Exact Answer: After about 6 months
Teaching is the noblest job in our society. It is a teacher who molds the future of the world. Hence, the teachers of the nation must be the highly qualified ones. This is why various degrees and qualifications are being made mandatory for an individual to be eligible for teaching. Various nations have various qualifications. These qualifications and degrees are being updated with time to improve the quality of teachers.
PGCE is one such qualification that is given to those individuals who have successfully pursued their post-graduation in the field of education. On achieving this qualification, an individual becomes eligible to work as a teacher in the UK.
How Long After PGCE To Complete NQT?
| Type | Time |
| Induction process of NQT | 6 months |
| Training of NQT | 2 years |
The PGCE is the course in which an individual not only gains the essential teaching skills but also learns to apply them in their work. Along with other studies of university level, the individual also learns the art of teaching. He/she starts practicing teaching from the basic level implementing all the knowledge gained about being a successful teacher. If done on a full-time basis, the course can be completed within one year. But, when done on a part-time basis, the course can be completed within two years.
The individuals wishing to do this course need to have a degree of successful completion of the graduation. If the individual doesn’t have a graduation degree, then he needs to go through another course of conversion which would be completed within 6 months. A person can attain the PGCE degree only to teach on the subject he had completed his graduation. He/she cannot alter the subjects.
During the course, an individual has to gain knowledge on teaching skills and various educational problems. He/she has to submit some assignments which would be used to assess his/her analytical knowledge. After the successful completion of the course, the individual can go for placements. This is the most challenging time in the entire course as the individuals have to complete his university studies and even has to stick to his/her work at the school after university hours.
The PGCE course is of various kinds depending on the level of school the individual can teach professionally, primary, secondary and adult education. The primary course prepares an individual to teach children up to 6 years of age. The secondary course prepares an individual to teach children up to 15 years of age. The adult education course prepares an individual to teach at colleges and indulge in the various programs of adult education. After completion of the PGCE course, one can wait for about 6 months to 1 year before going for NQT.
Why Should One Wait So Long To Complete NQT After PGCE?
NQT is another such qualification that is given to those individuals who have been recently qualified as trainees to teach in schools. It mainly refers to the individuals who have just pursued their QTS, and are enrolled in an induction program after the completion of which they would be legally ready to be teachers. Induction is the preparatory phase when a teacher trainee is trained to kickstart his/her professional career as a teacher. Without the successful completion of the induction program, an individual cannot go for the teaching profession.
The course takes one year to be completed and is divided into three sessions. The induction program done part-time takes long hours for completion as it is mandatory for all the teacher trainees to complete the same amount of hours at the induction program. However, officially, there is no time-bound within which one had to complete the induction program. The daily schedule and life of NQTs are just the same as that of teachers. Thus, the main purpose of the induction program is to provide real-life experience to the trainee and train him/her accordingly.
However, some assignments have to complete as a part of the induction program. The profession of teaching requires an individual who has the power to bring change to society. It is a responsibility, which should be completed with obedience and honesty just as a duty. Hence, proper training of the teachers is the utmost priority. The induction program prepares the NQT for the responsibilities and tasks of a teacher towards the betterment of the nation.
An individual completing PGCE has to stick to other commitments besides placements. Hence, generally, he would not find it favorable to work for so long. This is the reason, it is advised to maintain a time gap of a minimum of 6 months between PGCE and NQT.
Conclusion
Both these qualifications prepare an individual for the future professional life as a teacher. They are not only beneficial for gaining technical skills but also make an individual hardworking, enthusiastic and creative. They are observed at regular intervals to check if they are working properly following all the guidelines of a teacher. Professional achievements of the NQTs are even assessed from time to time.
The job of teaching is the most prioritized one because in the hands of teachers, lies the tomorrow of the nation. Hence, teacher trainees are selected very carefully so that they contribute to the significant development of the nation.