Nishant Saxena 

In a first-of-its-kind initiative, experts from the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT), Gandhinagar, are imparting training on effective teaching methods for Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) subjects to teachers of classes 6 to 8 in Uttar Pradesh. The training, which began earlier this week, is being conducted at the State Institute of Educational Management and Training (SIEMAT) in Prayagraj.

The main objective of the training is to equip teachers with experiment-based teaching methodologies, which can help in retaining students’ interest in studies and improving their learning levels. The training will cover all assistant teachers, assistant resource persons (ARPs), and members of state resource groups (SRGs) who teach students of classes 6-8 in government schools in Uttar Pradesh.

According to Dinesh Singh, director of SIEMAT, the aim is to trigger the curiosity and motivation of teachers for experiential STEM education, and the overall goal is to ensure that teachers in Uttar Pradesh develop the motivation and ability to adopt hands-on constructivist learning practices in their classrooms. The focus is to help students develop deep conceptual understanding, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills.

Prabhat Mishra, training in charge at SIEMAT, has been quoted as saying that this is the first time, that experts from IITs are training teachers in the state. A total of 375 teachers, DIET lecturers, ARPs, and SRGs, besides 1,500 teachers of Kasturba Gandhi Balika Vidyalayas (KGBVs) from across the state will be trained as master trainers in phases, and later these master trainers will train all the teachers in their respective districts.

The training, which is being conducted in batches, is for a period of three to four days for KGBV teachers and teachers of government upper primary schools. Studies have shown that hands-on learning in STEM subjects improves children’s conceptual knowledge and understanding of the subject, and also enhances creativity.

The initiative is expected to create a positive impact on the education sector in Uttar Pradesh and help in creating a more innovative and practical learning environment for students.

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