Digital technology and English proficiency training for BMC teachers

Teachers are being trained to make use of advanced technology like Google devices and digital classrooms to match international standards.
In an effort to increase the standard of education in the civic-run schools, the training will focus on vocabulary, grammar, oratory skills, use of phrases, idioms and comprehension. The teachers have been asked to incorporate these techniques into their daily curriculum. 

A BMC teacher said that training in English is important, as it will help boost the confidence of their students, who often lack the same. Lalita Surve, a teacher stated that both students and teachers of municipal schools are treated differently because of their lack of fluency in English. She further said that they come from different economic and cultural backgrounds and as English is not their first language, they are glad to undergo training as it will help them change the way people look at them and their students.    

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In addition to English, the teachers are being trained in interactive learning and digitalisation to enhance classroom teaching. Prakash Charate, Deputy Education Officer said that advanced technology like internet, Google devices and presentations are being used by teachers to explain various lessons to students. 

They have the facility of digital classrooms but teachers are unaware of how to use it so they are being provided by additional training. The authorities expect teachers to go beyond books and syllabus and use life models, experiments and research to enhance classroom teaching.

Teachers revealed they are using social media groups to share lessons and create educational videos to help each other. Devendra Gajanan, a teacher said that they have formed WhatsApp groups where each one of them creates an informative video and shares it with the other members. They also try to learn basic new techniques like using Google forms, online research and YouTube videos to connect better with students.