An Introduction
The Education Commission (1964-66) observed, “Of all the factors influencing the quality of education, the quality, competence, and character of teachers are undoubtedly the most significant.” However, these qualities depend significantly on the quality of training and support provided to them.
Until the adoption of the National Policy of Education (NPE) in 1986, support in the field of elementary education was primarily provided at the national and state levels by institutions such as the National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT), the National Institute of Educational Planning and Administration (NIEPA), and State Councils of Educational Research and Training (SCERTs), functioning as Resource Centres (SRCs) at the state level. Below the state level, there were elementary teacher education institutions, but their activities were primarily focused on pre-service teacher education. In Maharashtra, the State Institute of Educational Research and Training (SCERT) serves as the state resource center.
The elementary and adult education systems had already grown too vast to be adequately supported by national and state-level agencies alone. The NPE 1986 envisioned their further expansion and considerable qualitative improvement. Therefore, the provision of support in a decentralized manner had become imperative. The NPE 1986 and the Programme of Action (POA) 1992 consequently called for the addition of a third district-level tier to the support system in the form of District Institutes of Education and Training (DIETs). This addition aimed to achieve broader quantitative coverage and enhanced qualitative support, as these institutes would be closer to the field, making them more attuned to its problems and needs.
In line with the provisions of NPE 1986 on teacher education, a centrally sponsored Scheme of Restructuring and Reorganization of Teacher Education was approved in October 1987. One of the five components of the scheme was the establishment of DIETs. Draft guidelines for implementing the DIET component were circulated to states in October 1987 and have, along with certain subsequent circulars, formed the basis for its implementation thus far. By October 1989, Central assistance had been sanctioned under the scheme for the establishment of a total of 216 DIETs across the country.
As a result, there are 33 district education and training institutions in the state. The government approved the establishment of these institutions in Hingoli, Washim, Nandurbar, and Gondiya in accordance with the government decision no. PT-2005/8/05/ मशि-4, dated 9th August 2005.
26 positions were approved for each district, making a total of 104 positions. However, due to the delayed implementation of these district education and training institutions, the 104 positions became vacant. Therefore, the proposal to revive these positions was under the government’s consideration.