B.Ed. (Hons.) Early Childhood Care and Education
The B.Ed. (Hons.) Early Childhood Care and Education degree program offered by the Virtual University of Pakistan. It is designed to provide teachers with a deep and multidimensional understanding of the various aspects of early childhood education. The program covers the first phase of education, which includes playgroup, nursery, Montessori school education, and up to grade 3.
The program’s main objective is to equip teachers with the necessary knowledge and skills to create a nurturing and supportive learning environment for young children. It focuses on developing prospective teachers’ content knowledge and training them in the best ways to foster children’s cognitive, physical, emotional, and social development. This includes teaching strategies, methods, and techniques that are effective for young children.
The B.Ed. (Hons.) The Early Childhood Care and Education program also aims to prepare students to manage early childhood education programs effectively. It provides them with the knowledge and skills necessary to establish and operate their own ECCE schools, should they choose to do so.
The program is designed to ensure that teachers can provide high-quality education and care to young children. It helps them to become competent, confident, and caring professionals who can make a positive difference in the lives of their students.
Objectives
- Acquire a foundational understanding of comprehensive child development and appreciate the importance of providing adequate healthcare and nutrition for children
- Demonstrate proficiency in theoretical and practical knowledge, and possess a thorough understanding of the principles underpinning Early Childhood Care and Education.
- Gain a fundamental understanding of holistic child development and appreciate the critical importance of providing appropriate healthcare and nutrition to children
- Understand the psychological principles that underlie the teaching and learning process for young students
- Adapt teaching methods to cater to the diverse learning needs and styles of students, employing innovative techniques to ensure effective instruction
- Apply pedagogical analysis to ensure effective teaching and learning of elementary school subjects.
Eligibility
12 years of Education, minimum 45% marks, FA/FSC/ICS/I.COM
- Candidates who have completed ‘A’ levels must provide an equivalence certificate from the Inter Board Committee of the Chairman in Islamabad.
- Candidates with less than 45% marks can be admitted after completing the “Zero Semester“.
- Candidates with an Associate Degree in Education (Elementary) may be admitted to the 5th Semester. Still, those who have deficiencies in specific courses, as determined by Virtual University, must complete those courses successfully before registering for the 5th Semester.
Course Exemption
Students who have already completed 14 years of education and those wishing to transfer their credit hours from other universities are eligible for course exemption.
Degree Duration
This program is a four-year full-time course, divided into eight semesters, each semester has at least 18 weeks for teaching and examinations.
Semester 1
| Course Code | Subject Title | Type | Pre Requisite | Credit Hours | Specialization |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
CS101
|
Introduction to Computing |
Required |
|
3 (Theory:3), Practical:0) |
|
|
GSC101
|
General Science |
Required |
|
3 (Theory:3), Practical:0) |
|
|
ENG101 |
English Comprehension |
Required |
|
3 (Theory:3), Practical:0) |
|
|
MTH100 |
General Mathematics |
Required |
|
3 (Theory:3), Practical:0) |
|
|
URD101 |
Urdu |
Required |
|
3 (Theory:3), Practical:0) |
|
|
ETH202 |
Ethics (for Non-Muslims) |
Elective |
|
2 (Theory:2), Practical:0) |
|
|
ISL202 |
Islamic Studies |
Elective |
|
2 (Theory:2), Practical:0) |
|
|
VU001 |
Introduction to e-Learning |
Required |
|
1 (Theory:1), Practical:0) |
|
Semester 2
