DSCE-An Introduction

 
Dev Samaj College of Education, Sector 36-B, Chandigarh is an institution of high repute having carved a name for itself with academic and curricular achievements of unrivalled standards. The college has a record of educational success that dates backs to 1981, completed 28 years of meritorious service to the country and to the union territory of Chandigarh in particular, in the field of teacher education for women. It is a matter of great pride that Dev Samaj College of Education is the first college in the northern region to be recognised by NCTE in the year 1997 and it is also the first teacher education college in the northern region to have been accredited with four stars by NAAC. The college offers three programmes B.Ed. (Bachelor of Education), M.Ed. (Masters of Education) and Post Graduate Diploma in Guidance and Counselling.

The core curriculum of all the three programmes also includes practicum/work based learning. Since the college has to train its students in teaching learning process, it does have a good linkage with the schools in the city. The practice teaching plans are developed in partnership cooperatively involving the school staff and mentor teachers. The practice teaching is organized twice during the course for the total number of 40 working days in schools. School subject teachers also observe the lessons of the student teachers. The heads of the schools interact with the students and give overall feedback about the performance of the student during teaching practice.

Dev Samaj College of Education, Chandigarh is managed by its Managing Committee comprising of 15 members headed by the Chairperson of the Committee. The management is committed to provide quality education to students. To ensure democratic environment in the institution all matters are discussed by involving the Principal and two staff representatives from the college. The head of an institution plays a key role in its successful functioning with the co-operation of well qualified and competent faculty consisting of 26 members, 12 of them holding doctoral degrees, 2 with M.Phil. degrees and majority are UGC NET qualified.

The institutional goal is to provide holistic education to prospective teachers and to achieve this goal the objectives of the institution envisage values oriented education, develop critical capacities, enhance skills and competencies, preserve socio-cultural heritage, bring peace and harmony in four kingdoms and to acquaint student teachers with the impact of globalization on education. In order to carry on and to regulate varied institutional functions, different committees, houses and clubs perform their assigned work.

In addition to the existing courses prescribed by the Panjab University, Value Education forms a vital part of curriculum to make student aware of the teachers’ responsibility in improving the moral fabric of the society. To inculcate the feeling of social responsibility various clubs have been formed which the student joins according to her own interest. The main purpose of these clubs is make student teachers aware regarding social conditions and ways to blend them with the main stream. The institution has also adopted social service clubs that include Mother Teresa Missionaries of Charity, Institute for the Blind, Savera (Short Stay Home for Destitute Women), Old Age Home, Shiksha (a school for slum Children), Blood Bank and SPCA. Each student goes to these clubs two hours a week to help the underprivileged sections of the society.

The importance of a congenial working environment is stressed upon and cultivation of rapport between students and teacher is encouraged. Student teachers are motivated to participate in competitions at state, regional and national levels. Seminars and workshops are conducted on topics of social and academic importance. Sports and Physical training are compulsory as part of overall development of personality.

Self evaluation and introspection can only lead to improvement, therefore the tradition of constant revision of plans and policies is strongly upheld. The institution does not intend to rest on its achievements and laurels but constantly work with great zeal and enthusiasm to achieve more in pursuit of excellence.