The Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU), Bhubaneswar Regional Centre has announced a six-month programme for primary school teachers in order to help them guide children between the age group of 6-14 for their better learning and holistic development.
The Certificate in Guidance (CIG) programme of the IGNOU, which is already effective in neighbouring Chhattisgarh, has been developed in collaboration with the National Council for Educational Research and Training (NCERT).
IGNOU Bhubaneswar Regional Director Dr Abhilash Nayak told reporters here on Saturday that they have already approached the State Government and are waiting for the latter’s confirmation.
“Untrained primary school teachers who are normally dealing with the children up to the 14 years can benefit by joining the Certificate in Guidance programme. The course fee for the six-month long course stands at `1,100 only,” said Nayak.
“Recently, we approached School and Mass Education Secretary Ranjana Chopra with our plan. We urged her to ensure that Government sponsors the untrained primary school teachers to join the course,” informed Nayak.
The programme is aimed at developing an appreciation of the role of the teachers in the prevailing socio-cultural and political context in general, and the educational system in particular.
Dr Nayak also informed that IGNOU centres would be opened across the State at a gap of 50 km.