Teachers’ Finland training faces backlash over age cap

A recent announcement regarding the selection of 72 primary schoolteachers from Punjab for training at Turku University, Finland, has sparked objections from several elementary school teachers. The controversy stems from the age cap imposed on teachers applying for the programme.

Recommendation by students’ parents must

• According to the notification issued by the SCERT on September 23, the age limit for primary teachers is set at 43 years, while Central Head Teachers and Head Teachers can apply if they are 48 years or younger
• The application process requires teachers to submit recommendations from parents of 10 former and 10 current students, a criterion that was absent during the selection of principals for the Singapore visit. This condition is seen as a way to gauge the teachers' effectiveness and popularity among students
• The SCERT has implemented these requirements to ensure transparency and avoid allegations of malpractice that arose during previous selection processes

Punjab’s Education Minister Harjot Bains announced that selected primary teachers would undergo training similar to the programme previously implemented for principals, who were sent to Singapore. However, senior primary school teachers have expressed dissatisfaction, citing that the age limit on the e-Punjab portal disqualifies many experienced teachers.

According to the notification issued by the State Council of Educational Research and Training (SCERT) on September 23, the age limit for primary teachers is set at 43 years, while Central Head Teachers and Head Teachers can apply if they are 48 years or younger. The same age cap applies to Block Primary Education Officers. The SCERT has implemented these requirements to ensure transparency and avoid allegations of malpractice that arose during previous selection processes.

The application process requires teachers to submit recommendations from parents of 10 former students and 10 current students, a new criterion absent during the selection of principals for the Singapore programme. This condition is seen as a way to gauge the teachers’ effectiveness and popularity among students.

SCERT Director Amninder Brar defended the age cap, stating that younger teachers, with more years of service remaining, would be a greater long-term asset. She emphasised that these teachers, after receiving specialised training in Finland, would play a crucial role as mentors for other educators. The selected teachers will spend 12-15 days in Finland, focusing on innovative pedagogies and teaching methodologies.

The age cap has caused discontent among senior teachers, who feel sidelined despite their experience. However, SCERT maintains that the guidelines were established to ensure that the selected teachers could offer extended service and contribute significantly to the education system in the future.