During a training programme on supporting and identifying zero investment innovations in education, Government teachers from across Jharkhand shared their challenges and experience of working in the remotest areas of the State.
On the concluding day of training session, Government teachers who had undergone leadership training stated that the use of innovative teaching techniques in State-run schools is the need of the hour to improve the quality of education, especially at the interior belts. Around 96 teachers, who are part of the Parivartan Dal (transformation group) formed by the Jharkhand government received training conducted by Sri Aurobindo Society on adopting and sharing best practices in teaching under its project ‘Zero Investment Innovations for Education Initiatives’ (ZIIEI).
The members of Parivartan Dal play a lead role in facilitating other members of the teaching community through sharing some of the best practices and knowledge acquired during special training programme. “The training revived the lost confidence in teachers and made us realize our true worth. We lacked motivation,” Manju Rani, teacher at the Prathmik Vidyalaya in Dhanbad district who attended the training session, said.
Rani stated that besides struggling with limited resources in the Government schools and a lot of paperwork, teachers have to deal with children coming from extremely rural belts whose parents do not value education.
The ZIIEI training sessions addressed these issues and oriented the teachers on how they can incorporate innovations that require no monetary investment in their teaching, making education creative and joyful for students.
The participants received information about techniques on how community participation can be increased in schools, making parents realize the importance of education for their children.
Smith Kumar Soni, teacher at Rajkiya Madhya Vidyalaya in Simdega district, said that these best practices are most needed at the grassroots in the state.
“It is our duty to take these innovations to nook and corner of the state encouraging other teachers to adopt a holistic approach in teaching for the overall development of students,” he said. The teachers were trained to hone their intrinsic leadership skills and identify specific issues in their respective districts which can be solved through zero investment innovations that require no monetary investment.
Some of the innovations include bringing in the concept of children’s parliament, learning through games, concept mapping, future envisioning and community participation in schools to make teaching more joyful and interesting.
Keeping government’s stance, Ranchi DSE, Shivendra Kumar said, “Innovative practices in education are being encouraged by the Department. Steps like identification of one ‘Model School’ in each block are being carried out by the government officials. All these modern schools (From class 1 to Std. 12) will have facilities ranging from Smart Classrooms to well equipped labs.”
The Parivartan Dal includes 4 teachers each from the 24 district of the State. ZIIEI training was conducted in two batches in Ranchi. The programme started from May 14. “This training is designed to work with participants on manifesting their best self in their work, leading through inner guidance, and applying these skills to improve their classrooms and communities,” said Training Head, Sri Aurobindo Society, Ashok Sharma.