←
Perspectives in Education and Education Policy · Chapter 4

Teacher Empowerment

What to remember

  • Teacher empowerment means giving teachers the knowledge, skills, status, freedom and support to teach well and to grow in the profession. It rests on training, motivation, ethics and organisation.
  • Institutions form a chain: NCTE regulates teacher education; NCERT guides the country; SCERT guides the state; DIET supports the district; the school keeps the records.
  • A teacher has a duty-based code. Under the RTE Act, a teacher must come on time, finish the curriculum, assess children fairly, hold parent meetings, and must not give private tuition or punish children.

Meaning and need of teacher empowerment

An empowered teacher is confident, well trained, respected and able to take decisions about classroom work. The Kothari Commission said that the destiny of India is shaped in her classrooms, and that the teacher is the key person in any reform. Empowerment has four sides.

  • Academic: good pre-service and in-service training, and a say in the curriculum and teaching methods.
  • Professional: a clear code of conduct, a career path, promotions and a voice through associations.
  • Social: respect in the community, fair salary and safe working conditions.
  • Psychological: motivation, self-belief and a sense of purpose.

A teacher who is only a "follower of orders" cannot build a thinking child. NEP 2020 therefore wants teachers to be given autonomy to choose good teaching methods, and wants a transparent system of transfers and merit-based promotion.

Code of conduct and professional ethics

A code of conduct is a set of rules and values that guide the behaviour of teachers towards students, parents, colleagues, the community and the profession. NCTE issued a Code of Professional Ethics for school teachers.

  • Towards students: treat all children equally; do not discriminate by caste, religion, gender, language or place; never use corporal punishment; respect each child's dignity; keep personal information private.
  • Towards parents and community: meet parents regularly, share the progress of the child honestly, and do not misuse the community's trust.
  • Towards colleagues and the profession: cooperate, share ideas, avoid backbiting, keep learning, and respect the profession's honour.
  • Towards society and nation: promote the values of the Constitution, national integration, scientific temper and secularism.

Government teachers are also bound by the conduct rules of the State Civil Services (the Andhra Pradesh Civil Services Conduct Rules). These rules require integrity, political neutrality and sincerity, and forbid taking gifts, running a business, or using the post for personal gain.

RTE Act provisions on teachers: Section 24 lists duties (regular and punctual attendance, completing the curriculum in time, assessing learning, remedial teaching, meeting parents). Section 27 says teachers shall not be given non-educational work, except for census, disaster relief and elections. Section 28 bans private tuition by teachers. Section 17 bans physical punishment and mental harassment.

Teacher motivation

Motivation is the inner drive that makes a person work with energy and interest toward a goal.

TheoryThinkerMain idea
Hierarchy of needsAbraham MaslowPhysiological, safety, belonging, esteem, self-actualisation; higher needs matter once lower needs are met
Two-factor theoryFrederick HerzbergHygiene factors (salary, working conditions, job security) prevent dissatisfaction; motivators (recognition, achievement, responsibility) create satisfaction
Expectancy theoryVictor VroomEffort depends on the belief that effort leads to a result and the result is valued
Theory X and YDouglas McGregorX assumes people dislike work; Y assumes people enjoy work and seek responsibility

Ways to motivate teachers: fair pay and timely promotion, recognition and awards, good school facilities, a friendly head teacher, freedom to experiment, chances for training, and a sense of belonging. The intrinsic motive (love of teaching) lasts longer than the extrinsic motive (reward, fear of punishment). Teachers' Day is on 5 September, the birthday of Dr Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan, and National Awards honour outstanding teachers.

Professional development

Professional development is the continuing growth of a teacher through pre-service education, induction and in-service training.

