A Detailed Guide on Diploma in Elementary Education

This is an extensive guide on diploma in elementary education: eligibility, admission, fees, colleges, and more.

D.El.Ed or the full form, Diploma in Elementary Education, is a professional-level course that prepares students to work as teachers in primary level schools. If you are a person who wants to pursue a career as a teacher in elementary schools or an educational field, then this course is for you. It essentially trains teachers to be able to work under the primary education system. 

The Diploma in Elementary Education is a 2-year full-time course, mandatory for all teachers who wish to teach at primary or secondary schools (classes 6 to 10). The minimum eligibility required to receive admission in a course offering this diploma is to pass standard 12 from a recognized board or school. Students are admitted to this course on the grounds of merit achieved by the student in Standard 12 exams and an entrance exam. This course can be opted for as a classroom or distance learning.

Spread over four semesters, this course ensures that students are fully prepared to impart knowledge in the right way to the students in elementary schools. The course is designed in a way to include practical training as well as classroom learning giving the benefit of best-of-both-worlds to aspiring teachers and instructors. Some courses even offer internship opportunities to students depending on the institution you choose to pursue this course from. A diploma in elementary education has several benefits and could be considered as one of the best job opportunities in this economic climate.

The course structure differs from institution to institution. In India, there are different recruitment tests conducted in different states for the post of an elementary school teacher in government schools. If a person is looking forward to pursuing a career as an elementary school teacher then there are several tests like the CTET or State-Level TET exams that would need to be cleared.

These tests would give the applicant eligibility to teach in not only government schools, but private schools as well. If a student decides against pursuing a career in education then there are benefits to this course even if such a situation arises. A wide array of career options are available to the candidate after procuring their diploma in elementary education. 

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A career as a teacher is one of the most fulfilling careers a person can have. There is always a demand for good teachers and professors to teach the upcoming generation of students, thus wielding the power to shape the world. Education is a medium through which the ideals, aims, and habits of a group of people are passed on from one generation to the other. With the possession of proper knowledge, many aspiring teachers can employ these theories and put them to practice efficiently.

High demand for teachers will ensure a steady job in this job economy. A person acquiring a Diploma in Elementary Education can be assured of a job position at all times, be it in the government sector or the private sector. It does not limit to just teaching positions though. A whole avenue of careers can be opened up to the person holding this diploma – as a tutor, a content writer, a researcher and more. We’ll surely delve into all these more in detail further in this article. Before we get to that, let’s cover the basics first, shall we? 

Here’s your one-stop guide to everything you want to know about a Diploma in Elementary Education – the course fees, eligibility, admission, course structure, institutions offering this course, salary, benefits, job options – and a whole lot more if you’re thinking about pursuing a D.El.Ed.

This article will cover the following topics in detail –

• What is A Diploma in Elementary Education?
• Why should you pursue a Diploma in Elementary Education?
• Eligibility
• Admission Process
• Course Fees
• Course Structure/Syllabus
• Entrance exams
• Preparation tips for D.El.Ed Entrance exams
• Colleges offering D.El.Ed courses
• Career Prospects after course completion
• Average salary
• Government recruitment tests after D.El.Ed
• Courses that can be pursued after D.El.Ed

What is a Diploma in Elementary Education?

Diploma in Elementary Education or D.El.Ed is a typically 2-year full-time course that prepares teachers and provides them with training to be able to teach in primary or elementary schools. Spread over four semesters, this course provides practical training and classroom learning to aspiring teachers. This diploma can be acquired either as a Regular course through classroom learn or can be facilitated through Distance Education, completion of the course is typically in the same time frame for both methods, depending on the institute.

The syllabus of this course is methodically divided into the content of the subject and categorized divisions. The program and courses provide the students with the opportunity to transition and convert their theoretical knowledge into practice. It encompasses teaching skills, historical knowledge, philosophical theories, psychological patterns and the latest trends in the classroom. This course is specially designed to enhance and develop the students’ disciplines and personal ideologies such as their motivations, dedication, and philosophy concerning their interest in pursuing a career as an elementary teacher.

A person can expect to obtain their diploma in one or two years, depending on the course chosen by the candidate, The costs and fees vary across institutions and facilities offering this course. A person enrolling themselves to receive a diploma in elementary education can expect themselves to learn more about the principles of child development, practice in an educational field, and the role and importance of a teacher in the grooming of students. 

