Education
Foreign-Trained Teachers Fuel Punjab’s Education Revolution, Says CM Bhagwant Mann
Chandigarh: In a move that signals the strengthening of education reform in Punjab, Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann on Saturday hailed the contribution of foreign-trained teachers as catalysts in the state’s ongoing “education revolution.” Speaking at a flag-off ceremony in Chandigarh, Mann dispatched a new batch of 72 teachers to Turku, Finland for training in modern pedagogical practices, marking yet another step towards globalising the state’s education system.
According to the Chief Minister, a total of 234 principals and education officers have already undergone a five-day leadership development programme in Singapore, while 152 headmasters and officers have been trained at IIM Ahmedabad, across three batches. The initiative, Mann said, is designed to expose educators to global best practices and bring those methodologies back to their classrooms in Punjab.
“This out-of-the-box idea is giving major thrust to the education revolution in the state by bringing the much-needed qualitative change in the education system,” he said. “These teachers are acting as agents of change, ensuring quality education for our students.”
Mann further explained that teachers for the programme are selected purely on merit, with a unique eligibility condition: they must be recommended by at least 10 students they have taught. This, he noted, ensures that only genuinely deserving and impactful educators get the opportunity to benefit from the exposure.
The programme equips teachers with modern teaching techniques, including student-centric learning, digital integration, critical thinking development, and classroom management strategies. Upon their return, these teachers share their learnings with peers and students, thereby cascading the training across the state’s education ecosystem.
A National Model in the Making?
Punjab’s approach to foreign teacher training programmes may well serve as a template for other Indian states. Much like student exchange programmes that help pupils gain global exposure, a teacher or faculty exchange programme could enrich teaching methods and uplift educational standards across the country.
Introducing cross-cultural learning for teachers can lead to better understanding of global educational trends and foster innovation in curriculum and teaching methodologies. By encouraging other state governments to adopt similar strategies, India can empower its teaching workforce and help meet the goals of the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, which strongly emphasises professional development for educators.
As India continues to navigate the challenges of 21st-century learning, investing in teachers is key to shaping future-ready learners. Punjab’s efforts underline the transformative power of global exposure and the ripple effect well-trained teachers can create in society.
News Source- PTI
