In addition, the course develops a thorough understanding of areas such as educational evaluation, school management etc.

According to M. Shanmugam, Deputy Director, IGNOU Sub-Regional Centre, Madurai, there is a good demand every year for the university's B. Ed. programme that is designed with learner-specific modules.

Eligibility/admission

Graduates working as teachers in recognised schools having a minimum experience of two years are eligible to apply. The selection is made on the basis of the candidate's score obtained in the entrance examination. Academic session for this programme is from January to December. The entrance test will be held in August. For the forthcoming session, the admission forms are being issued now and the last date for submission is June 30.

Prospectus-cum-admissio form, along with the previous year's entrance examination question papers, is available on payment of Rs.500 at all study centres of IGNOU. It can be downloaded from the university website at: www.ignou.ac.in. The total fee, including examination fees (to be remitted at the time of admission) is Rs.13,200.

Once the registration is made, it is valid for a maximum of four years. In Tamil Nadu and Pondicherry, the B. Ed. course is offered through 14 colleges identified as IGNOU Programme Centres accommodating 1,400 candidates. The centres are located in Chennai, Madurai, Coimbatore, Salem, Tuticorin, Palayamkottai, Nagercoil, Pudukottai, Karaikudi, Vellore, Pondicherry, Komarapalayam and Orathanadu.

Mr. Shanmugam said allotment of centre would be done through admission counselling conducted for candidates who qualified in the entrance examination. More details can be had from the Madurai centre at The American College campus or phone: 0452-2536541. By SHASTRY V MALLADY (Courtesy: The HINDU)