NATIONAL 3 -(Spotlight Weekly)

Teaching The Teachers

TU with the help of Spanish University begins quality training program for primary teachers

By AKSHAY SHARMA

Primary school students : Trained teachers will help

Certificates were awarded to the first batch of trainees who completed the training program organized by ma Antonia Canals Teacher Training Center Spain , the University of Vic and the faculty of education ,Tribhuwan University (TU).

The first Certificate distribution Ceremony of Maria Antonia Canals Teachers Training center was held at Hotel Bluestar on Friday June 29. The trainees of Maria Antonia Canals Teachers training center had undergone training for ten months which comprised of four phases, each with 2.5 months.

The training is given to school teachers in a phase wise manner. The Vice Chancellor of TU Mr. Naveen Parakash Shah , the Rector of the University of Vic , professors of TU and the officials of the University of Vic were present on the occasion to hand out certificates to the B. Ed students who had completed the training.

Four male trainees were awarded scholarship to study in Spain. Two female trainees were awarded full scholarship to study in Spain. The training center was established last year with the joint cooperation of the Faculty of Education ( FoE ) of Tribhuvan University , Nepal and the Faculty Of Education of University of Vic, Spain. The Memorandum of Understanding was signed between the two Universities in January 1991.

"The establishment of this training center could be considered as a symbol of friendship between the educationists of both universities," said professor Prithu Charan Baidya , Dean ,Faculty of Education , TU The center aims at developing quality human resources for early childhood development centers and primary schools specially to facilitate the holistic development of development of 3 - 12 year old children. The training is based on activity - oriented training model. Teachers from both countries took were involved in the training program. The Dean of the faculty of education Professor Prithu Charan Baidya said, "Attempts will be made to facilitate the transfer of Spanish Training expertise to the Nepalese context.

The National Center for Education Development [NCED ) provides in service

teacher training for primary school teachers through its nine Primary teacher training Centers. Some private teacher training centers affiliated to NCED conduct pre service teacher training.

The activity oriented pre service training program could satisfy both public and private schools. And the Maria Antonia canals teachers training center hopes to contribute in producing capable manpower for quality education in pre-primary and primary schools in Nepal.

At present the FAO conducts I.Ed ., B.Ed ., M.Ed., and Ph.D. programs. There are 14 TU constituent campuses and 28 affiliated private campuses which offer education programs. Recently the FAO has opened specialization area for Primary Education and early Childhood Development in its B.Ed. program. It has also been offering new courses on Social Justice Education, Special Education, Non- formal education, Population Education and Environmental Education. Collaborating with other organization FOE hopes to contribute in the development of teacher education and teacher training.

The Co-Director of Maria Antonia Canals Mrs. Vicki Subirana Sherpa said," I

am proud like a mother to witness the graduation of the first batch of trainees. Teachers must be qualified to promote positively influenced education.." She commented on the style of education offered by schools in Katmandu. She added ," Learning does not occur within four walls. Children must have the freedom to evaluate things. Discipline does not come from physical torture."

Vijaya Bahatta a trainee said," It is a first time an NGO has volunteered in such type of training. Education is the backbone of a society and it is a very challenging profession."

The rector of the University of Vic , Mr. Ricard Torremts i Bertrana said," This training program will be a bridge between Catolina , Spain and Nepal. This training is not an exotic affair we see it as an opportunity . We need to provide better education for tomorrows world. This is the first time our University has took part in an exchange program in Asia . Although we have exchange programs in Europe and America. "

The Vice Chancellor of TU Mr. Naveen Prakash Jung Shah stressed on the need to improve quality of education of primary and pre primary schools. By A CORRESPONDENT "The increase of women teacher may result in the rise of girl students," he said.

The training program is expected to benefit the quality of education in the primary schools in the country.