The result of an excessive theoretical training is that when they become teachers, these students know of no other teaching method themselves. They themselves use methods that kill innovation, make lessons dull and boring and evoke in children fear and hatred of learning.
Medicine and teaching are two professions where theory and practice have to go hand-in-hand, day-to-day. Teacher training programmes today are heavy in theory and provide little provision for their trainees to practice.
Can such training develop teachers who can excite and challenge children? Who teach English, History or Science, but first teach children? Who love their pupils, love teaching, know their subjects and have the requisite teaching skills?
In a regular 1 year B.Ed. programme, students teach for about 30 days in a year. At Eklavya, they spend three hours almost every day observing and teaching in a partner school for two years.
Practical training is supported by classes which include a variety of instructional methods like case studies, excursions, projects, seminars and meetings with practising education professionals. The curriculum is a modern one designed on internationally accepted lines after studying leading teacher education programmes in India and abroad.
Students are exposed to computers and the Internet from day one. Apart from this, one hour everyday is set aside for activities like Personality Development, Yoga, Art, Craft and Music/Dance.
Finally, attitudinal training
is a key component of the programme. After all, enthusiasm can move mountains,
and more can be achieved by a group of positive-minded, enthusiastic teachers
than merely capable ones.
