NCTE introduces new ITEP courses in Yoga, Performing Arts, Sanskrit and PE

 To tackle the critical shortage of qualified teachers in specific disciplines, the National Council for Teacher Education (NCTE) has introduced four-year Integrated Teacher Education Programmes (ITEP) in Yoga, Performing and Visual Arts, Sanskrit, and Physical Education. These new offerings, launched under the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, aim to cultivate educators with both practical skills and strong theoretical foundations—areas where current short-term certificate and diploma courses often fall short.

“The reason for launching exclusive ITEP courses in these subjects is a clear market need,” said Prof Pankaj Arora, Chairman, Education Times, NCTE.

Although subjects like Yoga and Sanskrit have long existed in school syllabi, there has never been a formal, specialised teacher training route for them. Aspiring Yoga instructors often pursue brief courses that lack comprehensive training in designing age-appropriate curricula and addressing holistic well-being. Similarly, Sanskrit is frequently taught by general BEd graduates rather than specialists.

“We do not have teachers for these courses, though there is a demand in schools for teachers in these specialisations,” said Prof Gajanan Londhe, NCTE Member and Executive Director of Samvit Research Foundation, Bengaluru.

Expanding ITEP to include Performing and Visual Arts furthers the NEP 2020’s focus on a well-rounded, inclusive education. The Physical Education ITEP—upgraded from the traditional BEd specialisation—will include enhanced content such as sports science, biomechanics, and psychology alongside practical training.

Phased Implementation and Institutional Readiness

NCTE will roll out the programmes gradually. According to Prof Arora, the council is not pursuing immediate mass implementation. Instead, it has finalised standards and is waiting for formal approval before inviting institutions to apply for recognition. Only institutions with robust infrastructure—like art studios, yoga labs, or sports facilities—or a proven track record will be considered in the initial phase.

Pilot initiatives will be launched in select institutions with expertise in these domains, such as universities with established Yoga or arts departments. Lessons from these pilots will guide future nationwide implementation.

Innovative Curriculum and Pedagogy

A team of experts is currently developing the curriculum, which will consist of 40% theoretical content and 60% practical training. The coursework will include both traditional subjects like Indian Knowledge Systems (IKS) and Vedic philosophy, and modern fields such as AI and digital education.

“Aid in grounding the students in classic domains like Vedic culture, Indian ethos and imbuing them with contemporary teaching technologies: combined learning, work project-based and joint 'Vaad-Vivaad' discussions conventions,” noted Prof Sudhakar Venukapalli, NCTE Member and former EFLU Dean.

Pedagogical methods will align with NEP’s four-stage school education model—foundational to secondary—ensuring age-appropriate depth and development.

Regional Adaptation and Flexibility

While the Performing and Visual Arts curriculum will follow a national template, NCTE encourages universities to tailor content to include regional and tribal art forms. Though no detailed framework exists yet, NCTE will support universities by linking them with relevant experts. Ultimately, curriculum customization will be the responsibility of individual institutions.

Capacity Development and Regulatory Oversight

Due to the limited pool of trained instructors in these areas, NCTE has organized regional workshops in Ahmedabad, Shillong, and Kurukshetra, with plans for further sessions in southern India. These gatherings aim to build capacity and refine the draft norms through feedback.

To ensure accountability, institutional recognition will be based on online monitoring and performance metrics. Since September 2024, institutions must report progress against key indicators. Of the 12,000 registered teacher education institutions, nearly 3,000 have failed to comply and were issued show-cause notices. Persistent non-compliance could lead to de-recognition.

By 2030, the four-year ITEP will be mandatory for teaching roles in India. Current two-year BEd programmes must either transition to the ITEP model or face de-recognition. The transition timeline allows institutions to upgrade their infrastructure and train faculty accordingly.

Conclusion

Through the launch of these subject-specific ITEPs, NCTE is bridging the gap in teacher availability for niche areas like Yoga, Sanskrit, Arts, and Physical Education, while fulfilling NEP 2020’s vision of holistic, future-ready education. This initiative marks a significant shift in teacher preparation, integrating India’s cultural heritage with modern pedagogical innovations.