Sri Vijaya Puram, June 9: A five-phase professional development programme involving 865 Primary School Teachers (PSTs) from across the Andaman and Nicobar Islands concluded on June 6, marking one of the largest teacher capacity-building initiatives undertaken by the Department of Education in recent years.
The training programme, organized by the Department of Education, A&N Administration, was designed to strengthen the professional competencies of teachers and equip them with contemporary teaching skills aimed at improving learning outcomes in classrooms across the Islands.
The concluding ceremony of Phase-V was held at the auditorium of Tagore Government College of Education (TGCE), Sri Vijaya Puram, where education officials, trainers and participating teachers reflected on the month-long initiative and its expected impact on school education.
Officials said the programme focused on enhancing classroom effectiveness through innovative pedagogical practices, learner-centred teaching methods, improved classroom management and activity-based learning approaches.
The training forms part of the Administration’s broader efforts to improve educational standards and support continuous professional development among teachers serving in both urban and remote island schools.
Addressing the valedictory function, Director of Education Aditya Sangotra emphasized the critical role teachers play in shaping the future of society and called upon educators to strengthen their engagement with communities while adopting more interactive and activity-based approaches in classrooms.
He urged teachers to move beyond traditional instructional methods and focus on creating learning environments that encourage participation, creativity and critical thinking among students.
According to education officials, the programme was conducted under a module-based Continuous Professional Development (CPD) framework and ran throughout the summer vacation period to ensure that regular classroom teaching was not disrupted.
The training commenced on May 4 and was implemented in five phases, enabling teachers from all nine educational zones of the Union Territory to participate.
The initiative covered a broad range of themes, including innovative teaching methodologies, classroom management strategies, assessment techniques, student engagement practices and the use of learner-centred instructional approaches.
Officials said the programme was developed in response to evolving educational needs and aimed to help teachers adapt to changing classroom dynamics and contemporary learning requirements.
Speaking at the event, Sangeeta Chand, Principal of the State Institute of Education (SIE) and Dr. S.R. District Institute of Education and Training (DIET), Garacharma, highlighted the scale and significance of the programme.
She informed participants that a total of 865 teachers attended the training, making it one of the most extensive professional development exercises conducted for primary educators in the islands.
The sessions were facilitated by resource persons and education experts who guided participants through practical and interactive learning experiences.
Teachers were encouraged to share classroom challenges, discuss best practices and explore innovative methods of engaging students more effectively.
Education officials noted that the programme placed particular emphasis on activity-based learning, a pedagogical approach that encourages students to learn through participation, exploration and hands-on experiences rather than passive memorization.
Such methods, they said, are increasingly recognized as effective tools for improving student understanding, retention and overall academic performance.
The programme also sought to strengthen teachers’ abilities to address diverse learning needs and create inclusive classroom environments that support the holistic development of children.
At the valedictory session, participating teachers shared their experiences and insights gained during the training.
Several participants highlighted the practical value of the sessions, noting that the programme provided new perspectives on lesson planning, student engagement and classroom management.
Teachers from remote educational zones also welcomed the opportunity to interact with colleagues from other parts of the Islands, exchange ideas and learn about successful teaching practices being implemented elsewhere.
Dr. Manjulata Rao, Principal of TGCE, attended the programme as the guest of honour and commended the efforts of teachers who participated during their vacation period to enhance their professional skills.
Education department officials expressed confidence that the knowledge and techniques acquired during the programme would translate into improved classroom experiences and better learning outcomes for students.
The successful completion of all five phases reflects the Administration’s continuing focus on teacher development as a key component of educational reform and quality improvement.
As schools prepare for the new academic cycle, authorities expect the trained teachers to serve as catalysts for innovation and excellence in classrooms across the Andaman and Nicobar Islands.
