CURRENT AFFAIRS FOR UPSC IAS

The National Council of Teacher Education (NCTE) is awaiting approval from the Ministry of Education to launch the National Mission for Mentoring (NMM) on a national scale. This mission aims to significantly expand the pool of mentor teachers from 60 to 1,000, providing professional and personal support to school teachers across India.

• In line with the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, the NMM seeks to establish a robust framework for continuous professional development and mentorship for school teachers.
• The proposal involves scaling up the number of mentor teachers, with a particular focus on various instructional modules and areas crucial to educators' development.

Pilot Mode:

• The NCTE has already initiated a pilot mode, attracting around 700 mentee teachers seeking training through the NMM portal.
• The mentoring areas identified include instructional modules for Hindi and Mathematics in primary, middle, and secondary sections, digital education, socio-emotional learning, inclusive education, professionalism and ethics, classroom management, building 21st-century skills, interpersonal skills, action research projects, art-integrated pedagogy, and teacher’s mental health engagement.

Mentor Profile:

• Out of the initial 60 mentor teachers, half of them are Padma awardees.
• This initiative aligns with the NEP 2020 and marks a groundbreaking effort where teachers receive mentorship support to enhance their knowledge and teaching abilities.

Financial Support:

• The Union Budget for 2021-22 recognized the significance of the NMM, leading to the Ministry of Education's approval and the allocation of ?1.28 crore for building digital infrastructure.
• Subsequently, in 2022-23, an additional ?2 crore was utilized to run the mission in pilot mode.
• The NCTE has drafted a National Mission for Mentoring - The Bluebook, a document awaiting approval from the Ministry of Education for the nationwide rollout.

Implementation:

• The pilot program was launched in July 2022 in 30 selected central schools, including 15 Kendriya Vidyalayas, 10 Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalayas, and five CBSE schools across the country.
• Despite a budget allocation of ?1.56 crore for 2023-24, there has been partial utilization, with potential spillover to the next financial year.

Impact and Future Outlook:

• The NMM is not only enhancing the teaching abilities of mentee teachers but also fostering a culture of continuous learning.
• The program ensures that educators stay updated and relevant in the dynamic educational landscape.
• Once approved by the Ministry of Education, the mission is poised to make a significant impact on the professional development of teachers nationwide.