| Course Code | Subject Title | Type | Pre Requisite | Credit Hours | Specialization |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
ECE101
|
Introduction to Early Childhood Education |
Required |
|
3 (Theory:3), Practical:0) |
|
|
ECE202
|
Physical Development of the Child |
Required |
|
3 (Theory:3), Practical:0) |
|
|
ECE301 |
Psycho Social Development of the Child |
Required |
|
3 (Theory:3), Practical:0) |
|
|
EDUA305 |
Classroom Management for Young Learners |
Required |
|
3 (Theory:3), Practical:0) |
|
|
EDUA411 |
Teaching of Urdu in Early Childhood |
Required |
|
3 (Theory:3), Practical:0) |
|
|
MCM301 |
Communication skills |
Required |
|
3 (Theory:3, Practical:0) |
|
|
PAK302 |
Pakistan Studies |
Required |
|
2 (Theory:2), Practical:0) |
|
Semester 3
| Course Code | Subject Title | Type | Pre Requisite | Credit Hours | Specialization |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
ECE201
|
Language Development of the Child |
Required |
|
3 (Theory:3), Practical:0) |
|
|
EDU306
|
Teaching of Social Studies and Islamiat in Early Years of Education |
Required |
|
3 (Theory:3), Practical:0) |
|
|
EDUA403 |
Teaching of Arts, Crafts & Calligraphy |
Required |
|
3 (Theory:3), Practical:0) |
|
|
EDUA405 |
Assessment and Evaluation in Early Years of Education |
Required |
|
3 (Theory:3), Practical:0) |
|
|
ENG201 |
Business and Technical English Writing |
Required |
|
3 (Theory:3), Practical:0) |
|
|
GSCA201 |
Teaching of General Science in Early Years of Education |
Required |
|
3 (Theory:3, Practical:0) |
|
Semester 4
| Course Code | Subject Title | Type | Pre Requisite | Credit Hours | Specialization |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
ECTA519
|
Teaching Practice - I |
Required |
|
3 (Theory:3), Practical:0) |
|
|
ECTB519
|
Teaching Practice - II |
Required |
|
3 (Theory:3), Practical:0) |
|
|
EDUA430 |
Use of Information and Communication Technology for Early Childhood Education |
Required |
|
3 (Theory:3), Practical:0) |
|
|
EDUA501 |
Role of School, Community & Teacher in Early Years of Education |
Required |
|
3 (Theory:3), Practical:0) |
|
|
EDUA510 |
Teaching of Mathematics in Early Childhood |
Required |
|
3 (Theory:3), Practical:0) |
|
|
EDUA516 |
Teaching of English in Early Childhood |
Required |
|
3 (Theory:3, Practical:0) |
|
Semester 5
| Course Code | Subject Title | Type | Pre Requisite | Credit Hours | Specialization |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
ZOO102
|
Principles of Animal Life-I |
Elective |
|
4 (Theory:3, Practical:1) |
Zoology |
|
ECE204
|
Independence, Self-Management and Ethics in Early Years |
Required |
|
3 (Theory:3), Practical:0) |
|
|
EDU433 |
Professionalism in Teaching |
Required |
|
3 (Theory:3), Practical:0) |
|
|
EDUA402 |
Curriculum Development for Early Childhood Education |
Required |
|
3 (Theory:3), Practical:0) |
|
|
EDUA601 |
Teaching of Mathematics in Early Childhood |
Required |
|
3 (Theory:3), Practical:0) |
|
|
CS201 |
Introduction to Programming |
Elective |
|
3 (Theory:3, Practical:0) |
Computer Science |
|
ECO401 |
Economics |
Elective |
|
3 (Theory:3, Practical:0) |
Economics |
|
HRM624 |
Conflict Management |
Elective |
|
3 (Theory:3, Practical:0) |
Political Science
|
|
MGT111
|
Introduction to Public Administration |
Elective |
|
3 (Theory:3, Practical:0) |
Political Science
|
|
MTH101 |
Calculus And Analytical Geometry |
Elective |
|
3 (Theory:3, Practical:0) |
Mathematics |
Semester 6
| Course Code | Subject Title | Type | Pre Requisite | Credit Hours | Specialization |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
ECE302
|
Education for Sustainable Development in Early Childhood Education |
Required |
|
3 (Theory:3, Practical:0) |
|
|
ECE402
|
Trends and Issues in Early Childhood Education |
Required |
|
3 (Theory:3), Practical:0) |
|
|
EDU407 |
Research Methods in Education |
Required |
|
3 (Theory:3), Practical:0) |
|
|
EDU505 |
Education Development in Pakistan |
Required |
|
3 (Theory:3), Practical:0) |
|
|
CS403 |
Database Management System |
Elective |
|
3 (Theory:3), Practical:0) |
