By Sudarshan Chhotoray, Bhubaneswar, December 15, 2018: The process of pedagogical improvement through mentoring of teachers and the resultant enhancement in students participation, performance and learning outcomes is closely linked to supportive, collegiate professional activity.

This was revealed at a three-day training workshop organised by the Odisha government managed Directorate of Technical Education and State Council of Educational Research and Training (SCERT), in collaboration with TESS India and Save the Children.

The workshop with the theme ‘Academic Mentoring’ was participated by Teacher Educators representing DIETs, CRCCs, Teachers and Government Officials.

The workshop primarily aimed at orienting the District Institute of Education & Training (DIET) faculties, Cluster Resource Centre Coordinators (CRCC) and resourceful teachers of Odisha on academic support (through mentoring) and to improve classroom practices of elementary and secondary teachers and to achieve transformational change to teacher educators and teachers working in this level in Odisha through the provisions of Open Educational Resources (OER) of Teacher Education through School based Support in India (TESS India)

Besides, the objective of the workshop was to revisit, redefine and clearly delineate the role of DIET and CRC in Academic Mentoring of Teachers in Government Schools. To identify the type of Academic support that should be provided and how it may be delivered in DIET-CRCC and CRCC-Teacher relationship. Identify ways of establishing linkages between the DIET and CRCs, undertake the process of planning the strategy, reflection and documentation of mentoring in each district.

TESS INDIA supported by The Open University, UK and Save the Children is working alongside Government of India and its OER which supports the movement of National Policy into practice in Classroom teaching and Learning.

The workshop was inaugurated by Dr. Nibedita Nayak, Deputy Director-TE & SCERT. The working sessions were facilitated by Prof. Freda Wolfenden, Academic Director-TESS India programme-from open University, U.K.along with Dr. Sandhya Paranjpe- Head, Academics- TESS India, Prof. Mohit Mohan Mohanty, Ex-Director, SIEMAT cum Academic Consultant  for TESS India Programme and Mr. Tapas Kumar Nayak-Assistant Director, TE &SCERT cum State Nodal officer,  TESS India project in Odisha. The  workshop General Manager of Save the Children, Odisha, Mr. Mahadev Hansda and General Manager TESS India project, Mr. Yogesh Jadhav also attended the workshop. The workshop was facilitated by Ms. Subhashree Pradhan-State Lead, TESS India project in Odisha. Representatives  of SAATH team and TATA Trusts were also part of the workshop.