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M.A. IN EDUCATION (ELEMENTARY)

Introduction

The M.A. in Education (Elementary) programme aims to enhance knowledge, capacities and orientations that are relevant to strengthening elementary education in the country. Students completing this programme would develop a critical and reflective understanding of core and foundational areas of education, including theory and research, with special reference to India. The programme is designed to include thematic, issue-based courses that are of current significance in the Indian context. Students will also develop special expertise in chosen areas of study relating more directly to professional needs: for e.g. curriculum, pedagogy, teacher development, material development, education of children with special needs, leadership and management issues, etc.

The programme has two distinctive features.

1. It is conducted in dual mode which involves 3 weeks of contact classes and 15 weeks of distant learning per semester. The programme is spread over four semesters and is to be completed within two academic years. This model has been chosen as a way of facilitating participants to combine their work with study. The contact classes are held at the Mumbai campus of the TISS. Teaching–learning in the rest of the semester is carried out based on planned weekly/fortnightly reading, study and regular assignments to be shared with faculty and other peers, primarily through the internet.
   
2. This programme is a collaborative endeavour involving six educational organisations, including TISS, who have contributed significantly to elementary education research and innovative practice. The five other collaborators are:

The degree will be awarded by the Tata Institute of Social Sciences, Mumbai.

Course Outline

Distribution of Credit Hours

Semester-Wise Listing of Courses

Notes:

1. This includes both the distance and contact credits
2. Optional Courses A, B, and C, are to be chosen from the following with at least one option from each group.

Optional Group 1 comprises: OC 1 First Language Pedagogy, OC 2 Pedagogy of Mathematics, OC 3 Pedagogy of Social Studies, and OC 4 Science Education.

Optional Group 2 comprises: OC 5 Education Leadership and Management, OC 6 Materials Design and Development, OC 7 Teacher Professional Development, OC 8 Gender and Education, and OC 9 Education of Children with Special Needs.

Faculty

The M.A. in Education (Elementary) will be conducted by a core team of faculty drawn from TISS, as well as from various academic institutions and educational organisations.

Visiting and Guest Faculty (for 2007-2009)

• Dr. Padma Sarangapani, NIAS, Bangalore
  
• Mr. Rohit Dhankar, Digantar Shiksha evam Khelkud Samiti, Jaipur
  
• Mr. Hridayakant Dewan, Vidya Bhawan Society, Udaipur
  
• Ms. Anjali Noronha, Eklavya, Madhya Pradesh
  
• Dr. K. Subramaniam, HBCSE, Mumbai
  
• Prof. Geetha Nambissan, Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi
  
• Prof. Poonam Batra, University of Delhi, Delhi
  
• Prof. Ramakant Agnihotri, University of Delhi, Delhi
  
• Dr. Sadhna Saxena, University of Delhi, Delhi
  
• Dr. Amman Madan, Indian Institute of Technology, Kanpur
  
• Dr. Farida Khan, University of Delhi, Delhi
  
• Dr. Jacob Tharu, Hyderabad
  
• Dr. Maxine Berntsen, Pragat Shikshan Sanstha, Phaltan
  
• Dr. Roda Billimoria, Sir Shahpurji Billimoria Foundation, Mumbai
  
• Ms. Jane Sahi, Sita School, Bangalore
  
• Dr. Sunil Batra, Centre for Education, Action and Research, Delhi
  
• Ms. Archana Mehendale, Independent Researcher, Bangalore
  
• Ms. Rekha Pappu, Independent Researcher, Hyderabad
  
• Mr. K. Gurumurthy, Azim Premji Foundation, Bangalore
  
• Mr. Alok Mathur, Rishi Valley School, Andhra Pradesh
  
• Ms. Meera Oke, Soham Training Research and Development, Pune
  
• Ms. Suvasini Iyer, Miranda House, New Delhi
  
• Ms. Yemuna Sunny, Eklavya, Madhya Pradesh
  

Eligibility

A Bachelor's Degree of a minimum 3 years duration or its equivalent (under the 10+2+3 or 10+2+4 or 10+2+2+1 year bridge course pattern of study or any other pattern fulfilling the mandatory requirement of 15 years of formal education) from a recognised university, with minimum aggregate marks of 50% (40% for Scheduled Castes [SCs] and Scheduled Tribes [STs]).

Selection Procedure

Those satisfying the eligibility requirements will be assessed for selection (Total Marks = 200) through the following:

1. Written Test (100 Marks): A Written Test in English aims at an assessment of (i) proficiency in English language, (ii) awareness of and reflection on educational issues in India, (iii) analytical capacities, and (iv) sensitivity to social concerns and issues. The time allotted is two and a half hours.
2. Personal Interview (75 Marks): To become eligible for Personal Interview (PI), a general candidate should secure a minimum of 45% (35% for SC/ST) in the written test.
3. Academic Background (25 Marks): Marks are awarded to each applicant on the basis of overall percentage of marks secured in the Bachelor's Degree Examination.
4. Verification of Original Documents: The verification of original documents will be carried out at the time of personal interview/admission at the Institute.

Reservations

The TISS is an equal opportunity institution and there is no discrimination on the basis of race, religion, national origin, gender, marital status, age or physical disability. As per the Government of India directives, there is a reservation for the following groups:

• 15% for SC candidates and 7.5% for STs.
  
• 3% for the persons with disability, of which 1% each for (a) Low Vision/ Blindness (b) Hearing Impairment, and (c) Locomotor Disability/ Cerebral Palsy in all the programmes.
  
• 15% supernumerary seats for foreign nationals.
  
• GoI directives will be followed for Other Backward Classes (OBC) candidates, as applicable.

Career Opportunities

This programme aims at professional development in various areas relevant to education, with a focus on elementary education. This includes teacher education, curriculum development, material development and textbook design, education programme coordination, as well as research. Employers include educational institutions involved with teacher preparation, and research, government and non-government agencies involved with developing and implementing intervention programmes, documentation and research.

Contact Details

Postal Address: Post Box 8313, Deonar, Mumbai 400 088.

Please address all your letters to the Deputy Registrar, Academic Section, Tata Institute of Social Sciences.

Telephone: 91-22-2556 3289-96, Extn. 258, 259 and 261.

The telephone board functions from 9.00 a.m. to 8.00 p.m. from Monday to Friday.

Fax: 91-22-2556 2912

E-mail: pgadmissions@tiss.edu ; acadsec@tiss.edu