PROFESSIONAL PREPARATION OF RURAL TEACHERS: ANALYZING THE EXPERIENCES OF THE PANCHAYAT TEACHERS OF BIHAR

The schools in rural India have very distinct needs as compared to those in urban areas. But, hardly any difference exists between the teacher education of urban teachers and rural teachers. The condition gets more serious when we talk of professional development of rural teachers specifically in educationally backward state Bihar. The cadre of Panchayat teachers in Bihar has been increasing in number for almost every year. Many of them are professionally unqualified in the state and are in the process of getting professional qualification through some specific In-service education programmes. Therefore, In-service teacher education has the significant decisive role for the future of rural education in Bihar. This paper is informed by a research study undertaken by the researcher to explore the perceptions and experiences of Panchayat teachers about their In-service education. The findings show that the Panchayat teachers have a mixed response towards their In-service education programmes. Along with their firm belief about the benefits of the In-service programmes, they also have various critical issues to tell. The paper concludes with placing a conceptual framework of teacher education for rural teachers.