Multicultural Placement Programme of Student-Teachers During Pre-Internship: A Case Study

Abstract

The uniqueness of two-Year B.Ed. programme of Regional Institute of Education, Bhubaneswar, Odisha (RIE) which is a constituent body of NCERT, New Delhi is that, it gives importance to field experience and practical exposures for trainees in the form of multicultural placement, internship in teaching and field work with community. During pre-internship phase, the student teachers are given the exposure to various schools through Multicultural Placement Programme (MCPP). The MCPP has three aspects: Pre-conference for 2 days in the institute; Multi-cultural placement for 15 days in three types of schools (Urban, Rural and Tribal) and a half-day day post-conference in the institute. The present study is an attempt to understand about the processes of organizing various activities and the problems associated in organising MCPP in RIE. The present study adopted ethnographic case study design. Out of three groups, one group of 24 student-teachers were the sample of the present study. The sites for the present study were RIE and three Government schools of Balasore district from three locations i.e., tribal, urban and rural areas. The data collection instruments were observation schedules, Interview schedules and focus group discussions with student-teachers. During observation, it is found that some student-teachers are not taking much interest in different activities. There is hardly any critical observation by student teachers. This may be because of lack of proper guidance and continuous monitoring by cooperating teachers and supervisors. Except the coordinator of the programme, nobody is serious about MCPP. The student-teachers could not realise the cultural diversity inside and outside the classroom. Emphasis was given on pedagogy and not culture-specific pedagogy. Non-Odia background student teachers faced serious problem when they are placed in Odia medium schools. At last, the investigators put their suggestions to improve the process of conducting MCPP.

Keywords: multicultural placement programme (MCPP); student teachers; pre-internship phase; cooperating schools.

DOI: 10.7176/RHSS/9-9-02

Publication date:May 31^st 2019