Introduction
You might be interested in pursuing a career as a school teacher if you want to work with young minds and shape their future, but how do you go about it? There are a number of factors to consider, including the job description and whether or not your qualifications meet the requirements.
Here’s everything you need to know about the eligibility criteria for becoming a school teacher in India.
Eligibility Criteria for Becoming a School Teacher
To become a school teacher in India, you must have an undergraduate degree. While some schools may not want a teaching qualification, most schools do. So, it is best that you go for a teaching certification so that you are eligible to apply for every school teacher job vacancy that you come across.
Once you have completed your bachelor’s degree in either arts, science or commerce, you can opt for courses like B.Ed., Diploma in elementary education, B.El.Ed., or internationally accredited teaching certification like PgCTL.
Minimum Educational Qualifications
There are different qualifications for becoming a school teacher, depending on whether you want to work in government or private schools.
In order to teach in schools, you will need to have at least a bachelor’s degree in any field of study. A master’s degree is also accepted if it is related to education. If you have a bachelor’s degree in education, this may be sufficient for entry-level positions. Most states require that candidates possess at least some graduate-level coursework that focuses on the teaching methodologies used by particular grade levels and subjects.
Central Teacher Eligibility Test
Central Teacher Eligibility Test (CTET) is a national level examination conducted by the CBSE. It is the first step towards becoming a teacher in India. The CTET is a computer-based test that assesses the candidate’s ability to teach students in grades 1 to 8. It also tests their knowledge of child psychology, pedagogy and methodology of teaching at each grade level. The CTET is held twice a year, and the results are valid for five years. The examination includes two papers: Paper 1 – Language Comprehension and Paper 2 – Mathematics.
Specialised Courses for Teachers
The competition in the job market is extremely high for teachers. To stand out from the crowd and secure a job, it is important that you have a specialised degree. There are many specialised courses to become a teacher available in India which will help you gain the skills needed to teach in a specific subject area. Some of them include PgCTL, courses on the latest evaluation and assessment methods, or questioning skills, and so on. Such courses add a lot of value to your candidature and add to the chances of nailing interviews in the first attempt.
The PgCTL course, for example, trains you about the latest pedagogical trends according to international standards. It is a UK Level 6 Teaching Qualification (Diploma) that is specially made to empower teachers with 21st century skills. It has been awarded by The Knowledge and Human Development Authority (KHDA), Dubai, UAE and also approved by the Office of Qualifications and Examinations Regulation (UK Ofqual).
Which is The Right One for You?
Being a school teacher is not an easy job, but it’s a very rewarding one. A school teacher is responsible for the education of children and teenagers. They have to teach them all kinds of things, from mathematics to art, from history to music. So if you become a professional teacher in any school or institution in India, you should take your time to analyse the options available according to your aspirations with the profession.
There are several choices available so it is normal to feel intimidated. In case, you feel that way, reach out to teachers in your community and get their guidance. You can also get in touch with a teacher training counsellor to seek personalised assistance in creating a teaching profession of your dreams.
Conclusion
Becoming a school teacher requires a specific set of qualifications and the passing of an entrance exam in India. There are various courses available for training and preparation of teachers. These include specialised courses for different subjects taught in schools as well as PG diploma degrees for those who want to teach at higher levels like colleges etc.
