Department of Education

The Department has an eventful history in dissemination of knowledge since its inception about forty five years back. The Department was established as a Govt. sponsored Teachers' Training College in 1958. The Department expanded its programme of studies and research in 1970-71 and introduced two-year MA/M.Sc course in Education. Thereupon, during the 5th. Plan UGC became satisfied to sanction more teaching posts which stood as: Professor-one, Reader-four, and Lecturer –sixteen including one Co-ordinator for its Extension wing (NCERT). Since then research programme sprung up vigorously. It got further stimulation in the hefty days of re-organization of the national educational scenario with the NEP, 1986 and initiated M.Phil in Education, eventually the first in the Eastern part of the country. In maintaining continuous growth spurt, the B.Ed. Course got permanent recognition of NCTE in 1999. The strength and potential of Department was duly assessed by the MHRD, and the Higher Education Department, Government of West Bengal and upgraded it as Institute of Advanced Studies in Education (IASE) in 2000. Subsequently, it received central Capital Grants of Rs.115 lakh for expansion of infrastructure in specified dimensions. With this funds the Department has been more enriched in –teaching –learning supports facilities of all kinds including departmental library and laboratories besides extension & building of physical infrastructure. New ICT Lab has also been built . Thereby old existing curricula have been modified and / or updated for preparing qualified man-power to fit themselves in contemporary world of education. Sequel to these , as an integral part of the IASE scheme the Department has already introduced NCTE recognized one –year M.Ed. course with effect from 2002-03 academic session and its is expecting to start various in-service teacher education programme very soon. A bunch of curricula for continuous in-service education & re-education for teacher, teacher-educators, and middle-level education mangers of divergent roles has also been developed very meticulously. Proposal for recurrent financial assistance from MHRD is now in active consideration of the governments. The Department in spite of several odds and hurdles continuously advances to attain its Vision : “ A community of quality educators rooted in Indian tradition ”, Mission : ‘to promote academic excellence and to provide quality education for preparation of teachers, educational managers and researchers’ monitors stakeholders’ satisfaction and changes accordingly. During the last five years the Department has successfully organized two national seminars four UGC Refresher Course in Education and one university level Workshop on B.Ed. Curriculum Renovation .Within the span of the last five years about 15 students have qualified either SLET/SET or NET and about 20 students have been placed as lecturers in colleges through W.B. College Services Commission and six students have joined as lecturers different PG Departments of University. Additionally, nearly 25 students have been awarded with Ph.D. in Education and about 300 students have been recruited as assistance teachers through W.B.School Services Commission.