Over 1.4 lakh teachers in State to undergo online NCERT courses

 Though the courses were introduced six months ago, the State’s initiative is considered as a part of the Centre’s New Education Policy (NEP), as NCERT added – and would modify – several courses through National Initiative for School Heads’ and Teachers’ Holistic Advancement (NISHTHA) online platform.

 To start with, four online courses, including curriculum and inclusive classrooms, developing personal-social qualities, health and well-being in schools, and integrating gender in the teaching-learning process, would be available for teachers, said a senior official from the School Education Department. The courses have been prepared for teachers handling classes one to eight in government schools, he said, adding

 that online courses for them through DIKSHA portal will be accessible on small mobile phones and minimum or even no internet connectivity.

 Each course varies in time duration where there would be flexibility for teachers to complete the course, he said. “Each course will have learning resources like video, reading material, reflective activities, practice activities, self-assessment, and quiz,” he said. However, though there is a flexibility to pursue the training, teachers should complete the course by the end of November.

 According to the official, all teachers should participate in the course for self-learning and would be certified on the course completion.

 “As a part of NEP, the NCERT will create 13 more courses that will be launched soon. One of the courses is about COVID-19, which would give a comprehensive study on keeping the educational institution safer from the virus to ensure the safety of both teachers and students,” he said. The proposed 13 courses will be launched by mid-November, he said. “Once the pandemic situation gets normalised, the courses will be conducted in face-to-face (FTF) mode. As NCERT courses are available only in English and Hindi, the education authorities in the State will translate it into the local language,” added the official.