ALIGARH July 9: UGC Academic Staff College, Aligarh Muslim University organized a teacher-training workshop under a major research project initiated by the University Grant Commission’s for English teachers of Aligarh District teaching at IX and X level. The workshop was organized in collaboration with the District Inspector of School (DIOS), Aligarh.

The workshop was attended by about 100 teachers from different blocks of Aligarh district comprising of Lodha, Bijauli, Iglaas, Gonda, Akrabad, Tappal, Gangiri, Khair and Chandaus. The training specifically focused on “Professional Development of Secondary School Teachers in Aligarh District teaching at IX-X level as a part of conducting Training Needs Analysis of Secondary School Teachers in Aligarh.

Dr. Dharmendra Sharma, Associate DIOS, Aligarh said that the DIOS will make an effort in future to develop materials and syllabus pertaining to the local needs of the students studying the UP Board curriculum. Mr. Ravindra Singh, DIOS, Aligarh said that such training programs must continue in future to enhance the professional development of teachers. He appreciated the efforts made by the Principal Investigator of the training project, Dr. Raashid Nehal for coming up with the idea of training and bringing qualitative changes in teaching methodology. Mrs. Jayshee Kannan, an ELT consultant, New Delhi remarked that such teacher training programmes should be a part of continuous teacher education programme.

Dr. Raashid Nehal, Principal Investigator, said that such kind of training programme will open new opportunities for professional training and would cater to learner-centred teaching. Dr. Faiz Zaidi conducted the sessions on the language learning strategies and learning styles. Dr. Amirullah Khan highlighted the significance of ‘Pronunciation and English Speaking’. Dr. Ahmad Mujtaba Siddiqui, Secretary, Public School Development Society stressed the need for strengthening the mother tongue for the purpose of teaching English. He also asserted that teacher should develop accountability to their profession that will impact on the professional development and quality learning in the rural areas.