Periodic training programs for teachers are regular training programs conducted by the school for the overall development of teachers and to improve the quality of education. They are often conducted inside educational institutes on behalf of a reputed training agency.
Such training programs are systematic approaches to the professional development of a teacher, and they involve regularly scheduled training sessions or workshops aimed at enhancing a teacher’s knowledge, skills, and abilities.
Periodic training has great importance in the educational sector. It helps the instructors to grow professionally, and personally, along with getting updated with the system. So, it is essential to conduct such training programs regularly and effectively for increasing the efficiency and productivity of tutors.
What are the training programs for teachers?
In India, periodic teacher training programs have gained a considerable reputation in recent years, with school management recognizing the importance of investing in such professional development programs.
Here is a list of some popular periodic training programs launched by the Indian government to improve the quality of education and to focus on continuous learning & improvement:
NISHTHA
NISHTHA (National Initiative for School Heads and Teachers Holistic Advancement) is a teacher training program launched by the ‘Department of School Education and Literacy’ (working under the Ministry of Human Resource Development, under the Indian government), in 2019. The program aims to improve the quality of education in India through Integrated Teacher Training.
The training program focuses on improving the competencies of school teachers and principals. This massive training program motivates teachers to foster critical thinking in students.
The results envisioned by NISHTHA include:
» Enhancing the quality of classroom training in schools
» Providing opportunities for teachers to develop new skills and knowledge
» Improving the overall learning outcomes of students
» Empowering teachers to become mentors and facilitators of learning
» Creation of a safe school environment
DIKSHA
DIKSHA (Digital Infrastructure for Knowledge Sharing) is a digital platform launched by the National Council of Educational Research and Training (Ministry of Education, Govt of India to provide teachers with access to high-quality educational resources. The platform offers a wide range of resources, including textbooks, videos, and interactive learning modules to teachers, students, and parents.
The core building blocks of DIKSHA majorly comprise online courses, interactive quizzes, question banks, chatbots, analytics, and a dashboard. In recent years, the platform has experienced an unprecedented rise in access by learners and teachers across the country.
Samagra Shiksha
Samagra Shiksha is an integrated program launched by the Indian government in 2018 to improve the quality of education in India. The program aims to provide an equitable education to all children, regardless of their social or economic background. It includes three Schemes; Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan (SSA), Rashtriya Madhyamik Shiksha Abhiyan (RMSA), and Teacher Education (TE).
The main outcome expectations of this program include promoting vocationalisation of Education and strengthening Teacher Education Institutions (TEIs).
Major features:
» Treat school education holistically
» Encouraging teachers to provide high-quality education to the students
» Administrative reforms
» Focus on digital education
Essential factors for the teacher training program
There are numerous factors that contribute to the success of these programs, the most relevant ones are listed below:
Develop the basics
The programs should focus on developing the basic and fundamental skills and knowledge to help the tutors effectively teach their subject areas. This basic framework can include training in classroom management, student behavior analysis, lesson planning, instructional strategies, and assessment techniques.
Offer pertinent courses
The teachers shall be trained with relevant training programs that align with the needs of today’s education system, technological integrations, and teacher & student needs. This could include courses in specialized subjects, Ed-tech integration, or working with students with special needs.
Spread out how you deliver
The training program should be delivered in a variety of formats to accommodate different learning styles and schedules. Seminars, webinars, in-person workshops, video conferences, online courses, and on-the-job training are a few examples.
Encourage cooperation
Training programs shall foster a collaborative and encouraging learning environment for teachers to work together, share ideas, provide feedback, and collaborate on lesson plans and instructional strategies.
Provide ongoing assistance
Effective teacher training programs should provide ongoing support to teachers beyond the initial training. This could include follow-up workshops, coaching an
