KOZHIKODE: The physical education departments of colleges in the state are in a hurry to comply with the NCTE approval norms following a complaint filed by the Government Physical Education College, Kozhikode, with the National Council for Teacher Education.
Based on the complaint, NCTE had sought comments on the approval of physical education courses conducted by the varsities and affiliated colleges.
According to the letter by the principal of Government Physical Education College, the only government-run physical education college in the state, six physical education departments of five universities were running courses without NCTE approval.
Many courses were being run without proper facilities, the letter said and sought a probe into the issue.
“While the students who passed NCTE-approved courses failed to get jobs, those without NCTE- approved degrees were grabbing the jobs. This challenged the very authority of the apex body of teacher education,” said Mr S.S. Abhilash, principal-in charge of the Government Physical Education College.
It is learnt that the varsities have already initiated approval process with the NCTE. It is not clear whether the approval will be with retrospective effect. Kannur University School of Physical Education and Sports Sciences Director Dr P.T. Joseph said that the varsity had already implemented the norms and rules of NCTE. “Once they get a reply from the state government, we expect a visit by the NCTE team and recognition later,” he said.
Calicut University Vice- Chancellor has also ordered steps to get approval. Sree Sankaracharya University of Sanskrit physical education department assistant director Lukose George and Lakshmibai National College of Physical Education dean (academics) Dr Usha S. Nair said that the paperwork regarding the approval was almost over.
However, Christ College principal Fr Jose T.M maintained that the institution did not require NCTE recognition as it was affiliated to the varsity. No communication had been made by the university in this regard. “The course was actually a restructured one of BSc Physical Education, which was started in early 1990,” said the principal.
