New Delhi: In a significant move to clean up teacher education standards, the National Council for Teacher Education (NCTE) has dispatched a five‑member fact‑finding team to Madhya Pradesh to investigate serious irregularities at three BEd colleges. The panel’s findings could trigger strict penalties, including possible de‑recognition of the institutions involved.
The committee, formed on July 15, was prompted by media reports about questionable practices at three colleges affiliated with Barkatullah University. During initial checks, authorities discovered a fourth college operating from the same premises, raising concerns about fake locations and missing facilities.
The team arrived in the state on July 17 and immediately began inspections. Led by H.C.S. Rathore, former Vice‑Chancellor of the Central University of South Bihar, the committee includes senior officials such as Ashima Mangla from the University Grants Commission (UGC), two directors from the Ministry of Education, a Madhya Pradesh government nominee, and NCTE’s Regional Director Wg Cdr Vijay Rana.
Over the next few days, members will conduct thorough physical verifications using geo‑tagged photos and videos to document the ground reality. The team will scrutinise infrastructure, laboratories, land records, faculty strength and compliance with NCTE norms. They will compare on‑site observations with the documents and Performance Appraisal Reports (PARs) submitted by the colleges to verify if they meet legal requirements under the NCTE Act and regulations.
NCTE officials are treating the issue with utmost seriousness. In a strongly worded statement, the regulatory body warned that any violations will invite harsh punitive action following a complete review.
“This is viewed as a serious lapse,” the NCTE said, adding that defaulting institutions will face strict consequences.
The formation of this high‑powered committee indicates NCTE’s resolve to restore credibility in teacher training programmes. The outcome of this probe is being closely watched, as it may set a precedent for similar inspections across the country and lead to major reforms in how BEd colleges are regulated and monitored.
(IANS)
