Raipur, In order to improve the quality of education among the tribal children studying in the Eklavya Model Residential Schools across the State of Chhattisgarh, a 4-day capacity enhancement Program for the Principals of the EklavyaModel Residential School on educational leadership and management and on subject content and pedagogy (Namely English, Hindi, Maths, Science and Social Science) for the teachers was organized at Thakur Pyarelal State Institute of Panchayat and Rural Development, Nimora, Raipur from 9th March to 25th March, 2021.

          Out of the 71 Eklavya Model Residential Schools currently functional in the State of Chhattisgarh, Principals and teachers were invited across 25 schools. The idea behind this was to prepare the current participants as cluster resource trainers for the other remaining Principals and teachers. 

          The vision and belief of ShammiAbidi (IAS) Director, Department of SC and ST Development, Government of Chhattisgarh and continuous support provided by Shri. Pragyan Seth (Deputy Commissioner, EMRS Department of SC and ST Development, Government of Chhattisgarh and co-facilitated by Proteek Banerjee (Consultant to the Director, Department of SC and ST Development, Government of Chhattisgarh) has been the reason for successfully organizing this program. Continuous and relevant teacher capacity enhancement programs have primarily been felt by the officials of the Department of SC and ST Development, Government of Chhattisgarh and it has been realized that this kind of program is just the beginning and a lot of work on teacher education is required in the coming days.

          As most schools have been enrolled under CBSE norms, thus there was a requirement for the teachers and the Principals to enhance their teaching skills and leadership skills.

          A lot of tools and techniques were discussed during the training program may it be regarding learning outcomes to managing their day to day challenges in a more structured and streamlined manner.

          The main objective of teacher education especially in the tribal blocks of Chhattisgarh is to develop a skill to stimulate experience in the teaching practice, under a conducive learning environment, along with materials, resources and more by the creation of a socio-emotional atmosphere. The teacher should develop a capacity to do, observe, infer and enhance their skills on a regular basis in order to associate themselves with the objectives of Education.

          The support provided by the subject specialist master trainers of Azim Premji Foundation; Chhattisgarh has also been immense as they have been working tirelessly in the field of teacher education since a very long time.

Schedule of the Program

          The Capacity Enhancement started from 9th March with the first batch of training was for English and Social Science teachers from 9th to 12th March 2021. The second batch was organized for Hindi and Science teachers from 15th to 18th March 2021. The third batch was organized for Principals and Maths teachers from 22nd to 25th March 2021.

          As a takeaway, A comprehensive and holistic individual teacher development plan is being prepared based on which their challenges in teaching learning processes which would be addressed in a timely manner on a continuous basis.

          In view of the teachers participating, such a structured and wide-ranging event has not been experienced before and congratulated the Department of SC and ST Development. Assurance has been given by the participants that they would definitely work towards the betterment of the Tribal children in improving their skills, values and learning outcomes. Likewise, Chhattisgarh became one of the first states of Country to initiate such an innovative experience for the teachers.