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Why should you pursue a Diploma in Elementary Education?

A Diploma in Elementary Education course can benefit the students in several ways. The practical knowledge imparted in this course assists a student in converting their theoretical knowledge and proficiency into practice. The course aids in getting the teachers ready by communicating and providing them with a broad spectrum of knowledge and subject areas.

These courses may include a variety of classes including sociology, psychology, different methods of teaching, keeping up with the latest trends in classroom teaching like technology and management of students. The graduates have the benefit of attaining qualifications that help further the development and the performance of students in the academic field. There are enormous and invigorating prospects for a person who has procured a diploma in elementary education and is not confined just to teaching in elementary schools. 

There are many advantages to acquiring a diploma in elementary education. People holding this have the benefit of attaining skills that help promote the growth and academic performance of students. A newly qualified graduate who holds a diploma in elementary education is a more sought out candidate and thus, holds high demand for employment, especially those who are specialized in a particular field. A graduate has the potential to earn a high salary with this diploma in hand and can also reap additional benefits such as personal rewards that come with advancing your education. 

Eligibility for obtaining a Diploma in Elementary Education

A student going after a diploma in elementary education must fulfill certain eligibility criteria for admission in the program. The eligibility criteria are more or less the same across all institutions but they may vary across different state boards. Candidates are advised to check the requirements of the state before deciding to apply for this course. The basic eligibility criteria are –

• The minimum eligibility for enrolling in this course requires the applicant to have passed Standard 12 or an equivalent level degree from a recognized board or school.
• The applicant must have obtained a minimum total of 50% in the qualifying exam including the results of all subjects (however, this applies only to general category students).  
• Applicants from the reserved category namely the SC, ST and OBC are provided with a 5% relaxation in their Standard 12 examination marks but in this case, they are required to produce their reservation certificates along with other necessary documents that may be required.
• An applicant from any stream in Class 12 – be it Arts, Commerce or Science – is eligible to enroll for admission in this course.
• The applicant must possess decent communication skills, creative thinking, patience, empathetic attitude, a good grasp of knowledge and a flair and aptitude for teaching.
• Typically the minimum age of an applicant must be 18 years and the maximum age is 35 years. However, the age limit may vary depending on the state. An aspiring applicant can check the requirements of the state before applying for this course.
• Certain institutions and states require the applicants their qualifying entrance examinations, therefore the applicants must clear these exams before applying for a diploma in elementary education.

Teachers who are already working for the government or in private institutions, with no prior training can also apply for this program. 

Admission Process for a Diploma in Elementary Education

An applicant is qualified to proceed through the admission process if they manage to obtain enough merit in the entrance examinations conducted for admission. If the candidate manages to acquire enough merit, they are then considered eligible and called in for further interviews at the institution.

Admission is provided to the applicant based on the aggregate marks obtained by the student in the entrance examinations and the performance of the applicant in the interview round. The applicants who manage to qualify for admission will be required to pay the admission fees, provide the necessary documents and get them verified to secure their seats for a Diploma in Elementary Education program.  

Course Fees for Diploma in Elementary Education   

The fees for a course of the Diploma in Elementary Education program depend on a variety of factors such as the type of institution or college, the merit of the students, the scholarships offered, and the respective state. A private institution is likely to charge more than a government institution, A student obtaining a scholarship would have comparatively less fee. The fees vary based on the college or institution but the average course fee ranges from Rs5,000 to Rs2lakhs per annum. 

The course structure of a Diploma in Elementary Education Program

The curriculum for the Diploma in Elementary Education program focuses on the requirement of the current educational and class trends, including an array of subjects like child psychology, philosophy and the process of learning-reading-writing.

The course structure/syllabus for 2years in a Diploma in Elementary Education program broadly covers the following topics – 

In the First Year, the topics covered in the D.El.Ed program roughly include –

1. Childhood and the Development of Children
2. Contemporary Society
3. Education, Society
4. Towards understanding the self
5. Mathematics education for the primary
6. Proficiency in English
7. Work and Education
8. Pedagogy of English Language

In the Second Year, the topics covered in the D.El.Ed program roughly include – 

1. Cognition, Sociocultural context
2. Teacher identity and School culture
3. Leadership and change
4. Pedagogy of environmental studies
5. Diversity and Education
6. School health and Education
7. Fine arts and Education
8. Internship

Entrance Exams for Diploma in Elementary Education

Certain states and institutes require a candidate applying to obtain a diploma in elementary education to qualify in entrance examinations conducted by the respective state or institute. The syllabus of the entrance examinations generally includes the subjects studied at school. The pattern of the examination involves an objective manner of the written exam that includes Multiple Choice Questions. Basic subjects like Mathematics and Numerical ability, General knowledge, English, teaching abilities, language lest are included in the syllabus of this diploma program. 