  • Pre-service training: D.El.Ed. for primary teachers, B.Ed. for secondary teachers. NEP 2020 proposes a four-year integrated teacher education programme (ITEP) and a minimum degree route for all teachers in future.
  • In-service training: orientation courses, refresher courses, workshops, seminars, subject-teacher forums and cluster-level meetings. Teachers are expected to attend a minimum number of days of training each year.
  • Modern routes: the DIKSHA platform, online courses, and NISHTHA, a national programme for the holistic advancement of school heads and teachers, run under Samagra Shiksha.
  • Action research, reflective diaries, peer observation, mentoring and portfolios help a teacher improve without leaving school.
  • National Professional Standards for Teachers (NPST) is a framework planned under NEP 2020 to define the stages of a teacher's career and the skills at each stage.
  • National Curriculum Framework for Teacher Education (NCFTE 2009) wants teacher education to build reflective practitioners who see the child as an active learner.

Teacher organisations

Teacher organisations are associations that protect the interests of teachers and work for the improvement of education.

  • Purposes: improve service conditions, help in professional growth, represent teachers before the government, spread good practices and protect the dignity of the profession.
  • Levels: school/mandal level, district, state, national and international. In Andhra Pradesh, state-level federations of teachers such as APTF and UTF are well known. At national level there are bodies such as the All India Primary Teachers' Federation. An international body is Education International.
  • Professional bodies (for academic growth) differ from trade-union type bodies (for service demands). A good teacher organisation does both, but never harms children's learning time.

NCTE, NCERT, SCERT and DIET

BodyLevelYearMain function
NCERTNational1961Research, textbooks, curriculum frameworks, training; guides states on school education
NCTENationalStatutory body from 1995 (NCTE Act 1993)Plans and coordinates teacher education; gives recognition to institutions; sets norms and standards
SCERTStateMostly set up in the 1960s-70s (AP SCERT in 1967)State curriculum, textbooks, state-level training, research and evaluation
DIETDistrictScheme begun after NPE 1986Pre-service and in-service training of elementary teachers, resource support to schools, action research

More points:

  • NCTE was first set up as an advisory body in 1973 and became statutory in 1995. Its headquarters is in New Delhi.
  • NCERT is an autonomous organisation, and its main frameworks are the National Curriculum Frameworks (NCF).
  • DIET is the key district-level institution for elementary education and has branches such as pre-service teacher education, district resource unit, and planning and management.
  • Colleges of Teacher Education (CTE) and Institutes of Advanced Study in Education (IASE) support secondary teacher education.
  • In AP, the State Council of Educational Research and Training (SCERT) prepares state textbooks and training modules and supports DIETs in the districts.

School records and registers

Records give a true picture of the school, its pupils and its work. They help in planning, inspection, and RTE compliance.

RecordPurpose
Admission registerPermanent record of every child admitted, with admission number, date of birth, parents' details
Attendance registerDaily presence of pupils (and a separate one for staff)
Cumulative record cardContinuous record of each child's academic, personal, health and co-curricular growth
Transfer certificateIssued when a child leaves; must be given without delay under RTE
Teacher's diary / lesson planDay-wise plan and reflection of the teacher
Log book / visitors' bookRecord of inspections and visits and official remarks
Stock registerItems such as furniture, books and equipment
Cash book and fee/grant registerMoney received and spent
Scholarship registerDetails of students who get scholarships and their payments
Mid-day meal registerNumber of children fed, food items and stock
Time-table and calendarPlan of periods and the school year
School Management Committee recordMinutes of meetings and the School Development Plan

A cumulative record is not a punishment list. It should be updated by the class teacher and shared with the child's parents.

Exam traps

  • 1. NCERT (1961) is not the same as NCTE (statutory in 1995). NCERT writes textbooks; NCTE regulates teacher education.
  • 2. SCERT works at state level; DIET at district level.
  • 3. Maslow is about needs; Herzberg is about hygiene and motivators. Salary is a hygiene factor, not a motivator.
  • 4. Section 28 of RTE bans private tuition by teachers; Section 27 limits non-educational duties.
  • 5. A cumulative record card tracks the whole child; an admission register is only the entry record.
  • 6. A teacher association protects service interests; NCTE regulates the profession. They are not the same.
  • 7. Pre-service training happens before the job; in-service training happens during the job.
  • 8. Teachers' Day is for Dr S. Radhakrishnan (5 September); Children's Day is for Nehru (14 November).