Computer Science |
|
ECO402 |
Microeconomics |
Elective |
|
3 (Theory:3, Practical:0) |
Economics |
|
MTH301 |
Calculus II |
Elective |
|
3 (Theory:3, Practical:0) |
Mathematics |
|
SOC403 |
Gender Studies |
Elective |
|
3 (Theory:3, Practical:0) |
Political Science
|
|
SOC612
|
Political Sociology |
Elective |
|
3 (Theory:3, Practical:0) |
Political Science
|
Semester 7
| Course Code | Subject Title | Type | Pre Requisite | Credit Hours | Specialization |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
ZOO301
|
Animal Form & Function-I |
Elective |
|
4 (Theory:3, Practical:1) |
Zoology |
|
ECE203
|
Children Literature and Educational Games |
Required |
|
3 (Theory:3), Practical:0) |
|
|
EDUA406 |
Reflective Practices and Critical Thinking in Early Years |
Required |
|
3 (Theory:3), Practical:0) |
|
|
EDUA602 |
Leadership and Management of Early Childhood Education Programs |
Required |
|
3 (Theory:3), Practical:0) |
|
|
EDUA631 |
Final Year Project I |
Required |
|
3 (Theory:3), Practical:0) |
|
|
CS504 |
Software Engineering - I |
Elective |
|
3 (Theory:3, Practical:0) |
Computer Science |
|
ECO403 |
Macroeconomics |
Elective |
|
3 (Theory:3, Practical:0) |
Economics |
|
MTH303 |
Mathematical Methods |
Elective |
|
3 (Theory:3, Practical:0) |
Mathematics
|
|
SOC404
|
Pakistani Society and Culture |
Elective |
|
3 (Theory:3, Practical:0) |
Political Science
|
|
SOC601 |
Social Policy and Governance |
Elective |
|
3 (Theory:3, Practical:0) |
Mathematics |
|
SOC616 |
Sociology of Globalization |
Elective |
|
3 (Theory:3, Practical:0) |
Political Science
|
Semester 8
| Course Code | Subject Title | Type | Pre Requisite | Credit Hours | Specialization |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
ECTD520
|
Teaching Practice (Long Term) |
Required |
|
6 (Theory:6, Practical:0) |
|
|
ZOO505
|
Cell and Molecular Biology |
Elective |
|
4 (Theory:3, Practical:1) |
Zoology |
|
ECTC519 |
Teaching Practice - III |
Required |
|
3 (Theory:3), Practical:0) |
|
|
EDUB631 |
Final Year Project II |
Required |
|
3 (Theory:3), Practical:0) |
|
|
CS601 |
Data Communication |
Elective |
|
3 (Theory:3), Practical:0) |
Computer Science
|
|
ECO501 |
Development Economics |
Elective |
|
3 (Theory:3, Practical:0) |
Economics |
|
MTH403 |
Calculus and Analytical Geometry - II |
Elective |
|
3 (Theory:3, Practical:0) |
Mathematics |
Assessment of Study Progress
The evaluation of student’s academic progress is based on continuous semester assessments, including assignments, online quizzes, Graded Discussion Boards (GDBs), and mid-term and final-term exams. The mid and final-term exams are conducted at VU’s designated exam centers and typically account for 80-85% of the total marks for a course.
Teaching Practice
Students must complete the teaching practice of 15 credit hours in the B.Ed. (Hons) programs. It is mandatory that the teaching practice be held in public or private elementary schools and preschools.
Project
Students must complete a Final Year Project of 6 Credit Hours. Students must consult their advisor before selecting a final project. They must submit a written report and may be asked to present it.
Degree Awarded
To be awarded a Bachelor of Science in B.Ed. (Hons.) early childhood care and education, a student must complete at least 145 credit hours of coursework with a minimum Cumulative Grade Point Average (CGPA) of 2.0 out of 4.
Fee Structure
| Degree Program | Admission Fee | Registration Fee | Security Fee | Admission Processing Fee | Semester Enrollment Fee | Per credit hour fee | Fee of Convocation | Fee payable at admission |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
BS |
3,000 |
2,500 |
2,000 |
500 |
1,000 |
935 |
2,000 |
11,905 |
Semester Fee
Semester fee Approximately Rs. 17,000/-
Disclaimer
- The courses are regularly reviewed to ensure they are up-to-date with those taught at top universities, taking into account the needs of local industry and the job market.
- The University may alter its fee structure from time to time