The National Council for Teacher Education has constituted a five-member committee to investigate alleged irregularities at four Madhya Pradesh B.Ed colleges. The inspection will verify approved locations, infrastructure, faculty strength and compliance with NCTE regulations before submitting a report within five working days.
NCTE Constitutes Five-Member Committee
In an order issued on July 15, the National Council for Teacher Education (NCTE), under the Education Ministry, constituted a five-member independent fact-finding and verification committee to investigate alleged irregularities at four B.Ed colleges in Madhya Pradesh. The inquiry follows reports that some institutions were not operating from their declared addresses and lacked the infrastructure required under NCTE regulations. The committee has been directed to complete its investigation and submit a detailed report, supported by documentary evidence, photographs and videographic records, within five working days.
The committee is headed by H.C.S. Rathore, former Vice-Chancellor of the Central University of South Bihar. Its members include Ashima Mangla, Joint Secretary at the University Grants Commission (UGC); Bhagwati Prasad Kalal and J.P. Singh, Directors in the Department of School Education and Literacy under the Ministry of Education; a nominee of the Madhya Pradesh government; and Wg Cdr Vijay Rana, Regional Director of the NCTE's Western Regional Committee.
Inspection Expanded to Four Colleges
The investigation was launched after media reports raised concerns about three B.Ed colleges affiliated with Barkatullah University. During the preliminary verification, officials found that another B.Ed college was operating from the same premises, increasing the total number of institutions under investigation to four. According to the NCTE, the committee reached Madhya Pradesh on July 17 and has already begun physical inspections. The regulator said the additional institution was identified during the initial study, prompting the expansion of the inquiry.
Compliance With NCTE Norms Under Review
The committee has been instructed to conduct on-site inspections using geotagged photographs and videos to verify whether the colleges are functioning from their approved locations. Officials will compare their findings with the institutions' recognition documents, Performance Appraisal Reports (PARs) and other official records submitted to the NCTE. The inspection will also assess whether the colleges comply with the provisions of the NCTE Act, 1993, NCTE Regulations and prescribed recognition standards. Areas under review include infrastructure, classrooms, laboratories, land availability, faculty strength and other academic and administrative requirements necessary for operating teacher education programmes.
Strict Action Possible After Investigation
The committee has been directed to submit its findings within five working days. Based on the report, the NCTE will conduct a comprehensive review before deciding on further action against the institutions. Describing the matter as a serious lapse, the regulator said strict punitive action would be taken against any institution found violating the NCTE Act, regulations or recognition norms after the completion of the 360-degree verification process.
