Training teachers for international education

The Indus Training and Research Institute (ITARI) announced a collaboration with Keele University (KU) of UK to launch a professional teachers’ training diploma programme in international education, at a press meet held in Pune recently.

Pro-vice-chancellor in charge of community and partnership at KU, Kevin Mattinson, said, “This is our first collaborative overseas accredited teachers’ certification programme with ITARI in India, as part of our internationalisation programme. KU is ranked as the top university for teachers’ training in the UK. Faculty from the Keele education department will ensure staff development that includes staff-student exchange programmes.”

Also present at the meet were Lt Gen (retd) Arjun Ray (CEO, Indus Trust) and Annette Kratz (head, Centre for International Exchange & Development, KU).

UK’s international organisation for cultural relations and educational opportunities in India, the British Council will be partnering with ITARI in marketing the programme in India, said Ray. “The programme will ensure quality teachers for international schools in India. This is critical for them to embark on a teaching career meeting the standard of international schools. Teachers’ achievements must be ahead of those of students. Moreover, teachers’ reforms must be ahead of education reforms,” he said.

“The model of training and development that the programme involves is based on KU’s multidisciplinary research to benefit the outcome that is conducive to Indian education,” said Mattinson. The Keele Professional Graduate Diploma in International Education (PGDIE) is a full-time one-year professional course, accredited by KU, he added.

“It is a world-class qualification meant for schools affiliated to the International Baccalaureate Organisation (IBO). A thorough training programme, it will include 15 hours of practical training every week,” said Ray.

Talking about the selection criteria for the postgraduate PGDIE programme, Kratz said, “Along with qualifications, academic achievements, aptitude competency, interview skills, those who show potentiality will be selected. The interview is based and judged on 13 individual criteria.”

She also said that the one-year training programme will commence in August at the ITARI centre in Bangalore, including few months of training at the schools in
Hyderabad and Pune.

Talking about further developments in India, Kratz said that KU has plans to start an MA in education and programmes of research.