Objectives of the study : 1. To forecast the strength of teachers in Primary Schools of selected Tribal districts of Orissa , namely, Koraput, Rayagada, Malkanigiri, and Nawarangpur towards 2010 A.D. 2. To explore the present and future needs for in-service education of primary school teachers of tribal districts of Orissa with special reference to teacher competencies. 3. To make assessment of existing in-service teacher education programme available to the primary school teachers through DIETs in terms of reaction of participant teachers and teacher educators. 4. To explore alternative curriculum framework for in-service teacher education of primary school teachers towards 2010 A.D.

The sample comprised of 400 primary school teachers, 100 from each district, namely, Koraput, Rayagada, Malkangiri and Nowarangpur of Orissa. 50 experts of teacher education in Orissa were selected by purposive selection method.

The proforma, questionnaires, observation schedule, and reaction scale were used for the study.

Trend extrapolation using least square and chi- square were used for data analysis.

1. The study reports that the total intake of teachers for in-service education during 2001-2010 will be approximately 21.17 thousands to 21.80 thousands in the four sample districts as per student population parameter. It is likely to help the planners in planning appropriate inputs needed for in-service teacher education during this decade.  2. The teachers have been reported lacking competencies in many areas, such as, conducting dramatization, adopting project method, constructing appropriate evaluation tools, conducting continuous and comprehensive evaluation, conducting competency based teaching and developing institution based planning. They have been found lacking in the areas of identification of learning needs and interest of tribal students, summarizing lesson, utilization of teaching aids, analyzing text books, motivating students, managing classroom discipline, conducting and involving students in cultural activities, utilization of technique of questioning, recitation of poem, narration of stories, conducting oral drill exercise, problem solving method, group discussion method, participation in social service activities, establishing rapport with the staff, undertaking self evaluation and assigning conduct of survey. Untrained teachers have been reported lacking competencies distinctly in the areas of planning lesson, preparation of teaching aids, utilization of community resources, conducting role play, undertaking multi-grade teaching, providing experience based teaching and establishing rapport with the parents. The teachers have been largely found lacking competencies in the areas of maintaining records and conducting action research. The study has suggested that that the in-service teacher education programme should develop the competencies of the teachers in the required areas. 3.  The reactions of the teachers and experts towards the in-service training programmes for primary school teachers have been reported largely positive.