Teachers are the backbone of any country, the pillar upon which all aspirations are converted into realities ~ APJ Abdul Kalam
Doctors cure, engineers design, and bankers manage our money; each job holds a specific position in society. The aspect of teaching, however, stands out. Teachers play an important and meaningful role in society. They are a foundational element of a healthy, forward-thinking society. Apart from parents, they are the primary source of knowledge and ethics for children, carrying the responsibility and moral duty of education.
One needs to have a charismatic personality, patience, in-depth subject matter knowledge and exceptional communication skills in order to become a teacher - be it in preschool or in college.
Read on to know how to become a teacher in India…
Types of Teachers
Based on the level that you want to teach at, you will need a different outlook and set of skills and it is best to determine that before you start on your journey to any career. Here’s taking a look at the various levels:
A preprimary teacher is the second most important person in a student's life, right after their parents. They supervise and teach students in the age group of 3 to 5. In addition to teaching the very basics of the alphabet, these are the teachers who lay the basic framework for social interaction and the personality that the child will develop at they grow up.
Teachers in primary school work with students of classes 1 to 5, ranging from 6 to 12 years. It is the responsibility of primary school teachers to nurture life skills as well as basic age-appropriate educational concepts in the children. They build lasting impressions that will stay with the child for the rest of their lives.
Graduates who work as secondary school teachers teach students from grades 6 through 10. Secondary school teachers are in charge of gaining a thorough understanding of their students' lives and helping them pursue, in addition to their studies, their hobbies and aspirations. They encourage students to identify their individual interests and talents.
Post-graduates with in-depth knowledge of a variety of specialised disciplines become senior secondary school teachers. These teachers provide in-depth explanations of the subjects being taught in school and provide basic guidance to students in choosing careers.
Teachers who work with students who have special needs—such as those who may be on the autism spectrum, or who have learning disabilities—are known as special educators. These educators are specially trained to understand the best course of action to be taken in dealing with children with special needs.
Teachers in college are usually designated as Assistant Professors, Associate Professors, or Professors or Lecturers. Teaching in college is very different from teaching in a school. The students come to college to specialise, so the instructor must have in-depth knowledge. College students are also a lot older and share a different dynamic with their teachers.
Eligibility to become a Teacher
Based on the level you want to teach, the route you take will be different. One of the most important steps to becoming a teacher in India is to obtain a recognised degree. In addition to their undergraduate and graduate degrees in their subject of choice, teachers in the country must also complete a B.Ed. Students wanting to specialise and teach at higher levels can also obtain an M.Ed.
Candidates must take different National and State Level Teaching Entrance Exams, including SET, TET, NET and others in order to be qualified to teach in a variety of schools and colleges.
Courses to become a Teacher
To become a teacher, one must have the relevant academic qualifications which help them prepare for the profession. In India, a Bachelor of Education is a minimum qualification required to be appointed as a pre-primary or primary school teacher in any Government or Private School. To move the level up to secondary and professor positions, one must complete one or more of the courses which are mentioned below:
After completing any graduate degree or 10+,2 one can enrol in this programme. A minimum of 50% in both the 10+2 and undergraduate exams from an accredited board is required for enrollment in this course. In order to enrol in the course, candidates must pass the entrance exam.
The Bachelor of Arts (BA) and Bachelor of Education (B.Ed.) degrees are combined in the BA BEd Integrated programme (B.ED) with English as the major subject. The course lasts for four years. Candidates have the option to choose the integrated course based on their preferences.
Like the B.A B.Ed, the B.Sc. B.Ed combines the Bachelor of Science (B.Sc.) and the Bachelor of Education degrees (B.ED)with Science as the major subject. This course also lasts for four years. Candidates have the option to choose the integrated course based on their preferences.
A diploma programme for elementary teachers is called the Diploma in Elementary Education (D.El.ED.). Candidates are prepared to teach in schools as primary teachers through this training programme. The course lasts for 2 years. To be eligible for this course, one must have received an overall grade of 50% in their 10+2 examination from an accredited board.
Master of Education is a two-year professional degree which is designed to train teachers by developing their professional abilities and broadening their knowledge of different teaching methods. The course not only focuses on expanding knowledge about education but also gives educators the opportunity to choose from a variety of specialised teaching topics and enhance their research skills. Candidates must receive one of the following courses in order to be admitted to the programme: BA. B.Ed, BSc. B.Ed, or D.El.B.Ed. or B.El.Ed. with a minimum of 50–60% and take the entrance exam.
MA in Education focuses on how to impart knowledge to students. This is an advanced degree and can be considered a specialisation. For this course, one must have a bachelor's degree in any discipline. For admission to MA Education, some institutions and colleges in India hold entrance exams.
Entrance Examinations to become a Teacher
The National and State Governments hold a variety of entrance exams for people interested in a career as a teacher. Some of the entrance exams that individuals must pass to become teachers are mentioned below.
A teacher is a leader, mentor, friend, parent and, above all, a role model to inspire students. Nobody can determine where a good teacher's influence ends since the impression they leave last a lifetime. If you are someone who loves to teach and impart knowledge then you should definitely pursue a career in teaching. Now that you know how to become a teacher, why not go for it?
