In order to bridge the gap between the demand and supply of trained primary teachers in the National Capital Territory, Delhi University will offer the four-year Bachelor of Elementary Education (B. El. Ed.) programme in at least four more colleges starting next session.

While authorities at Dyal Singh College were hoping that the college would get the necessary clearance to start the course this year, the college, the first co-educational institute under DU’s aegis, will now introduce the course in the 2010-11 session. The plans of initiating new courses were put on hold this year due to the OBC quota expansion.

Vivekanand College, Bharati College and Bhagini Nivedita College are the three other colleges that have expressed interest in introducing the course, said Professor Anita Rampal, coordinator of the B. El. Ed. programme and professor in DU’s Department of Education.

Dyal Singh College has asked for 50 seats in the programme. The Faculty of Education has sold more than 7,300 forms this year, up from last’s year 4,500 applications.

“We want more co-educational colleges, like St Stephen’s and Ramjas, to introduce the course. Right now, we have only women’s colleges offering the course,” Rampal said.

At present, there are 336 seats for the bilingual course offered at eight colleges of the university, with around 800 to 1,000 students enrolled at various levels, officials said.

The course also ensures 100 per cent placement after graduation, officials added. But the number of graduates is hardly enough to meet the need for elementary teachers across the Delhi region, where more than 3,000 schools are functioning.

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