About the SCERT, Hyderabad

SCERT, Hyderabad

The State Council of Educational Research and Training (SCERT) Andhra Pradesh, was established on 27-07-1967,after the integration of the State Institute of Education (SIE), State Bureau of Education and Vocational Guidance, State Science Education Unit and State Evaluation Unit. The major objectives of the SCERT are:

1. To Organise in – service training for teacher educators and to teachers of Primary, Upper Primary and Secondary Schools.
2. To Act as a clearing house for ideas and information to keep the teacher educators and teachers abreast of the latest developments in the field of Education
3. To Provide academic guidance to the schools through extention services.
4. To Undertake studies, investigations and surveys relating to educational matters on the appraisal of educational programmes.
5. To Undertake and co – ordinate action research projects on instructional practices, Educational problems etc.
6. To Undertake publication of books, periodicals and other literature necessary for furtherance of knowledge for teachers.
7. To Undertake evaluation and research studies to find out the impact of educational programmes in the state.

Functions

Based on its objectives as the academic wing of the Department of School Education. The following are the functions of SCERT.

Preparation of curricula, syllabi, instructional material for Primary, Upper Primary, Secondary and alternative systems of education. Department of evaluation procedures and material which are helpful to the practicing teachers. Bridging gaps between the methods and techniques advocated in training and the actual classroom practices. Dissemination of knowledge to improved methods and techniques to be followed by educational institutions. Co-ordination with national and international organisations in academic programmes. Organisation of orientation programmes for the professional growth of teachers, teacher – education, supervisor’s etc. Publication of journals, periodicals, books etc. , Resource support to implement the academic policies laid down by the Government.

Constituent Units

SCERT has some constituent units spread over the entire state. They are :-

1. Institutes or Advances Study in Education (IASEs)
2. Colleges of Teacher Education (CTEs)
3. District institutes of Education and Training (DIETs)
4. Teacher Training institutes (TTIs)
5. Extention Service Departments
6. Science Teacher’s Centres.

Collaborative Efforts

SCERT works in collaboration with following national and International Institutions:

1. NCERT, New Delhi along with its constituent unit Regional Institute of Edecation (RIE), Mysore
2. NIEPA, New Delhi
3. Regional Institute of English South India, Bangalore
4. UNICEF,
5. ODA (U. K.)
6. UNFPA.

The Programs Undertaken

Non-formal Education (NFE) Improvement of Science Education (ISE) Environmental Orientation to School Education (EOSE) Integrated Education for the Disabled Children (IEDC) Computer Literacy Assisted Schools (CLASS) Educational Technology (ET) Introduction of Yoga in Schools. Population Education programmes under UNFPA. Universalization of Girls Education (UGE) Education for All (EFA)

Co–ordinate Efforts

SCERT co-ordinates various academic programmes of IASE’s CTE’s. DIETs. TTIs and the Extention Services Departments functioning in IASE, CTEs and DIETs.

SCERT also provides liaison with State Board of Secondary Education. Commissioner for Government Examinations and other organisations which are basically involved in the curricular and co-curricular areas in education.

Expert Services SCERT provides expert services to various institutions which are working in the field of education for qualitative and quantitative improvement.

Expert services provided

1. A. P. Residential Education Institutions Society.
2. A. P. Social Welfare Residential Educational Institutions Society.
3. A. P. Tribal Welfare Residential Educational Institutions Society.
4. Board of Secondary Education Project.
5. District Primary Education Project.
6. A. P. Open School Society.
7. Various schemes as introduced by the Government from time to time
8. Schools run by Indian Railways and public Sector Undertakings

Professional Growth For the professional growth of teachers. SCERT takes up in. Service training courses for Primary. Upper – Primary Secondary teachers and teacher –educators, besides providing sources material like hand books, manuals and other publication.

SCERT also organises seminars. Workshops, conferences involving teachers, teacher - educators, supervisors and administrators.

Research and Evaluation SCERT undertakes action research, studies, experimental research and evaluation of the programmers implemented by it. It also promotes research and evaluation studies by teacher educators and action research by the practicing teachers.

Beyond the Class Room SCERT organises Science fairs at the District and State levels to promote scientific temper and to encourage innovation and research among the students and teachers. This is an annual feature. The State Science Fair is organised on a grand scale. Books on projects / experiments are published both at the district and state levels.

Similarly SCERT also conducts seminar readings for the students at the district and state levels every year. SCERT collaborates with A. P. Mathematics Teachers Association in organising Mathematics Olympiad every year. Encouragement is given to the schools for the establishment of Science clubs, Social Studies clubs and other hobbies to help pupils to spend their leisure time in pursuit of academic excellence.

Library SCRET has good library with latest books and periodicals. The books on content, Pedagogy, reference, friction etc. are available. A reading room is available in the library.

Computer Cell

Computer CELL of SCERT organised CLASS project in Secondary Schools in the State, provided training to the Headmasters. Administrators and Lecturers of the SCERT/DIETS/ and officers of the Directorate of School Education.

It also serves the department by providing computer services like computerisation of Schemes, Project proposals, Documentation of activities. Preparation of notes for conferences, Training courses. Preparation of academic calendars of SCERT/DIETs. Computerisation of Educational Statistics, undertaking confidential work like results of examination. etc. ,

Publications

SCERT develops syllabus and textbooks under

1. Formal Education.
2. Non-formal Education.
3. Vocational Education
4. Environmental Orientation to School Education and resource material in the form of hand books, manuals, enrichment material for teachers under various schemes such as :

Special Orientation for Primary Teachers.

1. Non – formal Education.
2. Environmental Orientation to School Education.
3. Improvement of Science Education.
4. Population Education
5. UNICEF (Comprehensive Access to Primary Education / Primary Curricular Renewal.)
6. News Letter for distribution among teachers and teacher – education.
7. Areas of Interface with the General Public and Other Departments

SCERT is the apex body at the State level for improvement of quality in elementary and secondary education. The institution deals with preparation of syllabus, evaluation of textbooks training and resource support to teachers. Therefore the parents and the teachers are considered to be the clientele for seeking guidance from the institution Wherever academic guidance is required institution provides necessary inputs.

Future Vision of the Department

National Policy of Education 1986 and Programme of action lay a lot of stress on the qualitative improvement of education. The Govt. of India has made the State Councils of Education Research and Training as nodal agencies to look into the task of qualitative improvement of Elementary Education at Elementary and Secondary Education levels. Teacher Education Institution like DIETs, IASEs, CTEs etc. , co-ordinate and implement UNICEF projects like UGC, EFA and other projects like MLLs, Distance Education. The institution’s major responsibility is to ensure quality in teacher education.