One-liners

  • 1. Teacher empowerment means knowledge, skill, status and autonomy of the teacher.
  • 2. NCERT was established in 1961.
  • 3. NCTE became a statutory body in 1995 under the NCTE Act 1993.
  • 4. DIETs came after the National Policy on Education 1986.
  • 5. SCERT guides school education in a state.
  • 6. RTE Section 24 lists the duties of teachers.
  • 7. RTE Section 28 prohibits private tuition by teachers.
  • 8. Herzberg's two factors are hygiene factors and motivators.
  • 9. Maslow's top need is self-actualisation.
  • 10. NISHTHA is a national programme for training teachers and school heads.
  • 11. NCFTE 2009 is the framework for teacher education.
  • 12. The cumulative record card shows the all-round growth of a child.

Practice questions

  1. NCERT was established in which year?

    1. 1948
    2. 1973
    3. 1986
    4. 1961
    Answer

    D. 1961

    NCERT was set up in 1961 as an autonomous body in New Delhi.

  2. The National Council for Teacher Education (NCTE) became a statutory body under the NCTE Act of

    1. 2009
    2. 1993
    3. 1986
    4. 1973
    Answer

    B. 1993

    The NCTE Act 1993 gave statutory status, effective 1995.

  3. Which institution works at the district level for elementary teacher training?

    1. NCERT
    2. DIET
    3. NCTE
    4. SCERT
    Answer

    B. DIET

    District Institutes of Education and Training train elementary teachers and support schools.

  4. Which body regulates teacher education institutions and sets norms for them?

    1. NCERT
    2. SCERT
    3. UGC only for schools
    4. NCTE
    Answer

    D. NCTE

    NCTE plans, coordinates and regulates teacher education.

  5. Which RTE section bans private tuition by teachers?

    1. Section 28
    2. Section 24
    3. Section 17
    4. Section 12
    Answer

    A. Section 28

    Section 28 of the RTE Act prohibits private tuition by teachers.

  6. Which RTE section lists the duties of teachers?

    1. Section 13
    2. Section 28
    3. Section 24
    4. Section 30
    Answer

    C. Section 24

    Section 24 lists duties such as punctuality, completing the curriculum and meeting parents.

  7. Teachers may be given non-educational work only for

    1. census, disaster relief and elections
    2. mid-day meal supply and bank work
    3. school construction and fund raising
    4. survey of crops and tax collection
    Answer

    A. census, disaster relief and elections

    RTE Section 27 allows only census, disaster relief and elections.

  8. Herzberg's two-factor theory calls salary and working conditions

    1. intrinsic rewards
    2. hygiene factors
    3. self-actualisation needs
    4. motivators
    Answer

    B. hygiene factors

    Hygiene factors prevent dissatisfaction but do not by themselves motivate.

  9. Which of the following is a motivator in Herzberg's theory?

    1. Salary
    2. Job security
    3. Working conditions
    4. Recognition for achievement
    Answer

    D. Recognition for achievement

    Recognition, achievement and responsibility are motivators.

  10. The highest need in Maslow's hierarchy is

    1. self-actualisation
    2. esteem
    3. safety
    4. belonging
    Answer

    A. self-actualisation

    Self-actualisation sits at the top of the hierarchy.

  11. Victor Vroom is associated with which motivation theory?

    1. Two-factor theory
    2. Hierarchy of needs
    3. Expectancy theory
    4. Theory X and Theory Y
    Answer

    C. Expectancy theory

    Vroom proposed expectancy theory.

  12. Theory X and Theory Y of motivation were given by

    1. Herzberg
    2. Douglas McGregor
    3. Maslow
    4. Vroom
    Answer

    B. Douglas McGregor

    McGregor described two views of workers.

  13. Teachers' Day is celebrated on 5 September in memory of

    1. Jawaharlal Nehru
    2. Dr Zakir Husain
    3. Dr B. R. Ambedkar
    4. Dr Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan
    Answer

    D. Dr Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan

    5 September is Radhakrishnan's birthday.

  14. A teacher's love of teaching is an example of

    1. extrinsic motivation
    2. intrinsic motivation
    3. external control
    4. hygiene factor
    Answer

    B. intrinsic motivation

    Intrinsic motivation comes from within the person.

