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NTRCA should look for quality teachers

Published : Friday, 10 May, 2019 at 12:00 AM  Count : 677

Md Mizanur Rahaman Mizan

Md Mizanur Rahaman Mizan

Most of the job seekers of Bangladesh do not want to join teaching profession; maybe the reason is dissatisfactory salary, especially at primary and secondary level. But a large numbers of unemployed people want to join this teaching while it is not their passion. Joining to this respected profession is very easy in Bangladesh. When job aspirants are neglected in other sectors or they cannot prove themselves for where they want to go; they want to be the teacher at last; it is the harsh reality.

Anyone having graduation could be appointed as teacher in non-government educational institutions at secondary and higher secondary level. Some institutes always tried to appoint right persons, though many candidates were appointed through unfair means in different institutions as well; this was really a bad experience for Bangladesh, and the nation waited when this sector will be corruption free.

In March, 2005, a statutory body under Ministry of Education (MoE) with the title "Non-Government Teachers Registration and Certification Authority" (NTRCA) was formed with the mandate of registering and certifying quality and competent candidates who can be appointed as teachers in non-government educational institutions and to impart teaching skills and training to them in order to improve the quality of education. NTRCA started its focused job with taking teachers registration examination. I believe who are reading this article knows how NTRCA takes test and certifies, I do not feel to explain about it.

Teachers' Registration Examination is taken in three parts currently; first part is called 'Preliminary Test' is made with 100 MCQs on basic Bangla, English, Mathematics and General Knowledge. If candidates achieve minimum 40 per cent marks then they will be qualified for the next step. The second is a written test where candidates have to seat for 100 marks on subjective area. After passing this test they have to face a viva board against 20 marks. And when all three levels have been crossed, candidates are eligible for certificate. Do you think this three-level-examination has the ability to find out someone to certify for the teaching profession?

However, NTRCA certificate holder could be appointed in any educational institution by doing some formalities if institute has vacant position of a teacher. Though the NTRCA certified candidates to appoint, but the main job had to be done by institute authority. So there were chances to teachers by doing under-table-activity. This may not a good side for any country as this has the power to destroy.

Now, besides giving certificates NTRCA takes decision to where an aspirant should be appointed through merit list, also aspirants have the chance to choice possible institutes to join. This is good step by the NTRCA and MoE as the bribery gets stopped in appointing teachers but today this is not my point to say exactly.

NTRCA and MoE has stopped bribery only, they cannot say they are registering quality teachers. Someone with good subjective and general knowledge has ability to pass the existing teachers registration examination. Having good subjective knowledge does not mean someone has the ability or pure mentality to teach students as a professional.

If someone wants to be a teacher, must have knowledge about subject matters, pedagogy, teaching methods and strategies, resources, educational psychology, strong communication skill, education policy and curriculum, sex and gender, evaluation, etc. Yes, I admit, without certificate of 'Bachelor of Education' (B.Ed) none can be teacher in non-government sector; and skills and knowledge I have said here are definitely taught under B.Ed, but how much a candidate has learned shouldn't it be checked as there are many who have the B.Ed only for a show off.

Some of my relatives and neighbours work at different institutes, I know their academic history as well. They have B.Ed and NTRCA issued certificates which helped them to enter teaching profession, and they are listed to the monthly payment order. But they do not know to conduct classes by following modern strategies, isn't a shameful?

You, who are going through this article, know that there is huge controversy about the system of creative questions. So many people say that the creative questions system keeps pupils under extra pressure, and it has no value too; but other people admit that this is a good initiative though we have few skilled teachers to teach in creative way. Why is the country unable to provide quality teachers?

I always try to connect with the students at different schools and talk to them on several topics are related to education; mostly about textbooks, teachers and teaching, examination, views, and so on. Recently I talk to students at a secondary school, it is not so far from Dhaka city. While I was talking to them, I asked, "How do your teachers taught creative questions?" They told me that their teachers ask them to read passages/poems/topics at home and mark some questions from selected commercial guide book to memorize. Teachers also copy questions from the selected guide books for internal tests. I get that their teachers had made them understand that main books by National Curriculum and Textbook Board have no value.

Teachers, having memorized basic formulas of English grammar, mathematics and subjects related to science, are considered as good and quality teachers to our societies; but this is not a sign for a quality teacher. Most of our secondary level teachers cannot imagine that there are more to be taught out of formulas too. They encourage and pressurize students to memorize paragraphs, compositions, applications, etc.; but they do not know that this is a matter of plagiarism. A teacher can teach these by following or using some methods and techniques like mind mapping, brainstorming, realia, etc.; do they follow these in classroom teaching at all?

For years, the NTRCA has been going through different types of controversies for their activities. But they are on their own way. They maybe do not care the ongoing controversies over the country about them. NTRCA arranges examination to register teachers, though the system of examination to find teachers to certify is not totally correct. They can use some classroom related activities besides as usual tests like MCQs, written and viva.

Four-year-graduation in Education was opened at Government Teachers' Training Colleges (TTC) in Bangladesh to produce quality teachers for the secondary level, and many students get successfully passed with outstanding marks every year. Teachers and trainers at TTC always work hard to convert students to quality teachers. And maybe you know that students at TTCs have to join different schools as intern teachers as part time teacher. But now the students of TTCs are neglected. NTRCA should give priority to appoint candidates who are from TTCs. We need quality teachers for our educational institutions, and I believe NTRCA will be able to ensure it someday.

The writer is a student at Govt Teachers' Training College, Dhaka










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