Odisha govt to introduce 4-year BEd course after class 12 under NEP 2020

Bhubaneswar, March 13: The Odisha government announced on Thursday that students will soon have the opportunity to enroll in teacher education programs immediately after completing their Class 12 studies.

This initiative aligns with the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 and aims to streamline teacher training.

Higher Education Minister Suryabanshi Suraj stated that eligible students can join the BEd course through the Integrated Teacher Education Programme (ITEP). Unlike the traditional route, which requires five years—including graduation and a two-year BEd course—the ITEP will allow students to complete their teacher training within four years.

He further mentioned that eight out of the 16 government-run teacher training institutes in Odisha have signed Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) with nearby colleges to implement the program. However, its commencement depends on approval from the National Council for Teacher Education (NCTE).

The Minister highlighted that the Higher Education Department is introducing various innovative programs under NEP, and ITEP is one of them. He emphasized that this program will provide aspiring teachers an early start in their careers while improving the overall quality of education in the state.