The National Council for Teacher Education (NCTE), under the direction of the Department of School Education and Literacy (DoSEL), Ministry of Education, Government of India, successfully conducted a five-day virtual orientation program from June 10-14, 2024. This comprehensive initiative targeted over one lakh teachers from PM SHRI schools across 29 States, Union Territories (UTs), Kendriya Vidyalayas (KVS), and Navodaya Vidyalayas (NVS) across the nation.
The sessions aimed at enhancing the capacity of PM SHRI school teachers by equipping them with the knowledge and skills required to implement the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 effectively. For five days, teachers participated in two-hour sessions that provided valuable insights into the National Mission for Mentoring (NMM) and the National Professional Standards for Teachers (NPST). The program’s design ensured that different states and UTs were covered daily, promoting widespread participation and inclusion. Sign language interpreters were engaged throughout the sessions to further inclusivity.
Key Highlights of the Orientation Program
- National Mission for Mentoring (NMM):
- The session on NMM included a detailed presentation and a technical demonstration showcasing the registration process and usage of the NMM portal for mentors and mentees.
- The NMM digital portal was highlighted as a continuous support mechanism, facilitating effective interaction between mentors and mentees, thereby strengthening the mentoring process.
- National Professional Standards for Teachers (NPST):
- The NPST session focused on enhancing teachers’ understanding of performance expectations and improvement strategies as recommended in the NPST Guiding Document.
- The session outlined three core standards, various teacher levels, and the NPST framework aimed at the capacity building of in-service teachers. The information provided was designed to help teachers achieve their professional and personal goals.
Prof. Pankaj Arora, Chairperson of NCTE, and Ms. Kesang Y. Sherpa, Member Secretary of NCTE, played pivotal roles in contextualising the orientation sessions. Their expertise provided the necessary background and understanding of both NPST and NMM, setting the stage for a productive and informative series of sessions for PM SHRI school teachers.
Also read: NCTE organises 2-day capacity building workshop to implement National Mission for Mentoring
The virtual orientation program underscored NCTE’s commitment to supporting the professional growth of PM SHRI school teachers. By providing a deeper understanding of NMM and NPST, the sessions empowered teachers to foster a robust educational foundation for their students. The initiative aligned with the goals of NEP 2020 and set a precedent for future capacity-building endeavours in the Indian education sector.
