Azim Premji Varsity to improve teacher education

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The Azim Premji University is exploring possibilities of cooperation in improving the quality of teacher education in the state, vice-chancellor Anurag Behar said. In an interaction with mediapersons here on Thursday, Behar said that they would hold talks with various government departments, reputed institutions and resource persons in this regard.“We will explore possibilities of academic cooperation in teacher education and development education with institutions such as the Kerala State Higher Education Council and the Centre for Development Studies,” Behar said.Behar termed his first round of discussions with the National Institute of Speech and Hearing (NISH) here as worthwhile. ‘’We have decided to explore the prospects of joining hands in the special education sector,’’ he said.    On the state’s education sector, Behar said: “Working in Kerala would be more easier since the state has got its basics correct. A long history of giving focus to general education has given the state an upper hand when compared to its counterparts. The efforts of organisations such as the Kerala Sasthra Sahitya Parishat are also commendable,” he said.The Azim Premji Foundation, a non-profit organisation set up in 2001, has partnerships with 13 Indian states to improve the quality of elementary education in government-run schools. “Over 2.5 million children benefit from the Foundation’s programmes,” Behar said. The Azim Premji University was set up two years ago aimed at creating professionals in education and allied development areas. The university now offers masters and research programmes in education and development subjects. “We have around 10 malayali students for our MA Development course. We wish more students from the state join our courses which would give them a career connected with nation development,” he said. Behar said that the country was not giving focus to quality programmes and research in the field of education. “Creating quality professionals in education is a must. We are into helping various states in curriculum  formation and capacity building in BEd colleges. An institution for assessment and accreditation for BEd colleges is another plan,” he said.The university will launch several initiatives to create more education and allied development professionals, Behar said.  “We will set up 50 district-level institutions in the field of teacher education and each one will have two schools as part of them. Eight state-level institutions will also be set up,” he said.