Full Breakdown
Six-Month Bridge Course Launched for B.Ed Primary Teachers
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Course Launch and Objectives
Union Education Minister Pralhad Joshi inaugurated a six-month Certificate (Bridge) Course in Primary Teacher Education (PTE) in New Delhi on September 16. Implemented by the National Institute of Open Schooling (NIOS), the programme aims to equip in-service primary school teachers with the training and certification required to teach Classes 1-5. According to the Ministry of Education, the course is designed around child-centred, inclusive and developmentally appropriate teaching practices.
Eligibility Criteria
The bridge course is open to teachers who:
- Hold a Bachelor of Education (B.Ed.) degree,
- Were appointed to teach Classes 1-5 between June 28 2018 and August 11 2023, and
- Have appointments protected under the National Council for Teacher Education (NCTE) Gazette Notification dated June 28 2018.
Eligibility follows the Supreme Court’s April 8 2024 judgment in *Devesh Sharma vs Union of India and Others*, which authorized NCTE to create a bridge course for primary teachers appointed without a Diploma in Elementary Education (D.El.Ed.).
Programme Structure and Delivery
The curriculum combines six theory courses with practical components. Teachers must complete at least 10 days of online contact classes and a minimum of 20 days of school-based experience. Additional elements include practice teaching, reflective journals, portfolios, video tutorials, e-learning resources and digital platforms. Instruction is offered in Hindi and English, while the public examination may be written in any of the 22 scheduled languages listed in the Constitution’s Eighth Schedule. Delivery is through an open and distance learning (ODL) mode, allowing participants to maintain their professional responsibilities while studying.
Application Process
Admissions are conducted online via the official portal [bridge.nios.ac.in](https://bridge.nios.ac.in). Eligible teachers can register, upload required documents and monitor their admission status through a digital dashboard. All course materials, including self-learning resources, are provided electronically.