Matters India Reporter
Siliguri, 11 August 2026: The Department of Integrated Teacher Education Programme (ITEP) at Salesian College (Autonomous), Siliguri, welcomed its first batch of 18 students — including one from the Philippines — with a five‑day induction programme beginning on August 10.
The program started with half‑hour inaugural prayer service in the college chapel animated by Rector Father Tomy Augustine, who reminded the gathering, “Wisdom will be given to those who seek it from God with a pure heart.”
Principal Father Babu Joseph followed with a message of encouragement, stating, “This pioneering programme is not just about preparing teachers, but about shaping educators who will carry forward Don Bosco’s vision of holistic education.”
Chief guest eminent educationist Nupur Das, Principal Secretary of Undergraduate Studies at the University of North Bengal, recalled her own Loreto College Darjeeling legacy, saying, “It is a badge I wear with much pride, and I remind you of your privilege to be the first batch of ITEP students in the Salesian legacy.”
She added, “ITEP is a timely initiative aligned with NEP 2020, ensuring that future teachers are equipped with both professional competence and social responsibility.”
Head of Department Jagadish Samanta introduced the department, emphasizing its mission to blend academic rigour with practical training.
“Our focus is to nurture reflective practitioners who can adapt to the evolving needs of classrooms and communities,” he said.
Over the week, sessions ranged from Don Bosco’s philosophy of education and the NEP 2020 curriculum framework to mental health awareness, professional ethics, and communication skills.
Students engaged in ice‑breaking activities, group animation, and a campus tour, while practical sessions included yoga and meditation, art and craft, and library orientation.
The induction also emphasized career readiness, with inputs from the Training and Placement Office, ERP orientation, and peer interactions.
The ITEP dual degree undergraduate programme (BA & B.Ed) is offered in four years. In West Bengal, only Salesian College Siliguri and Indian Institute of Kharagpur have been approved to run this flagship NEP 2020 initiative, placing the college among the select pioneers of integrated teacher education in India.