Parliament Question: Teachers' Education in LWE affected Districts

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF EDUCATION DEPARTMENT OF SCHOOL EDUCATION & LITERACY LOK SABHA

UNSTARRED QUESTION NO:- 4073 ANSWERED ON-18/08/2025 Teachers' Education in LWE affected Districts

4073. Shri Sukanta Kumar Panigrahi:

Will the Minister of EDUCATION be pleased to state:

(a) whether the Government is aware that Left Wing Extremism (LWE) affected districts with majority of Scheduled Tribes and Scheduled Castes are facing challenges in accessing quality teacher education;

(b) if so, the details thereof;

(c) whether the Government is considering special relaxations to support teachers' education in such districts for the academic session 2026-27;

(d) if so, the details thereof;

(e) whether exemption from NAAC accreditation for starting ITEP courses, relaxation in minimum years of institutional existence and special admission window for 2026–27 is provided for such districts; and

(f) whether these measures are expected to enhance the Gross Enrolment Ratio and promote inclusive socio-economic development in such educationally backward regions? ANSWER MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF EDUCATION (SHRI JAYANT CHAUDARY)

(a) & (b): For ensuring access to quality teacher education, including in Left Wing Extremism (LWE) affected districts with majority of Scheduled Tribes and Scheduled Castes, National Initiative for School Heads' and Teachers' Holistic Advancement (NISHTHA) programme has been initiated for providing training to in-service teachers. The programme is financially supported by the Department under the centrally sponsored scheme of Samagra Shiksha. As per the scheme norms, preference in the interventions is given to LWE affected districts, among others. The National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT) has collaborated with the National Education Society for Tribal Students (NESTS) for conducting regular NISHTHA teacher training and capacity building programmes for teachers of Eklavya Model Residential Schools (EMRS) across the country.

(c) to (f): In pursuance of the recommendations of the National Education Policy, 2020, the National Council for Teacher Education (NCTE) has notified four (04) year Integrated Teacher Education Program (ITEP) on 26th October 2021. At present, the ITEP has been introduced in pilot phase in selected NAAC accredited Higher Education Institutions across the country. As on date, NCTE has not received any proposal for grant of exemption from NAAC accreditation from any Teacher Education Institution in the country for conduct of ITEP pilot.

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