ARCHIVED MEDIA RELEASE
PA/19/2004 18 August 2004
Australia's skills-based teaching attracts Indian school teachers
Twelve teachers from 12 leading schools in Delhi and Ghaziabad celebrated their return from Australia at a function hosted by the Australian High Commission today. The teachers visited Australia as part of an exchange program organised by the Asia Education Foundation (AEF) with support from Australian Education International (AEI) India and the Australia-India Council (AIC).
"This annual exchange program is one of the most popular elements in our vigorous efforts to strengthen the education and training linkages between Australia and India. The teachers clearly enjoy the opportunity to visit Australia and experience first-hand what it has to offer them, personally and professionally," the Australian High Commissioner to India, Ms Penny Wensley AO said.
"Education and training is a major priority for building the Australia-India bilateral relationship. This program brings lasting benefits to both countries," the High Commissioner added.
The teachers were impressed by their visit. Each of them found it a rewarding and learning experience. It was beneficial to both Australian and Indian teachers in learning about each other's peoples, cultures, history, education and society. In addition, it helped each learn new methods of teaching which they hoped to apply in their schools. They found the self-learning environment in Australian schools inspiring.
Ms Vanita Sehgal from Delhi Public School said, "It was really interesting to note that the Australian teachers gave lots of encouragement to their students to think independently and did not influence them with their own opinions." She said that the exchange program has exposed her to a new and dynamic education system.
Mrs Madhu Sharma from St Mary's School praised the scope and depth of the program and the extension of its benefits beyond teaching techniques. "While looking at the relevance of various educational philosophies, the two countries have forged strong friendships which have now permeated to the student level," she said.
The teachers toured several schools and educational agencies in Australia and met the Australian teachers who had visited them in Delhi in January this year under the exchange program ? staying in their homes, getting a taste of Australian family life and spending a few days with them in their classrooms.
One of the important outcomes of the program is the opportunity that it gives teachers in Australia and India to develop curricula about Australia in the participating Indian schools and vice versa. The teachers exchange teaching materials and resources to enrich their school curricula.
The annual Australia-India Teacher Exchange program, which started six years ago, has provided opportunities for around 150 Australian and Indian teachers to learn not only about the curriculum and education systems in each other's countries but also their respective traditions and cultures.
For further details, please contact Ms Anu Jain, Education Promotion Officer, Australian High Commission, New Delhi, Telephone (011) 5149 4360.
Website: http://www.studyinaustralia.com