examination or in the entrance examination conducted by the state government as per the policy of the State Government.

(c)               There shall be reservation of seats for SC/ST/OBC/Handicapped/women etc. as per the policy of the concerned State Government.

4.                  Curriculum Transaction and Requirement of Teaching Staff

(a)               There shall be atleast 150 teaching days exclusive of period of admission, examination etc. Every student teacher shall be required to undergo internship in school experiences atleast for 30 days in nearby pre schools and lower primary schools.  To ensure optimal interaction of teacher-trainees with the kids, the programme may also be conducted by an institution having nursery school teaching.

(b)               Curricular transaction should emphasise approaches and methods, like role playing, games, quiz, material preparation, project work, bal mela etc., by which prospective teachers can be trained to create joyful environment so that children of the age group of 4-8 years may have attraction towards school education.

(c)               For a unit of 50 students, the faculty shall comprise the Principal/ Head, two full time teachers and two part time teachers.  For intake of students in excess of the prescribed unit, the number of teachers shall be increased proportionately.

(d)               For co-curricular activities like physical education, art, work experience, music etc. part time instructors may be appointed.

5.                  Qualifications of teaching staff

(a)         Principal/Head :

i)                   Academic and professional qualification will be prescribed for the post of Lecturer

ii)                 At least five years experience of teaching in nursery/primary/elementary teacher education institutions

(b)        Lecturer

Candidates should have a good academic record with the following academic qualifications :

i)                   Graduates with B.Ed. having specialisation in early childhood education/child development/elementary education.

Or

ii)                 Graduates with B.Ed. nursery or equivalent

Or

iii)               Bachelor of Elementary education (B.El. Ed.)

Or

            Bachelor Degree in Home Science or social work with specialisation in child development or pre school education.

                                                Or

iv)                Graduates with Diploma in pre school education or Diploma in elementary education (D.Ed.)

-                     Qualification of teachers of physical education, art, work experience shall be as prescribed by the concerned state government for secondary schools.

6.                  Administrative Staff

The administrative and other support staff may be provided as per the norms prescribed by the concerned state government for senior secondary schools.

7.                  Infrastructural Facilities

a)                 Adequate number of classrooms and activity room for approved intake of students, rooms for the Principal and faculty members and office for the administrative staff and a store should be available in the institution.  The size of instructional space shall not be less than 10 sq. ft. per student.

b)                 There shall be appropriate space for outdoor and indoor games. 

c)                 To provide these facilities, the Management / Institutions shall, at the time of making application, have in its possession adequate land / land and building on ownership basis free from all encumbrances.  Govt. land acquired on long-term lease as per the law of the concerned State / UT will also be considered valid for the purpose.  Pending construction of permanent building in the above land, the institution may provide these facilities in suitable temporary premises up to a maximum period of 3 years, before expiry of which the institution should shift to its permanent building.

8.                  Instructional Facilities

There should be a Learning Resource Centre housed in a bigger room and having books, magazines, journals; audio-visual aids, teaching aids, play material, computer, etc.

9.                  Terms and Conditions of service of staff

a)                 The appointments shall be made on the basis of the recommendations of the selection committee constituted as per the policy of the concerned state government.

b)                 All appointments are to be made on full-time and regular basis.

c)                 Institutions may make appointments on deputation or contract basis as an interim measure, in the absence of availability of suitable candidates.

d)                 Appointment of part-time instructors and other staff can be made as per the norms of the concerned government.

e)                 The academic and other staff of the institution (including part-time staff) shall be paid such salary as may be prescribed by the concerned government from time to time.

f)                   The management of the institution shall discharge the statutory obligations relating to pension, gratuity, provident fund, etc.

g)                 The age of superannuation of staff shall be determined by the policy of the concerned government subject to maximum age not exceeding 65 years.

10.             Management

a)                 In case of private institutions, the institution shall be run by a society/trust, which should be registered with competent authority as per the provisions of the relevant Act.

b)                 The tuition fees and other fees shall be charged at rates prescribed by the concerned state government.

c)                 In case of unaided institutions there shall be an endowment fund of Rs. 5.00 lacs to be operated jointly by the authorized representative of the management and an officer of the concerned regional committee and a reserve fund equivalent to three months’ salary of the staff.

11.             Affiliation

The examination would be conducted by the examining body designated by the State Government.