INTRODUCTION

Bachelor of Education (B. Ed.) programme is a professional programme meant for preparing teachers for upper primary or middle level (classes VI- VIII), secondary level (classes IX-X) and senior secondary level (classes XI-XII).

It is well known that the quality of school education is determined primarily by teacher competence, sensitivity and teacher motivation. It is common knowledge too that the academic and professional standards of teachers are achieved only by a systematically conceived teacher education programme. The Teacher Education mission is to empower candidates to become ethical, knowledgeable, prepared individuals who can assume the role of teacher in elementary and secondary schools as well as prepare them for further career choices and advancement.

As envisioned by NCTE Regulation2014 the University of Calicut revises its teacher education programme for preparing professionally empowered teachers. The Board of Studies hopes that this revised Teacher Education Curriculum has tremendous potential to imbue the prospective teachers with the aspirations, knowledge base, repertoire of pedagogic capacities and human attitudes. The Two year B.Ed. programme shall be introduced with effect from academic year 2015-16. The modified curriculum of the two year programme shall be implemented from the academic year 2017-18.

The course structure offers a comprehensive coverage of themes and rigorous field engagement with the child, school and community. The programme is comprised of three broad inter-related curricular areas – I) Perspectives in Education, II) Curriculum and Pedagogic Studies, and III) Engagement with the Field. All the courses include in-built field-based units of study and projects along with theoretical inputs from an interdisciplinary perspective. Engagement with the Field is the curricular component that is meant to holistically link all the courses across the programme, while it also includes special courses for Enhancing Professional Capacities (EPC) of the student teachers. Transaction of the courses is to be done using a variety of approaches, such as, case studies, group presentations, projects, discussions on reflective journals, observations of children, and interactions with the community in multiple socio cultural environments.

SCHEME OF EXAMINATION & INTERNAL ASSESSMENT.

Assessment of Students Assessment of students for each subject will be done by internal continuous assessment and end semester examinations. Internal assessment shall be conducted throughout the semester. It shall be based on internal examinations, assignments (such as Tasks and assignments that run through all courses.) as specified in the syllabus. End-semester examinations of theory subjects will be conducted by the University and those of all practical subjects will be conducted at institutional level.

Practical Examination and Viva Voce

Practical examination will be conducted in the 4th semester by an External Examination Board constituted by the university. The present practice of zonal boards is to be continued. The Zonal Board will consist of a Chairman, Subject expert for each Optional Paper. The subject Page 20 of 200 20 expert for the Optional Paper will conduct Practical Examination for the concerned Optional. The board shall observe and assess the teaching competency of all candidates for a maximum of 75 marks and conduct a Viva-Voce on the subject. Each student should attend the viva‐voce on pedagogy of their subject (for 25 marks). There shall be no minimum for a pass in viva‐ voce. If the number of candidates in an Optional subject is more than 20, an additional examiner can be appointed. The University will constitute the required number of Zonal Boards to complete the Practical Examination in all centers in a duration of 8-10 days. Practical examination will be scheduled and carried out simultaneously in all the colleges and completed at least two months before the end of Semester IV to facilitate a smooth completion of academic programmes in the Colleges. The duration of the Practical Examination in an institution will be two days for an intake of 100 students. Additional days will be provided depending on the intake of the institution. A Co-coordinating Chairman will be appointed by the University who will co-ordinate the work of zonal boards. The Coordinating chairman has to randomly check the assessment of Zonal Boards and make corrections, if necessary. The final Mark List of Practical Examination has to be forwarded to the Controller of Examination.