  15. Training received by a teacher before joining service is called

    1. pre-service training
    2. refresher course
    3. orientation course
    4. in-service training
    Answer

    A. pre-service training

    Pre-service training happens before the job begins.

  16. A refresher course for working teachers is an example of

    1. pre-service training
    2. induction only
    3. distance admission
    4. in-service training
    Answer

    D. in-service training

    In-service training is given during service.

  17. NISHTHA is a national programme for

    1. school meals
    2. adult literacy
    3. training teachers and school heads
    4. scholarships for girls
    Answer

    C. training teachers and school heads

    NISHTHA stands for National Initiative for School Heads' and Teachers' Holistic Advancement.

  18. NCFTE 2009 is a framework for

    1. adult education
    2. school mid-day meals
    3. higher education finance
    4. teacher education
    Answer

    D. teacher education

    The National Curriculum Framework for Teacher Education was released in 2009.

  19. A teacher who thinks about her own practice and improves it by studying her own classroom is doing

    1. external evaluation
    2. action research
    3. routine inspection
    4. rote teaching
    Answer

    B. action research

    Action research is classroom-based problem solving by the teacher.

  20. Which record keeps a continuous account of a child's academic, personal and health growth?

    1. Cumulative record card
    2. Cash book
    3. Admission register
    4. Stock register
    Answer

    A. Cumulative record card

    The cumulative record card tracks all-round growth.

  21. The permanent record of every child admitted to a school is the

    1. log book
    2. attendance register
    3. admission register
    4. stock register
    Answer

    C. admission register

    The admission register is the permanent entry record.

  22. Which register records furniture, books and equipment of a school?

    1. Attendance register
    2. Stock register
    3. Scholarship register
    4. Admission register
    Answer

    B. Stock register

    Stock register lists school property.

  23. Daily presence of pupils is recorded in the

    1. log book
    2. cumulative record card
    3. attendance register
    4. transfer certificate
    Answer

    C. attendance register

    Attendance register records daily presence.

  24. Inspection remarks of visiting officers are written in the

    1. cash book
    2. teacher's diary
    3. admission register
    4. log book
    Answer

    D. log book

    The log book/visitors' book holds official remarks.

  25. The Transfer Certificate under RTE should be issued

    1. without delay when a child leaves
    2. only after fees are cleared
    3. only at the end of the year
    4. only to children above 10 years
    Answer

    A. without delay when a child leaves

    RTE Section 5 ensures transfer without delay; admission cannot be denied for lack of a TC.

  26. DIETs were created after which policy?

    1. NPE 2020
    2. Mudaliar Commission 1953
    3. Kothari Commission 1966
    4. National Policy on Education 1986
    Answer

    D. National Policy on Education 1986

    The DIET scheme followed NPE 1986.

  27. Which pair is correctly matched?

    1. NCTE - district level
    2. NCERT - state level
    3. SCERT - state level
    4. DIET - national level
    Answer

    C. SCERT - state level

    SCERT works at state level; DIET at district; NCERT and NCTE at national level.

  28. The Kothari Commission described the teacher as

    1. a mere executor of orders
    2. an optional part of the system
    3. only a subject expert
    4. the key person in educational reconstruction
    Answer

    D. the key person in educational reconstruction

    It said the destiny of India is shaped in her classrooms.

  29. Which is an example of a hygiene factor in a teacher's job?

    1. Job security
    2. Sense of achievement
    3. Recognition by the community
    4. Increased responsibility
    Answer

    A. Job security

    Job security, pay and conditions are hygiene factors.

  30. Which of the following best shows a teacher's duty towards students under a professional code?

    1. Using mild punishment for discipline
    2. Treating all children equally without discrimination
    3. Giving extra marks to favourites
    4. Sharing students' private information freely
    Answer

    B. Treating all children equally without discrimination

    Equal treatment and no corporal punishment are core duties.

  31. Which is NOT a duty of a teacher under RTE Section 24?

    1. Giving private tuition to weak children
    2. Holding regular meetings with parents
    3. Attending school regularly and punctually
    4. Completing the curriculum in time
    Answer

    A. Giving private tuition to weak children

    Private tuition is banned under Section 28.

