State to raise issue with NIOS over D.EI.Ed. exam's new dates

MP | 21 January 2019 | Kolkata: State Education minister Partha Chatterjee on Monday expressed his displeasure over the National Institute of Open Schooling (NIOS)'s decision in cancelling the D.El. Ed examination in Bengal, citing leakage. 

"The test has been cancelled only in Bengal but not in any other state where the examination was held. When an examination is cancelled for alleged leakage, it should be done in all the states where the examinations are supposed to be held. Why only in Bengal? Is the NIOS regulated by the Centre," Chatterjee questioned.

The rescheduling of the examination on February 3 in which candidates have to appear for two subjects each of three hours' duration has also been an area of concern for those who have already sat for the examination held on December 20 and 21 respectively. 

The state Education secretary has already written a letter to the concerned authorities either to revoke its decision of cancellation or reconsider the rescheduled date.

"The teachers have submitted a deputation to me citing their difficulty to appear for two papers on a single day. So we have decided to raise the issue with the NIOS," Chatterjee said. 

The teachers who have been already teaching in institutions but do not have B.Ed degree can clear D.El. Ed examination and accordingly meet the requisite criteria for teaching as mandated by the National Council of Teacher Education (NCTE). 

Meanwhile, the state Education department has decided to raise the salary of Siksha Bandhus from Rs 5,994 to Rs 8,392 a month. There are presently 3,925 Siksha Bandhus working at the grass-root level of Sarba Siksha Abhiyan (SSA). 

"The salary of those associated with project management related work under the SSA will also be enhanced by 40 percent on an average," Chatterjee said. 

The minister expressed his optimism that induction of Class V in primary education will be completed by 2020 with some areas to be worked upon.