Continuous in-service education of teachers is necessary to keep them abreast of the changes taking place in their professional environment and to develop their skills and attitudes in the light of their changing role. Latest approaches and methodologies should be followed in the training. This branch has to made interaction with field to identify problems and prescribe solutions and to collect information about worthwhile experiences, innovations and success stories etc. Action research and experimentation to be conducted to tackle the specific problems. These field experiences may be used in different in-service education programmes. The main functions of this branch in accordance with DIET guidelines are given below:

 

1. To assist educational authorities in planning and coordination of in-service educational programmes for elementary teachers throughout the district, and to plan and coordinate such programmes held in DIET, Pursuant to this, the branch has to:

   • Identify training needs of elementary teachers in the district and prepare a perspective plan for meeting such needs;

   • Prepare an annual calendar of all programmes to be held in DIET and;

   • Help concerned authorities in preparing an annual calendar of in-service programmes to be held outside the DIET.

2. To serve as the nodal branch for organizing:

   • All those in-service education programmes for teachers and head masters at the Institute, whose content does not relate exclusively or pre dominantly to any one branch i.e. programmes of a relatively general/omnibus nature.

   • Orientation programmes for resource persons who conduct in-service programmes for teachers at other centres in the district (i.e. outside the DIET).

   • In-service education programmes for teachers in the distance/face to face modes.

3. To evaluate and monitor the quality and efficacy of in service programmes held in and outside the DIET, and to strive for their continuous improvement.

4. To maintain a database on all persons, except NFE/AE personnel, who undergo training at the Institute, and to organize follow up activities pursuant to such training, through correspondence, visits, transmission of printed material, etc.

5. To serve as a reference and resource centre for teachers who wish to continue their education.

6. To act as the nodal branch for all action research and field interaction (including extension) activities of the institute which may include, inter alia:

   • Coordination of in house action research activities and dissemination of its results.

   • Acting as a clearing house for information on results of all studies, researches and innovations etc. in the area of Elementary Education whenever undertaken.

   • Publication of a periodic newsletter and an institute journal to be sent to every elementary school/NFE/AE center in the district.