  32. Which body prepares the state-level textbooks and training modules for school education in AP?

    1. NIOS
    2. DIET
    3. SCERT
    4. NCTE
    Answer

    C. SCERT

    The State Council of Educational Research and Training prepares state curriculum material.

  33. NCTE was first set up in 1973 as an

    1. private trust
    2. advisory body
    3. statutory body
    4. university
    Answer

    B. advisory body

    It gained statutory status only in 1995.

  34. The professional standards for teachers planned under NEP 2020 are called

    1. NISHTHA
    2. NCFTE
    3. NIPUN
    4. NPST
    Answer

    D. NPST

    National Professional Standards for Teachers.

  35. Four-year integrated teacher education programme proposed under NEP 2020 is

    1. ITEP
    2. D.El.Ed
    3. CTE
    4. DIET
    Answer

    A. ITEP

    ITEP is the integrated teacher education programme.

  36. A teacher uses the cumulative record card of a student mainly to

    1. punish the child for past errors
    2. decide the child's caste
    3. understand and guide the whole development of the child
    4. allot seats in the hostel
    Answer

    C. understand and guide the whole development of the child

    CRC is a guidance tool.

  37. Which is an extrinsic motivator for a teacher?

    1. Interest in the subject
    2. Cash award
    3. Personal growth
    4. Joy of seeing children learn
    Answer

    B. Cash award

    A reward given from outside is extrinsic.

  38. Teacher organisations mainly aim to

    1. protect service interests and improve professional growth
    2. replace the education department
    3. control school admissions
    4. give licences to schools
    Answer

    A. protect service interests and improve professional growth

    Associations represent teachers and promote professional development.

  39. Which institution supports secondary teacher education along with DIETs?

    1. Gram Panchayat
    2. College of Teacher Education (CTE)
    3. Cluster school
    4. Anganwadi centre
    Answer

    B. College of Teacher Education (CTE)

    CTEs and IASEs support secondary teacher education.

  40. Consider the statements: 1. NCERT regulates teacher education institutions. 2. DIET gives in-service training to elementary teachers. Which is/are correct?

    1. 1 only
    2. 2 only
    3. Both 1 and 2
    4. Neither 1 nor 2
    Answer

    B. 2 only

    NCTE, not NCERT, regulates teacher education; DIET trains elementary teachers.

  41. Consider the statements: 1. Teachers can be given census duty under RTE. 2. Teachers can be asked to run private tuition for weak pupils. Which is/are correct?

    1. 1 only
    2. 2 only
    3. Both 1 and 2
    4. Neither 1 nor 2
    Answer

    A. 1 only

    Census duty is allowed under Section 27; tuition is banned under Section 28.

  42. Consider the statements: 1. In-service training is given during the job. 2. Pre-service training is given after retirement. Which is/are correct?

    1. 1 only
    2. 2 only
    3. Both 1 and 2
    4. Neither 1 nor 2
    Answer

    A. 1 only

    Pre-service training comes before joining service.

  43. Consider the statements: 1. Herzberg's hygiene factors include working conditions. 2. Maslow's theory has five levels of needs. Which is/are correct?

    1. 1 only
    2. 2 only
    3. Both 1 and 2
    4. Neither 1 nor 2
    Answer

    C. Both 1 and 2

    Both statements are correct.

  44. Consider the statements: 1. NCTE became statutory in 1995. 2. NCERT was set up in 1961. Which is/are correct?

    1. 1 only
    2. 2 only
    3. Both 1 and 2
    4. Neither 1 nor 2
    Answer

    C. Both 1 and 2

    Both are standard facts.

  45. Consider the statements: 1. A stock register is a record of money received. 2. A cash book records the furniture of the school. Which is/are correct?

    1. 1 only
    2. 2 only
    3. Both 1 and 2
    4. Neither 1 nor 2
    Answer

    D. Neither 1 nor 2

    Stock register lists property; cash book records money. Both statements are reversed.

Page 1 of 1
‹
›