The Postgraduate Certificate in Education (PGCE) programme commenced on 1989 in NIE, Samtse. It had been offered for the last eighteen years till 2007. It was a one-year programme, commencing on February and ending in December. The programme was offered to all types of graduates and postgraduates opting for teaching at secondary level.

Initially only eight to twelve graduates used to join the PGCE but from 1996 onwards a large number of graduates started joining it, and afterwards more than 50 graduates used to be admitted every year.

The PGCE programme was changed to PgDE in 2007 after its validation by the Royal University of Bhutan in August 2007. It is a one-year programme from February to December.

This programme consists of six professional development modules, two subjects of specialisation modules, two personal development modules, six-week teaching practice, co-curricular activities, Computer Literacy and Driglam Namza. This programme aims at developing the graduates professionally, academically and personally enabling to teach two subjects of specialisation up to secondary level.

The PgDE is a professional programme, and basically stress is given to methodology and professional development as much as possible. Aims
The main aim of the PgDE Programme is to produce proficient secondary teachers capable of teaching two subjects of specialisation up to secondary level.
Objectives
1. Produce a number of post-graduates teachers capable of teaching two subjects of specialisation up to secondary level,
2. Develop professional maturity in terms of experience, competence and confidence,
3. Develop awareness of the social context in which they belong to and the organization of the institutional systems wherein they will be working as teachers,
4. Promote a desire for continuous professional growth and for in-depth knowledge of the areas of their two teaching subjects and other aspects of education,
5. Take parts in various activities in the schools where thy will be working,
6. Develop academically, professionally and personally and grow similarly in their teaching career; and
7. Apply research-oriented methods in teaching and carry out some researches.
Entry Requirements to PgDE Programme
For entry to the PgDE Course, the candidates must fulfil the following criteria:
A. Eligibility Criteria
The Eligibility Criteria are in the Bhutan Civil Service Rules and Regulations for the Teacher Cadre:
Academic
1. Possess a minimum of Bachelor’s degree awarded by a university or an equivalent institution recognized by the Royal Government of Bhutan (Honours students who have not cleared their final year are regarded as failed and therefore ineligible for the recruitment purpose)
2. Have studied relevant subjects in the Bachelor/s degree programme to be able to teach at least 2 different subjects prescribed for the Bhutanese secondary school/Tertiary education syllabus.
B. Documents
1. Mark sheets and certificates for classes X, XII & Bachelors Degree and other (Original and Photocopies)
2. National Graduate Orientation Programme Certificate
3. Be a Bhutanese/Citizenship card
4. Valid Security Certificate
5. Medical fitness certificate
6. Registration: RCSC Employment Application Form/HRD Form 17 Registration Form for Graduate Teacher Selection Interview
Interview Selection Criteria
A. Academic achievement consisting of 60%
1. Class X marks 10%
2. Class XII marks 10%
3. Bachelor’s degree 40%
4. Bonus marks are to be added to the Bachelor’s marks before for compiling the aggregate for the Bachelors’ degree:

 Candidates with qualification higher than a Bachelor’s degree: 10 marks for master’s degree and 15 marks for Ph.D. degree;
 Candidates with honours in Bachelor’s degree – 5 marks.
NB:usually, selection is conducted by the RCSC and they follow different criteria.

Selection criteria for the successful candidates
1. Have at least 45% aggregate in the Bachelor’ degree
2. Have obtained a minimum of 45% marks in the Bachelor’s degree examination in at least 2 subjects prescribed for the Bhutanese Secondary School syllabus
3. Have obtained at least 40% & 45% in English in X & XII final examinations
4. Character certificate
5. Other certificates/supporting documents
6. Consideration of number of years taken to complete degree programme on case basis
7. Availability and willingness to work in places/schools where we need them
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