State Council of Educational Research and Training (SCERT)

 Introduction

• Education in India falls under the Concurrent List, meaning it is a joint responsibility of both the Union and the State Governments.
• To coordinate and integrate educational planning and training at the state level, the SCERT was established as the state-level counterpart of NCERT.
• It acts as an apex academic body at the state level to improve the quality of school education.

Objectives of SCERT

        The main objectives of SCERT are to:

• Plan, manage, research, and evaluate educational programmes from pre-school to higher secondary levels.
• Provide academic support and ensure quality education at both primary and secondary levels.
• Act as an agent of change in school education, non-formal education, and teacher education.
• Coordinate and monitor all educational and training programmes within the state.

Organizational Structure of SCERT

        SCERT consists of various departments that perform specific functions:

        Main Departments

        1. Department of In-Service Education

            Conducts in-service training for teachers.

        2. Department of Elementary Teacher Education

            Focuses on training teachers for elementary classes.

        3. Department of Universal Elementary Education

            Works towards achieving universal elementary education.

        4. Department of Educational Research, Policy Perspective and Innovations

            Conducts educational research and develops innovative teaching strategies.

        5. Department of Information Technology in Education

            Promotes ICT in education and digital learning.

        6. Examination and Admission Cell

            Handles examinations, testing, and admissions for training programmes.

        Other Supporting Departments

•  Academic Cell
• Administration Cell
• Accounts Department
• Publication Department

Role of SCERT

The SCERT plays multiple academic, administrative, and training roles:

• Acts as the academic wing of the State Education Department for elementary and teacher education.
• Controls and supervises the working of:

• DIETs (District Institutes of Education and Training)
• Teacher Training Colleges
• Secondary Training Schools

• Prepares and revises curriculum at the primary level keeping in mind the Minimum Levels of Learning (MLL).
• Develops learning materials and textbooks for school education.
• Provides orientation and training to teachers for implementing MLL and innovative teaching practices.
• Develops preschool packages and promotes early childhood education.
• Implements schemes and projects sponsored by:
• MHRD, NCERT, and international agencies like UNESCO, UNICEF, and World Bank.
• Conducts research on various aspects of school education.
• Provides financial and technical assistance to schools for research projects.

Functions of SCERT

1. Curriculum Revision and Review of Textbooks

• Revises and updates textbooks for primary and upper primary levels to ensure quality and relevance.

2. Conducting Workshops and Research

• Organizes workshops on research methodologies, new teaching techniques, and assessment methods.

3. Pre-Service and In-Service Teacher Training

• Provides teacher training programmes for both new and serving teachers to enhance professional skills.

4. Total Quality Management (TQM)

• Focuses on identifying and solving the root causes of quality problems in education instead of treating their symptoms.

5. Guidance and Support

• Offers guidance to schools and teachers on evaluation, pedagogy, and innovative teaching methods.

6. Orientation Programmes

• Conducts orientation for teachers on leadership, research aptitude, proficiency, and classroom management.

Importance of SCERT

1. Serves as the link between NCERT and the state education system.
2. Ensures uniformity and quality in educational practices across the state.
3. Strengthens teacher education, curriculum development, and educational research.
4. Promotes continuous professional development of teachers.
5. Plays a crucial role in achieving universal and quality education goals at the state level.

Summary

To sum up, 

• SCERT is the state-level apex body responsible for planning, managing, researching, and supporting educational programmes.
• It ensures the academic excellence of teachers, the quality of education, and the implementation of innovative educational practices throughout the state.