After a wait of nine months, in-service primary school teachers in the state can now enroll for a correspondence Diploma in Communication in English.
The Department of Public Instruction (DPI) has initiated the process of receiving applications from interested teachers.
Block Education Officers (BEOs) and Deputy Directors of Public Instruction (DDPIs) have started collecting applications from interested teachers only after the Commissioner of Public Instruction issued a letter on September 27.
“Despite previous communication, there has been no response from your office(s).
Take personal interest to spread awareness about this course and collect applications in large numbers.
DDPIs shall receive the applications from BEOs and submit them to the department,” the letter states.
It was in December 2011 that the Regional Institute of English-South India (REISI) proposed to offer a one-year Diploma in Communication in English via distance mode.
The course, REISI said in one of its letters to the DPI, is suggested for primary teachers in order to equip them with all the skills and sub skills-required for effective communication in classrooms.
“It also creates awareness of the nuances of English language and the trends in English language teaching,” REISI said.
A Devaprakash, Director of Public Instruction (Primary), told Express, “BEOs have started collecting applications.
Only 30 applications have come so far, while we are looking at sending at least 1,000 primary teachers for this course.” The one-year course spreads over five components— fluency, accuracy, discourse management, English language pedagogy and teaching practice.
The course mandates 10 days of physical attendance at the REISI located in Jnanabharathi campus.
The DPI will take care of admissions into this course and the selection of candidates also lies with the DPI.
H S Ramarao, director, REISI, said, “We can accommodate 500 teachers.
The course fee of Rs 2,500 will be refunded by the Department of State Education Research and Training.
We will start as soon as we get significant number of applications.”