Teacher connect programme to bridge school & higher edu gap at Meghalaya varsity

Shillong: The Teacher Connect Programme for school teachers and faculty of higher education institutions in Meghalaya brought together 164 participants, including 92 school teachers and 72 faculty members from higher education institutions across the state at the North-Eastern Hill University (Nehu), Shillong.The programme was organised on March 11-12 by the department of higher and professional education, National Institute of Educational Planning and Administration, New Delhi, in collaboration with the UGC–Malaviya Mission Teacher Training Centre and Nehu.The initiative marked a first-of-its-kind programme in the country, designed to bridge the gap between school education and higher education by connecting educators from the foundational stage of schooling to the higher education level.

“The programme helped teachers better understand their roles and responsibilities in transforming the education system as envisioned under the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020. It sought to sensitise, empower and connect educators, enabling them to learn from each other’s experiences and focused on developing skills and competencies required for educators to excel both personally and professionally within their institutions,” a Nehu statement said.

“The key objectives included sensitising teachers and faculty to incorporate innovative teaching methodologies, familiarising them with emerging trends in pedagogy, promoting the use of ICT tools and digital platforms to enhance student engagement, fostering a culture of research and innovation, and equipping educators with strategies to address challenges in implementing the recommendations of NEP,” the university stated.“The two-day programme incorporated discussions on NEP interventions for teacher and faculty development, particularly in the context of the northeast and Meghalaya. The sessions followed a participatory methodology comprising lecture-cum-discussion formats and group work activities designed to encourage active engagement,” the Nehu said.Meghalaya education minister Lahkmen Rymbui emphasised the pivotal role teachers play in shaping the future of the state’s education system and noted that the programme carried significant potential for meaningful impact and larger aspirations in educational transformation.Sumarbin Umdor, pro-vice-chancellor of Nehu, Shillong Campus, highlighted the importance of integrating technology into teaching and learning processes across all levels of education.Banteilang J Kharshandi, director, directorate of school education and literacy, highlighted the efforts of the Meghalaya govt through the Meghalaya Teacher Training Academy in empowering teachers across the state and bridging the gap between rural and urban educators, thereby fostering a more equitable educational ecosystem.