Punjab teachers to train in Finland, but parents, ex-students’ nod must

In a first-of-its-kind initiative aimed at honing teaching and learning skills at the primary school level, the first batch of 72 primary school teachers are set to embark on a three-week training programme at University of Turku, Finland, renowned for primary school teaching techniques.

The Education Department has allocated Rs 60 lakh for the programme. The AAP government in Delhi had also undertaken a similar training programme for its teachers in Finland.

Apart from new skills, the teachers would also get insight into the latest techniques to brush up learning skills of students in their formative years. The memorandum of understanding between the department and the University of Turku is expected to be signed in the coming days in Delhi. Every year, two-three batches of teachers would be sent to Finland in this regard.

So far, about 200 school principals and 100 headmasters have been trained at institutions in Singapore, besides the Indian Institute of Management, Ahmedabad.

“They were middle, high, and secondary schoolteachers, but the Finland programme is for primary teachers, where the foundation of students is laid. For a transparent selection process, we are seeking online applications from the desirous teachers,” said Harjot Bains, Punjab Education Minister.

Keeping in mind that those trained are going to be resource persons, the age limit for the applicants has been fixed — 43 years for a head teacher, and 48 for centre head teachers and Block Primary Education Officers.

Every applicant must have recommendations of 10 parents and 10 former students, and the department would undertake background verification of the recommendations. KM Yadav, Secretary (Education), said those trained would act as resource persons to train other teachers in clusters of eight to 10 schools. “Apart from learning skills, the programme would equip teachers with best practices to make learning for students all the more better and interesting,” he said.

Officials in the State Council of Educational Research and Training (SCERT) said the criteria for applying had been posted on the website of the Education Department. To qualify, teachers must be regular department employees, have a valid passport and should not have any departmental inquiry or chargesheet against them.