The few entrance examinations conducted by some states are – 

• Haryana Board School of Education D.E.D Exam
• D.E.D Common Entrance Test Maharashtra [MSCE]
• Madhya Pradesh Board of Secondary Education D.E.D Exam
• AP DEECET – Andhra Pradesh School of Education Department
• Bihar D.El.Ed JET – Bihar School Examination Board (BSEB)
• SCERT Odisha Entrance Exam – Government of Odisha
• Uttarakhand D.El.Ed – Uttarakhand Board of School Education (UBSE)
• SCERT Assam D.El.Ed PET – State Council of Educational Research and Training, Assam (SCERT, Assam)
• UP BTC D.El.Ed – Uttar Pradesh Parishak Niyamak Pradhikari, Allahabad
• WB D.El.Ed – West Bengal Board of Primary Education

The application fees for the D.El.Ed at various state-level programs typically ranges from Rs250 to Rs600.  

Preparation Tips for D.El.Ed Entrance Examination

Qualifying in the D.El.Ed entrance examination is a critical step if a candidate wishes to obtain a diploma in elementary education. Most institutions admit students based on merit. Therefore it becomes important for an aspirant to prepare well for the entrance examinations. Here we list down a few common preparation tips that an aspirant should follow to secure a seat for the 2-year Diploma in Elementary education program – 

Get Familiar with the Exam pattern

The first vital step for any examination is to familiarize oneself with the pattern and structure of the examination. Research on the syllabus and follow the course structure and exam pattern in detail.

Practice efficient time management

There are a total of three papers in D.El.Ed with spare time in your hands for the preparation. It is advisable to construct a timetable by allotting equal time to each subject. Focus and assign more time to the subject areas you find yourself weak in. Strictly adhere to the timetable for better and fruitful results. 

Sample papers 

Acquire sample papers and papers from the examinations conducted in the previous and earlier years and solve them. Practice on them thoroughly. 

Do paper-wise distribution 

If candidates are planning to appear only for only one paper, then it makes sense to concentrate on the syllabus and exam pattern covered in that particular section. Also, dedicate more time to topics having more weightage in the examination than the ones having less weightage. Study smart, not hard.  

Coaching classes

Coaching classes are the fad in today’s educational world. An aspirant can approach and enrol themselves in coaching classes that will help them concentrate and prepare for the examination with a dedicated outlook, providing study materials as well as the organization in the way they prepare for the examination. 

Minutely Study

Be extremely minute and thorough with the syllabus when you start preparation.

Continuous revision

Avoid leaving preparation for the last minute and cram everything a day before the examination. Start preparing early and do continuous revisions to help you remember the syllabus more easily and to reduce stress. 

Encourage yourself

This is more of a lifestyle tip, but a highly important one. Encourage and motivate yourself and don’t lose hope. Take study breaks and take care of your eating and drinking habits. These habits will help you stay focused and concentrate better on your preparation. 

List of Colleges Offering D.El.Ed Courses

Choosing an institute to acquire a diploma in elementary education is an important decision that must be made by every aspiring candidate. The quality of education impacts on the skills imparted and eventually, acquired by the candidate. The institute, in turn, reflects on the candidate’s abilities, skills and knowledge. Therefore it is important that a prospective candidate thoroughly research the institutes and depending on the factors that suit them best, choose the right institute. 

In India, several colleges and institutions provide a good quality of education in a D.El.Ed program. These institutes are both private and government sectors. The fee structure of private institutes tend to be higher and they mostly admit students directly through the merit system. Government colleges, on the other hand, depend on entrance examinations for D.El.Ed and only then admit students. The fee structure of government colleges is also comparatively low. However, the degrees or diplomas from both government and private institutions are approved by the National Council for Teacher Education (NCTE).

