ARCHIVED MEDIA RELEASE
PA/15/07 29 August 2007
Indian teachers impressed with Australian teaching
Another group of Indian teachers, who toured Australia in June this year as part of the Australia Education International’s (AEI) teachers’ exchange program, have returned with experiences they hope to implement in their schools.
At a reception hosted by the Australian High Commission in New Delhi, the participants shared their experiences and learning outcomes gained from their tour.
“I am pleased that teachers from India got a flavour of teaching practices in a country with varied multicultural identities. And India being a similarly vast society, I am sure that these experiences will prove to be useful for the teachers,” said Professor John Webb, Counsellor, Education, Science and Training, Australian High Commission.
“The teachers who join this exchange program bring rich experiences to share with their students and fellow teachers, providing them knowledge beyond textbooks and the routine classroom chores”.
"Australia is fast becoming the preferred destination for higher education for Indian students, and such exchanges can help students interested in Australian education know more about our teaching systems through their teachers at an early stage in life, helping them make career choices more easily", added Professor Webb.
Under the exchange program this year, 10 teachers from Delhi visited Australia in June. At the presentation, the teachers discussed the learning outcomes of their visit to Australia, the similarities and differences between the education systems of the two countries, and things they would like incorporated into the Indian system.
The teachers also attended a two-day professional development workshop delivered by the Australian Council for Educational Research (ACER) that focused on using thinking tools to enhance learning and the use of assessment rubrics.
Based on their participation at the workshop, the group will be organising similar sessions in India with the assistance of the Australian Education International (AEI). Workshops will include topics on life skills and parent involvement, assessment rubrics, and on reading and thinking skills.
Sharing her experiences from the visit, Ms Rashmi Virmani (The Banyan Tree School) said, “The visit helped me understand that learning through multicultural experiences adds a new dimension to educational goals. Impressed by the innovation and sense of purpose in the Australian school system, I bring back many ideas which I will be implementing in my School”
Another participant, Ms Suman Takru (DPS – R K Puram) added, “Technology is more advanced in Australia. There are fewer students in classrooms but we as teachers share the same dream of moulding children into responsible global citizens. This is being done in Australian schools through not just academics but practical activities as well such as city surveys, hands on experience in zoos etc.”
The teachers toured several schools and educational institutions across Australia. The group stayed with families of Australian teachers and also joined them in their classrooms.
Running successfully for the past nine years, the exchange program has involved over 200 Indian teachers. The exchange program also supports developing curricula about India in the participating Australian schools and vice versa. At the end of the program, the teachers bring back teaching material and resources to aid them to incorporate features of Australian teaching systems in their respective school curricula.
The exchange program is organised by the Australian Education International in association with the Asia Education Foundation, Melbourne and funded by the Australia- India Council (AIC).
For further details, please contact Ms Anu Jain, Education Promotion Officer, Australian High Commission, New Delhi, on 4149 4360.