The Supreme Court has upheld a ruling by the Rajasthan High Court, stipulating that a primary education diploma is mandatory for individuals seeking primary teaching positions, with the aim of upholding educational quality.

The Central government has introduced the Integrated Teacher Education Programme (ITEP), created by the National Council for Teacher Education (NCTE). ITEP will be integrated into the four-year BEd course and span its duration. Post-2030, ITEP will be obligatory for those aspiring to become secondary or higher secondary teachers.

The Supreme Court's decision is based on the understanding that Article 21A and the Right To Education Act of 2009 encompass not only 'free' and 'compulsory' education for children under 14 but also 'quality' education.

This development takes on significance in light of the Maharashtra government's plan to recruit 30,000 primary, secondary, and higher secondary teachers. There are questions regarding whether these newly recruited teachers will be required to complete ITEP and how the state government will implement it.

While the traditional four-year BEd program will continue, those aiming to become teachers must successfully complete ITEP. In the coming years, ITEP is expected to be incorporated into the curriculum of all BEd colleges. The National Education Policy (NEP) will bring about comprehensive reforms from primary to higher education, including the inclusion of ITEP in the four-year integrated BEd degree.

Some, such as Sangita Thosar, a BEd degree-holder, express concerns about the treatment of teachers by the central and state governments. There is a prevailing practice of employing teachers on low wages for three years, referred to as 'teacher sevak,' which she sees as exploitative.

On the other hand, Santosh Magar, the founder and coordinator of the DEd, BEd Teachers Association, views ITEP positively. He notes the recent declaration by the state education minister about the recruitment of 30,000 teachers but highlights uncertainty surrounding whether DEd and BEd degree-holders will be required to complete ITEP.

Dr. Sachin Patil, an educationist and owner of a DEd, BEd college, welcomes the decision, particularly in light of the National Education Policy (NEP), which mandates ITEP for teachers from kindergarten to Class XII. He points out the initiation of a four-year integrated BEd program without ITEP in 41 universities in the 2023-24 academic session.

Dr. Nagnath Lokhande, an associate professor at a distinguished teacher training college, informs about the initiation of the National Common Entrance Test by the National Testing Agency (NTA). The new four-year BEd program, in line with the NCTE and NEP 2020 recommendations, will admit candidates based on merit in the entrance test. Additionally, universities are invited to participate in a pilot project for ITEP, a four-year integrated education program beginning in the 2024-25 academic session.

Dr. Lokhande also notes a significant development by the University Grants Commission (UGC), the launch of the Central University Faculty Recruitment Portal CU-Elect, designed to streamline faculty recruitment processes in universities. This portal will simplify the application process for positions ranging from professors to assistant professors in academic institutions.