Here are some of the top and popular institutes for a Diploma in Elementary Education – 

• Jamia Millia Islamia University – New Delhi
• Maulana Azad National Urdu University – Hyderabad
• Dr. D Y Patil Vidya Pratishthan Society – Pune
• Bombay Teachers’ Training College – [BTTC] – Mumbai
• Amity University – Noida
• Pacific University – Udaipur
• Green Valley College of Education – Bhopal 
• Dayalbagh Educational Institute – Agra
• Mewar University – Chittorgarh 
• Integral University – Lucknow
• IGNOU – Distance learning in India

Career Prospects after obtaining a Diploma in Elementary Education

There are a lot of avenues that can be opened up for graduates of Diploma in Elementary Education. There are a lot of career prospects for graduates. These prospects are mostly centered around and based in the educational field but very often also venture into other areas such as writing, reviewing, content development, librarian, counselling and more. Predictions have been made about an expansion in the content reviewing and editing fields with an estimate of expansion up to 12% in the next five years.

Similarly, the field of content writing on the internet is said to grow by about 20% in the next five years. These estimates and demands make a diploma in elementary education a highly lucrative option for candidates. After completion of the course, a person holding a diploma in elementary education can apply in government schools, private schools, nursery and daycare centers, practice as an online educator, coaching centers and private tuition classes. 

Candidates can further pursue a Bachelor of Education (B.Ed) degree and undertake a full-time teaching job or take up other examinations that will be mentioned further in the article, 

However, if a candidate doesn’t wish to pursue higher education, they can directly go for a job after completing the course. The various job options and career prospects that can be pursued after a diploma in elementary education are – 

• Teacher – At Private schools, Government schools, Online Education Portals, Private tuition classes, Coaching Center
• Administrator
• Researcher
• Assistant Dean
• School guidance counsellor
• Junior teacher
• Article Writer
• Content Writer
• Content Reviewer
• Career Counselor
• Recordkeeper
• Education developer
• Librarian

D.El.Ed Course salary 

The average starting salary for a graduate of Diploma in Elementary Education is estimated to be between Rs3 to 5lakhs per annum. The structure of salary for most institutions is more or less the same, be it a private institution or a government sector. However, as in most professions, the salary of an individual is largely dependent on their performance, dedication, diligence, skill, knowledge and seniority in the workplace. 

Government Recruitment Tests after Diploma in Elementary Education 

To pursue a career as a teacher in government schools and institutions, the candidate will have to appear and qualify for certain government recruitment tests after completing the course and obtaining their diploma in elementary education. The candidates should apply for some of the most sought after tests after course completion. The recommended tests to be applied for include –

Teacher Eligibility Test (TET)

These are a set of exams that are conducted at national and state levels to determine the eligibility of candidates and eventually, for their appointment as teachers in central or state schools. Lakhs of candidates from different parts of the country give these exams every year, hoping to get recruited in the teaching posts. 

Central Teacher Eligibility Test (CTET)

It is a national level recruitment test that is conducted by the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) twice in a year. Candidates who wish to pursue their career as a teacher for classes 1 to 8 are advised to appear for this exam. 

Courses after D.El.Ed

After the completion of the D.El.Ed course, if the candidate doesn’t wish to go for a job, then candidates can opt for further studies after acquiring a diploma in elementary education. Courses like B.El.Ed and M.Ed can be sought after for teaching jobs in higher secondary education. Here also courses like BTC (Basic training Certificate), NTT (Nursery Teacher Training), DED (Diploma in Education), PTC (Primary teachers Certificate), ETE (Elementary Teacher Education), TTC (Teachers Training Certificate), JBT (Junior Basic Training) that are similar to D.El.Ed courses. 

Some courses providing higher education that can be pursued by candidates after completing their D.El.Ed program are – 

• Bachelor’s in Elementary Education (B.El.Ed)
• Bachelor’s Degree (BA, B.Sc or B.com)
• Bachelor’s in Education (B.Ed)
• Master’s Degree (MA, M.sc or M.Com)
• Master’s of Education (M.Ed)
• Master’s of Philosophy (M.Phil)
• Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

A Diploma in Elementary Education can open the door to many exciting career opportunities. Pursuing this degree will always be a good idea, especially for females or house-wives who want to venture into the teaching field. With a guarantee of a steady income and many career opportunities, this two-year course is a great stepping point for individuals looking to venture into the teaching field. The diploma can also serve as a foundation for a more advanced degree in this field.