The PG Diploma is a professional programme which aims to enhance the knowledge base and competencies of professionals and educators who engage with children from birth to eight years in preschools, pre-primary sections, early primary grades (Classes 1 and 2) and ECCE centres.
The NEP, 2020, has given explicit recognition to the period of birth to eight years as the period for Early Childhood Care and Education and has called this period as the Foundation of Learning. Globally, it has been recognized that the period of early childhood comprises the period from birth to 8 years instead of birth to 6 years (UNESCO and UNICEF, 2012). Structurally, the NEP has clubbed the period from 3 to 8 years as the Foundational Stage of Education, which is sub-divided into three years of preschool education and two years of early primary education in classes 1 and 2. There is developmental continuity in the period of birth to eight years in various developmental domains. Also, in terms of pedagogical principles underlying planning and transacting learning experiences, the play-based and activity-based approaches of the preschool years need to be continued into the early primary grades, specifically classes 1 and 2. Thus, this programme is uniquely poised to address the potential articulated in the NEP, 2020 by focusing on preschool years and primary grades (class 1 and 2). Besides, addressing the early stimulation and early learning needs of children in birth to 3 years age group also remains an area of focus of this PG Diploma programme. Another unique feature of the programme is the combination of developmental domains approach and the subject-based approach in planning learning experiences for the children up to 8 years of age.
The programme is relevant for a wide range of people working with children up to eight years of age in various educational settings in various roles such as Teacher Educators, Supervisors, Curriculum developers, In-service teachers in preschools and early primary grades (classes 1 and 2). Child care workers, Functionaries working in the area of ECCE as well as Caregivers of young children will also find the programme useful.
Objectives
• To increase awareness regarding the rationale and nature of Early Childhood Care and Education and the Foundational Stage of Education.
• To provide learning experiences that will prepare the students for effective participation in different areas of Early Childhood Care and Education and Foundational Stage Education in varied contexts such as crèches, preschools, and early primary classes.
• To provide opportunities to functionaries and teachers working in the sector to critically examine their practice and enhance it, by exposing them to the developmental and pedagogical basis of designing early development, learning and educational experiences.
• To make the discourse of Early Childhood Care and Education and the Foundational Stage of Education available to a wider section of society.
Counseling
Counseling classes are held for all the courses at the Study Centre. Attendance in 50% of the counselling sessions of each course is compulsory. The schedule for the counseling sessions is provided by the Study Centre.
Teleconferencing
Teleconferencing is a one-way video and two-way audio facility. During teleconferencing session, you will get an opportunity to interact by phone in facility or fax with the resource persons/experts who participate in teleconferencing session and clear your doubts immediately. The teleconferencing facility will be available at the Regional Centre and Selected Study Centres.
The teleconferencing schedule will be sent to the Programme In-charge and Regional Director who would inform the students. Teleconferencing is relayed through Gyan Darshan Channel. You must regularly attend these sessions. These will help you to clarify doubts and interact with other learners all over the country.
Interactive Radio counselling
Interactive radio counselling will be held through F.M. and you can ask questions free of cost with phone in facilities right from your home. A toll free telephone number 1800112347 has been provided for this purpose.
Continuous Evaluation of Theory Component
Assignments
Assignment is a means of continuing assessment of theory courses. Assignments will help you to recapitulate the theory and go back to the text again in case you are unable to answer a particular question. Thus assignments also help to reinforce learning in distance learning system of education. These assignments consist of a set of questions and activities that you will answer at your own place by referring your blocks.
The assignments will cover all types of questions (long answer type, short answer type, objective type, multiple choice questions and case studies). You will be required to obtain forty percent marks as pass percentage in each assignment separately. Each assignment will be out of 100 marks. In the final result, assignments will carry thirty percent weightage.
Term-end Examination
As stated earlier, term-end examination is the major component of the evaluation system and it carries seventy percent weightage in the Final result. The University conducts term-end examination twice a year i.e., in June and December. You can take the examination for the first time only after completion of one year of the course; subsequently you can take the examination in December or June of subsequent years within the total span of the programme.
In case you fail to get a pass score (forty percent and above) in the Term-end Examination, you will be eligible to reappear at the next Term-end Examination for that course when it is held, within the total span of the Programme.
Name of the Programme Co-ordinator: Prof. Rekha Sharma Sen
Telephone No. / e-mail address: 29572958/ rekhasharmasen@ignou.ac.in
Name of the Programme Co-Coordinator: Dr. Preetika Badgujar
Telephone No. / e-mail address: 29573097/ preetika@ignou.ac.in