School Internship Programme of D.El.Ed.: A Bird's Eye View
Mr. Biman Chandra Dutta, Sr. Lecturer of DIET Sivasagar, Sonari, prepared an action plan to conduct the School Internship Programme (SIP) smoothly. Based on this action plan, the programme is systematically designed and executed each year.
The school internship is widely regarded as the single most important component of any teacher education programme. It provides student-teachers with a platform to integrate the theoretical knowledge they have acquired in classrooms with practical experiences. The internship consists of full-time school work, offering intensive exposure to lesson planning, teaching, managing school activities, preparing instructional materials, and performing the duties expected of a regular teacher.
Through this field experience, student-teachers develop essential competencies and skills required to serve as facilitators of learning. They interact with teachers, students, administrators, and the broader community, including parents, to understand real-world issues and challenges. This engagement contributes significantly to their overall growth as teachers. The internship also exposes them to the multicultural context of Indian classrooms, which plays a vital role in shaping their approach to teaching and classroom management.
In addition to practice teaching in real classroom situations, student-teachers are encouraged to participate in and organize various school programmes. These activities are designed to help develop their attitudes, interests, values, and appreciation for the teaching profession.
The two-year D.El.Ed. programme is structured to offer meaningful opportunities for student-teachers to work in partnership with children, the community, and schools. The internship aims to provide first-hand experience in teaching and managing school life. It also emphasizes connecting theoretical learning with its practical application.
Student-teachers are expected to engage in a variety of activities including:
- Maintenance of records and registers
- Preparation of lesson plans and unit plans
- Classroom management
- Community-related activities
- Parent-teacher interactions
- Self-reflection and professional development
These activities are documented in portfolios and reflective journals, where student-teachers record their experiences, observations, and conclusions throughout the internship period.
The internship is spread across two years in different phases:
- First Year: Introduction to various types of schools, understanding school environments, child psychology, developing and reflecting on teaching-learning materials, and assisting as a regular teacher at the primary level.
- Second Year: Acting as a full-time teacher, experimenting with innovative methodologies, reflecting on their own teaching practices, and actively participating in various school activities beyond academics.
Every year, an album is prepared that showcases the activities conducted under the School Internship Programme. For the current session, an e-album has been developed by Ms. Deepa Rani Gogoi, Sr. Lecturer at the institute, capturing the diverse efforts and experiences of student-teachers during the internship.
