HRD Minister launches online version of teachers training scheme

NEW DELHI: Union Human Resource Development (HRD) Minister, Ramesh Pokhriya 'Nishank' today virtually launched the online version of 'NISHTHA', a teacher training programme, for 1,200 key resources persons (KRPs) of Andhra Pradesh.

Around 23,000 teachers KRPs identified by state governments and 17.5 lakh teachers and school heads have been trained under the National Initiative for School Heads' and Teachers Holistic Advancement, or NISHTHA, programme through face-to-face mode.

HRD minister Pokhriyal said that for training the remaining 24 lakh teachers and school heads, NISHTHA has been customized for the online mode to improve the learning outcomes.

Pokhriyal said that due to COVID-19 pandemic situation and the lockdown have affected the conduct of this programme in face-to-face mode. As per a MHRD statement, NISHTHA in online mode will be conducted through DIKSHA and NISHTHA portals by the National Council for Educational Research and Training, or NCERT.

Andhra Pradesh group to train online

Andhra Pradesh is the first state for which MHRD is launching online NISHTHA programme. Pokhriyal said: “These resource persons will help in the mentoring of teachers of Andhra Pradesh, who will take on-line NISHTHA training on DIKSHA later on.”

NISHTHA focuses on the holistic development of children and hence includes curriculum and inclusive education health and well-being, personal social qualities, art integrated learning, initiatives in school education, subject-specific pedagogies, ICT in teaching-learning, leadership, pre-school education, pre-vocational education and other aspect of education.

According to the minister, all the modules are centred around learning outcomes and, learner-centred pedagogy. He added that these modules are made interactive with reflective and engaging activities for teachers providing space to educational games, quizzes, etc. for joyful learning by the teachers and school heads, which in turn will motivate teachers to implement this in their classroom for enhancing students’ learning outcomes.