Nagaland became the second state after Andhra Pradesh, to implement “Teach Tool”, a standardized classroom observation tool designed by the World Bank. The Teach Tool served as a crucial diagnostic instrument to gain a comprehensive understanding of current teaching practices and the quality of education within classrooms.
According to DIPR report, the initiative was part of the NEP-The Lighthouse (NECTAR) Project, with Leadership for Equity (LFE) serving as the technical agency and was supported by department of School Education and World Bank.
The baseline observation data collected through the Teach Tool will be instrumental in designing relevant and effective learning opportunities for teachers in the state.
In order to familiarize with the initiative, a 10-day training programme for master trainers, also known as Trainers of Teachers (ToTs), was held from September 13 to 23 at the Mount Tabor Retreat Centre in Kohima.
The objective of the training was to build internal capacity for monitoring the quality of teacher-student interactions in the classroom.
At the training, 37 Trainers of Teachers (ToTs) affiliated with various Educational Block Resource Centres (EBRCs) under Samagra Shiksha successfully completed the certification process.
In addition, three officials from the Nagaland Core Team, comprised of individuals from the Department of School Education (DoSE) and SCERT, along with three from the NECTAR team, have also qualified and been certified.
Speaking at the valedictory programme, commissioner and secretary of School Education and SCERT, Kevileno Angami congratulated the trainees and urged them to “light the fire of quality teaching and learning practices in Nagaland, creating effective and safe learning spaces for our children.”
Principal director of DoSE and project director of NECTAR also addressed the programme, emphasizing the vital roles of the trainees in achieving the objectives of the Teach Tool to enhance teaching and learning practices across Nagaland, particularly in government schools.
Approximately 400-500 observers from all 16 districts of Nagaland will be trained to use the Teach Tool. They will, in turn, mentor other teachers in the coming years. The insights gathered from the Teach Tool was expected to significantly enhance future Teacher Professional Development (TPD) practices.
The implementation of the Teach Tool was one of several interventions under NEP-The Lighthouse (NECTAR) aimed at improving the quality of education, teaching practices, capacity building, and the learning environment in government schools throughout the state.