Teacher Education Program (B. Ed) in SAARC Countries

Abstract

The objective of the study was to evaluate the present Pre-service Elementary Teacher Education Programs (B. Ed & equivalents) of SAARC Countries to reveal innovative ideas, which may be adopted and adapted in other countries including Pakistan. Reference books, journals, research papers, Encyclopedias of education, yearbooks, national educational policies, internet and such other resources were consulted to have an insight of these nations, their system of education and to retrieve salient features of a good Pre-service Elementary Teacher education program. Questionnaire named as “Questionnaire for Elementary Teacher Education program evaluation” was prepared, preened after pilot study at provincial capitals of Pakistan and presented to a team of local and foreign experts. Semi-structured interviews were also conducted to increase the quality and quantity of responses. In the light of high majority opinions criterion component were finalized. These components in the form of question were sent to the SAARC countries through the relevant Embassies, graduate facilitators, who on my behalf collected data. Collected data was sorted out and matched with the already developed criteria. Result revealed that Indian system of Teacher Education matches the criteria most. Pakistan has many mismatches but Elementary Teacher Education Program offered by the University of Education, Lahore and its associated colleges is bridging this gap successfully. Bhutan, Bangladesh and Maldives are showing improvements. The experiments of Sri Lanka & Nepal have many lessons to learn.