IASE launches ITEP
Teacher is the backbone of education system. Be it prior to AI or AI world, teacher is irreplaceable. I am not kidding, I am stating the truth. To my mind teacher is necessary, rather inevitable to the learning process, whether in front of the class, or whether standing on the side, offering the learners greater agency, or getting behind the microphone and having screens in front of the learners, or going beyond into the world of AI, fine tuning AI agents and bots to produce learning among learners. You might say, “this is too much”. No. This is not too much. Rather, I would say, you are not trying to see through the mist of technology. Please give me some moments to explain before you get to my collar.
When I talk about a teacher, I am not talking about any tom, dick and harry. I mean, a teacher, accomplished, and complete. This kind of teacher is irreplaceable, indispensable. Any questions? No , I am sure. Yes, we may not have been able to produce this lot in greater numbers. We produce them too little in number. Don’t blame me. Blame the system. Isn’t this the way we usually respond. Anyway, producing them in greater numbers needs a greater systemic rigor. Keep in mind that rigor includes the rigor in the quality of the teacher as well. We didn’t achieve it then. But, now, the time has changed. It’s now like: now or never. And that is why this systemic rigor is what NEP-2020 has forcefully talked about while chastising the teacher education institutions and their programs.
In this backdrop, and given the NEP-2020’s deep concerns for bringing the required amount of rigor and depth in the teacher education, the Institute of Advanced Studies in Education, MA Road, Srinagar in a landmark initiative introduced, in February, 2026, a 04 year Integrated Teacher Education Program (ITEP) approved by NCTE. The institute has been working tirelessly towards bringing greater quality and compliance in its teacher education programs. The ITEP program has 02 verticals, one in science (B.Sc.B.Ed.) and another in humanities (B.A.B.Ed.). The IASE is the only institute in the J&K having introduced science embedded ITEP for Secondary Stage. This is a remarkable feat since the institution has, after 3rd cycle NAAC accreditation, been slowly gearing towards turning into multidisciplinary institution. And ITEP is the stepping stone towards this direction. The NEP-2020 speaks to this effect thus: “The 4-year integrated B.Ed. offered by such multidisciplinary HEIs will, by 2030, become the minimal degree qualification for school teachers.” [Para 15.5, NEP 2020].
The institution has not just introduced dual major ITEP but has also gotten into the mould of multidisciplinary institutions, as recommended by NEP-2020. By the very fact of introducing, well in time, its bouquet of 04 year Teacher Education programs, the institution has set the pace towards realizing the vision of NEP-2020. These programs attest to the fact that IASE has moved out of stand-alone tradition into a multi-disciplinary ecosystem. The NEP-2020 highlights the renewed role of Teacher Education institutions: “Teacher education is vital in creating a pool of school teachers that will shape the next generation. Teacher preparation is an activity that requires multidisciplinary perspectives and knowledge, formation of dispositions and values, and development of practice under the best mentors. Teachers must be grounded in Indian values, languages, knowledge, ethos, and traditions including tribal traditions, while also being well- versed in the latest advances in education and pedagogy” [Para 15.1, NEP 2020].
IASE is fast gearing itself into this new perspective by shaking off the previous silo identity. The introduction of B.Sc.B.Ed. Program (secondary stage) will surely pave way for further infusion of natural sciences and other related programs in the institution, therefore, further strengthening the multidisciplinary character of the institution. If it were not for the principal of the institution, IASE would not have gotten the approval for ITEP B.Sc.B.Ed. program. After fulfilling the prerequisites for ITEP, the institution was barely set for approval for BA.B.Ed. Program (humanities version). Prof. Seema Naz exhibited farsightedness and patience by doing all homework, besides paperwork, required for the approval. She went ahead, before going to NCTE, by erecting a multi-storey Science Block in the campus on war footing, which, she felt would fetch approval for B.Sc.B.Ed. Program (science version), in addition to BA.B.Ed. This, no doubt, is a watershed moment for the college. And this watershed moment has been brought about under the able leadership and vision of the principal of the institution. Prof. Naz has been indefatigable and resilient despite hurdles that came in the way for approval. In the previous year, while holding the charge of Dean Academics, Cluster University, Srinagar, knowing quite very well that she was there but for the short while, yet Prof. Seema wisely and sagaciously undertook the cumbersome spade work for the introduction of PhD. Program. The program is finally on offer. Kudus!
Coming back to ITEP, this is the great time for those who find themselves passionate for teaching and changing the destiny of not just the learners, but the nation as well. The ITEP degree will be the most sought after degree for teachers in 2030. NEP-2020 further enlightens us about the fact: ‘In order to maintain uniform standards for teacher education, the admission to pre-service teacher preparation programmes shall be through suitable subject and aptitude tests conducted by the National Testing Agency, and shall be standardized keeping in view the linguistic and cultural diversity of the country’ [papa 15.7 page 43]. Aspiring teachers must keep this in mind. The future recruitment in the country will shift swiftly to this end. But it is not just about the degree that NEP-2020 is talking about. It is, most importantly, signaling us toward a significant and immersive atmosphere that leverages deeper knowledge, competitive skills & cutting edge research aptitude. To this effect, IASE has earned the stature of being one of the leading Teacher Education Institutions in the country, at least in the first two areas, and surely, compared to other TEIs, it stands far ahead in the UT as far as conduct of Teacher Education programs is concerned.The rigor and quality is already there, and the stakeholders are a witness to this. But the road to quality and rigor, we know, is endless. And hence we claim to be just the travelers, yet slightly being ahead of others. I am sure this is a good opportunity, and this makes a good case as well, for aspiring teachers who are contemplating to join a teacher education programs. Therefore, IASE’s ITEP is a great bargain.
