PRAYAGRAJ, May 8 -- Allahabad University (AU) will launch a four-year Integrated Teacher Education Programme (ITEP) from the academic session 2025-26, officials of the central university informed. AU vice-chancellor Prof Sangita Srivastava welcomed the approval to introduce the course, stating that it aligns with the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 and reinforces the university's commitment to equipping students with skills and job-readiness for better career opportunities. The ITEP, designed in line with the guidelines of the National Council for Teacher Education (NCTE), is a four-year undergraduate programme that combines education with a specialised subject such as language, history, or mathematics. Admission will be based on the score of the National Common Entrance Test conducted by the National Testing Agency (NTA), said AU PRO Prof Jaya Kapoor. "This programme aims to provide prospective teachers with a holistic education-combining pedagogy, content knowledge, and practical experience," she added. The course will be conducted by AU's Department of Education. Prof Dhananjay Yadav, head of AU's department of education, shared that NCTE has approved 50 seats for this programme. So far, only six central universities in the country have been granted permission to run the four-year integrated ITEP, he said. The programme will consist of eight semesters. Under NEP 2020, the ITEP is envisioned as a dual-major holistic bachelor's degree in education and a specialised subject such as a language, history, music, mathematics, computer science, chemistry, economics, art, or physical education. According to Prof Yadav, the course offers three major advantages:Graduates will be directly eligible for postgraduate teaching positions; they can pursue an MA in their specialised subject; and they can complete an MEd degree in just one year. He also highlighted that AU's Department of Education holds the distinction of being the first in the country to launch an MEd programme, back in 1942. Prof Jaya Kapoor added that ITEP is a fully professional course with high employment potential. Upon successful completion, students will earn a BA-BEd degree. She noted that ITEP is set to become mandatory for all school teachers in India by 2030....