Lok Sabha passes National Council for Teacher Education (Amendment) Bill, 2017

The Lok Sabha on July 23, 2018 passed the National Council for Teacher Education (Amendment) Bill, 2017 that seeks to amend the National Council for Teacher Education (NCTE) Act, 1993.

The Bill was introduced by the Minister of Human Resource Development, Prakash Javadekar in Lok Sabha on December 18, 2017.

Retrospective recognition of certain teacher education institutions

The Bill seeks to grant retrospective recognition to these institutions:

• Institutions notified by the central government

• Institutions funded by the central government or state/union territory government

• Institutions which do not have recognition under the Act

• Institutions which must have offered teacher education courses on or after the establishment of the NCTE until the academic year 2017-2018

Retrospective permission to start new courses

The Bill also seeks to grant retrospective permission to start a new course or training in teacher education to these institutions:

• Institutions notified by the central government

• Institutions funded by the central government or state/union territory government

• Institutions which have satisfied certain conditions required for the conduct of a new course or training in teacher education

• Institutions which must have offered teacher education courses on or after the establishment of the NCTE until the academic year 2017-2018.

National Council for Teacher Education (NCTE) Act, 1993

• The NCTE Act, 1993 came into force on 1 July 1995 and is applicable throughout the country, except the State of Jammu and Kashmir.

• The Act establishes the National Council for Teacher Education (NCTE).  

• The NCTE plans and co-ordinates the development of the teacher education system throughout the country.  

• It also ensures the maintenance of norms and standards in the teacher education system.  

• In order to achieve the objectives of the Act, separate provisions have been made in the Act for recognising teacher education courses and to lay down guidelines for compliance by recognised Institutions/Universities.