In an effort to regularise pre-primary school training in India, Shreemati Nathibai Damodar Thackersey (SNDT) Women's University will introduce a two-year master's programme in early child care education (ECCE) from the coming academic year. This is the first time a post-graduate degree will be offered in early childhood education in India.

The proposal for the course was approved by the academic council of the university in November 2008. "Pre-primary education in India is unregulated. Almost anybody can start pre-primary schools and teach young children," said Dr Reeta Sonawat, head of human development department. According to her, the demand for pre-primary education is high, but there is a severe dearth of trained teachers. "Quite often schools employ unqualified teachers due to lack of professional degrees. We hope to fill this gap and also provide teachers who can train others after undergoing this course," Sonawat added.

Admissions for the course will start from March this year. Around 20 seats are up for grabs and anyone who is a graduate is eligible for the course. "We will conduct an entrance test and a personal interview to select candidates," she said.

In November 2007, a student from the human development department of SNDT had conducted a study on the number of qualified teachers in pre-primary schools in Mumbai. The study revealed that 68% of pre-primary teachers were professionally unqualified. Most teachers had undergone a 3-6 month certificate course from private institutes, which are not recognised. Only a person with a recognised diploma in ECCE is qualified to teach in pre primary schools.

Recognised diplomas in ECCE
Mumbai University offers two-year diploma in early child care education (ECCE) after junior college and one-year diploma after graduation.

Priya Ramakrishnan/ DNA-Daily News & Analysis Source: 3D Syndication