Training and re-training of teachers assumes increasing significance on bringing the teachers up to speed with the recent technology induced disruption in the education system, says Monica Malhotra Kandhari
With a rise in digitisation of classrooms and educational contents, the tried and tested traditional process of teaching has suddenly given way to a new process defined by the fast and easy access to supposedly unlimited amount of information.
Apart from dealing with a room full of students with starkly different aptitude and mannerism, the proliferation of the internet and web enabled devices have effectively changed the way classroom operate and how education is imparted by the teachers and consumed by students. Moreover, the learning capability and attention span of each student is not the same making teaching a challenging task. Some would be quick learner while other may struggle in the learning process and the obedient sort to the playful sort.
Thus, in order face newage challenges and harness full potential of technology in education, the teachers need to possess certain skill sets and knowledge to help them understand how and when technology can be fruitfully harnessed. There is an urgent need for teachers to up-skill themselves in terms of technology as well as undertake capacity expansion at the earliest possible.
Today, the term ‘teacher’ is used generally to denote those engaged in academic activities. An inspired and well-informed teacher is the singularly most important factor that can influence learning outcomes in students and their future contribution to the society.
The Government of India has over the years taken several initiatives such as the Right to Education (RTS), Rashtriya Madhyamik Shiksha Abhiyan (RMSA), Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan (SSA) among others to increase school enrollment and achieve universal education in the country. Government has also stressed upon learning outcomes — a major initiative. In the recent past, there is a renewed focus on teacher training by the Ministry of Human Resource Development in an effort to standardise the quality of education at the school level. The National Council of Teacher’s Education (NCTE), a statutory body tasked with overseeing standards, procedures and processes in the education system in the country is preparing to implement stricter quality controls in teachers training and recognition of teacher training institutions across the country. Such renewed focus on teacher’s training from the Government is a clear indication of the importance of teacher training on the quality of education. Training and re-training of teachers assumes increasing significance on bringing the teachers up to speed with the recent technology induced disruption in the education system.
Private players in the education sector can play a great role in augmenting the Government’s efforts towards teacher training and development. Scores of educational companies have made significant investments of time and money in developing updated contents and learning aids for the students. So far a bulk of the investment by private players is towards digitisation and smart classes apart from printing updated editions of books.
In the process, these companies have accumulated significant experience and expertise in content development and enhanced delivery. This knowledge and expertise can be utilised in the development of cutting edge training material and modules for teachers with the same refinement and sophistication seen in students learning materials.
One such initiative is MBD Disha that was launched in collaboration with Imagine Education (UK) in 2015 to provide teacher training in India. MBD Disha training programmes are structured to equip teachers in content and pedagogical competence and their implications to classroom practices. The group has developed training modules on pedagogy, classroom management, and different teaching methods in different subjects. Five to seven sessions are conducted per week, each for four to five hours attended by 30-50 teachers across pan India. These teacher training programmes help in-service teachers weed out gaps in the knowledge of subject content and help them employ a constructive approach to the teaching learning process.
Partnerships and collaboration with Government agencies as well as international educational firms can enhance the quality of modules and training materials. Concerted efforts involving the Government as well as private players are crucial if we are to successfully implement an all-encompassing teachers' training programme to all the school teachers in India.
(The writer is MD, MBD Group)