Q1.What is the Eligibility and Training for the Teacher's profession ?
A1. Pre Primary Teacher Primary school teachers should preferably be 12th class pass with at least 50% marks aggregate. More than the academic records it is the personal skills and aptitude that is more important. There are a number of vocational training centres which conduct training for pre school teachers. There are Montessori Teacher training schools which give training for pre-school education. Primary Teacher The minimum requirement to be a primary school teacher is a graduate with a nursery training certificate / diploma or degree. Normally candidates who have a Bachelors in education ( B.Ed.) start their career as primary school teachers and gradually move up. Candidates who are graduates in home science can also be selected for primary school teachers. The candidate must be a graduate or a post graduate with at least 55% marks aggregate and holding either a diploma or degree in education or teaching. The candidate should have at studied least one of the teaching subjects during graduation.

Secondary and Senior Secondary Teacher The candidate must preferably have a post graduate degree in the subject and a Bachelors in education ( B.Ed. ) degree. The B.Ed. course thoroughly prepares the teachers for secondary schools. Teachers who have this B.Ed. degree after their graduation are called Trained Graduate Teachers. Candidate with a previous teaching experience are preferred. There are a number of teacher's training colleges which give this B.Ed. course of one year duration. Some universities also offer correspondence courses for training teechers who are already in service. There are separate institutions for special teachers such as teachers of the blind, deaf and dumb, mentally retarded, art, craft, music and physical education. Regional Institutes of Education at Mysore, Bhubaneshwar, Cuttack and Ajmer are run by NCERT. They offer basic Graduate Degree in Art or Science along with a B.Ed.This is a four year course after school. Shivaji University, Kolhapur conducts a BA, B.Ed course of four years duration. Barkatullah University, Bhopal conducts a BA, B.Ed and also B.Com., B.Ed. course of four years duration.

Lecturers Lecturers in Arts, Commerce, Sciences, Social Sciences, Law, Foreign Languages and Physical Education require a post graduate degree in the relevant subject from an Indian University University or an equivalent degree from a foreign University, with at least 55% marks. Eligibility test for lecturers (NET) are conducted by UGC, CSIR or similar tests accredited by the UGC. Lecturers who have completed 8 years of service after regular appointment and participated in at least two refresher courses of approved duration are appointed in the senior scale. They should also have a consistently satisfactory performance appraisal report. Senior scale lecturers who do not have a Ph.D. degree or equivalent published work and who do not meet the scholarship and research standards, but fulfill the other criteria and have a good record in teaching, get the Selection Grade.

Professors Eminent scholars who are actively engaged in research, whose work has been published and appreciated, and also have at least 10 years of experience in postgraduate teaching can be selected as professors. Those who have done research at University or National level institutions and also have the experience of assisting students in research work at doctoral level could also take up teaching jobs as professors.

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Q2.What is the remuneration ?
A2. Primary school teachers Government Schools : Rs. 4,500 - Rs. 9,000 Junior school teachers Government Schools : Rs. 5,500 - Rs. 12,000 Secondary school teachers Government Schools : Rs. 2,000 - Rs. 3,500 College lecturers Rs. 6,500 - Rs. 10,500 College readers Rs. 8,000 - Rs. 13,500 College professors Rs. 12,400 - Rs. 22,400

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Q3.What is the Career Structure ?
A4.There is no rigid promotion structure in the teaching profession. Some teachers with good track records and who have been actively involved in handling additional administrative assignments in school could become Vice Principal or Principal. Designations and functions are not consistent and vary according to the rules of the institute. Colleges have a more strict career structure.

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Q4. What are the Future Prospects ?
A4. Teaching is especially suitable for those who prefer flexible schedules. The profession welcomes late entries and those who are changing careers. Many married women find it suitable as it allows them to work again after they have started a family. It should be noted that teachers who do return after a break are entitled to nothing less than their old salary. In most professions, once a person leaves, it is difficult to catch up since new things are always being learned and discovered, but teaching is one of those professions where someone is always needed. Another avenue for teachers is giving tutorial classes. With the increase in classroom size and lack of sufficient attention given to the students, most students and parents feel the need for extra classes. As the school is unable to provide such classes, tutorial batches have become fairly common in big cities and towns. Tutors can provide coaching for not only the class subjects but also for competitive examinations, such as the Civil Services entrance exams, MBA, TOEFL etc.