4-year integrated BEd programme at HPU likely from next session

Students aspiring to pursue a Bachelor of Education (BEd) degree from Himachal Pradesh University (HPU) will soon have the opportunity to complete their degree within four years. The university is set to introduce an integrated BEd programme from the upcoming academic session, streamlining teacher education by combining a general bachelor’s degree with professional training.

HPU had applied for five units of the integrated BEd programme in May 2024 from the National Council for Teacher Education (NCTE), a statutory body under the Centre. Following the application, the necessary formalities were initiated to secure approval for the course.

According to NCTE guidelines, the university has met the required criteria to launch the programme. The Northern Regional Committee (NRC) of NCTE has scheduled a virtual testing (VT) inspection to verify essential documents, including land records, building plans, and a Non-Encumbrance Certificate, ensuring compliance with NCTE Regulations 2014. Additionally, a visual inspection will assess the infrastructure and instructional facilities at the university to determine its preparedness for the course.

Prof Dr Kuldeep Singh Katoch, Chairman of the Integrated Teacher Education Programme (ITEP) Committee at HPU Shimla, confirmed that the university is in the final stages of securing approval for the programme. He stated that the online inspection is expected to take place before March 31, 2025, and the university remains optimistic about receiving the green light to launch the course in the next academic session.

Under this integrated four-year programme, students will be able to pursue a teaching career while simultaneously earning a general bachelor’s degree. The structure includes options such as BA BEd (Secondary & Middle), BSc BEd (Secondary & Middle), and BCom BEd (Secondary), allowing students to specialise in their respective fields while acquiring teaching qualifications.

If approved, the programme will mark a significant step in teacher education, offering a more efficient pathway for students to enter the teaching profession while completing their undergraduate studies.