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COL-CEMCA and CIET-NCERT Conducted Online Training on AI for School Educators

Aligned with the vision of NEP 2020, which emphasises the integration of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in education, COL-CEMCA organised a five-day online training programme titled "AI in Education" in collaboration with the Central Institute of Educational Technology (CIET) under the National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT), New Delhi, India. 

The training aimed to empower educators with a deep understanding of AI's role in modern education and its practical applications. The key objectives of the training were to make educators comprehend the significance of AI in contemporary education, and examine its potential scope for teaching and learning. In addition, it focused on developing skills to integrate AI tools into classroom instruction; exploring AI-driven content generation for educational purposes, and generative AI applications in teaching and learning; identifying and utilising AI-powered tools to enhance student engagement and outcomes; and fostering innovative pedagogical approaches to address diverse learning needs. 

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National Consultation Advances Teacher-in-the-Loop AI Initiative in India

The Commonwealth Educational Media Centre for Asia (COL-CEMCA), the Asian regional centre of the Commonwealth of Learning (COL), hosted a significant national consultation on the Teacher-in-the-Loop AI project’s India chapter on 25 November 2024 in New Delhi, India. Held in collaboration with the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) and the National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT), the initiative seeks to empower secondary school educators to harness Artificial Intelligence (AI) for designing personalised learning aids tailored to individual student needs. 

The event, attended by over 50 participants, predominantly subject teachers and education experts, focused on leveraging AI to enhance Grade 9 mathematics instruction. The consultation marked a critical step in promoting the development of teacher-led Open Educational Resources (OERs) to benefit the broader educational community. 

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Addressing Learning Disabilities in the Maldives through Capacity Building for Inclusive Education

The Commonwealth Educational Media Centre for Asia (COL-CEMCA), in collaboration with the Maldives' Ministry of Education and ChangeInkk Foundation, India, organised a webinar titled "Building Capacities of Policymakers and Teachers on Inclusion of Children with Learning Disabilities in Schools in the Maldives." The event aimed to enhance awareness, reduce stigma, and promote support for students with dyslexia and specific learning disabilities (SLDs) to create a more inclusive education system.

Welcoming the esteemed panellists and participants, Dr B. Shadrach, Director, COL-CEMCA, congratulated the Government of the Maldives for establishing the Department of Inclusive Education, reflecting its commitment to persons with disabilities. He informed that COL-CEMCA and ChangeInkk Foundation, in partnership with the Ministry of Education, Government of India, have launched video tutorials to train educators in supporting learners with SLDs. These can be adapted by the Maldives as per their requirements. He concluded by emphasising that mainstreaming SLD in education requires the creation of necessary systems at the micro, meso and macro levels. 

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NSOU and UOU Launch Online Faculty Development Programme on Outcome-Based Curriculum and Digital Tools

Netaji Subhas Open University (NSOU), West Bengal, in collaboration with Uttarakhand Open University (UOU), India, inaugurated a national-level, week-long Online Faculty Development Programme (FDP) titled, “Strategies for Developing Outcome-Based Curriculum and Utilising Digital Tools in Education,” on 11 November 2024. The initiative, designed to equip educators with skills in outcome-based curriculum development and digital tool utilisation, marks a significant step towards modernising India’s educational framework.

The event’s inaugural session featured distinguished speakers including Dr B. Shadrach, Director of the Commonwealth Educational Media Centre for Asia (COL-CEMCA), who served as the Chief Guest. Dr Shadrach commended the collaboration between NSOU and UOU, calling it a “pioneering model for online faculty development among open universities.” He highlighted the relevance of Outcome-Based Education (OBE) in alignment with India’s National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, which advocates for learner-centred curricula, interdisciplinary studies, and 21st-century skill development. Dr Shadrach stressed the importance of clearly defined learning outcomes and innovative assessment methods that leverage digital tools, ultimately aiming to foster a supportive and inclusive educational environment.

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Strengthening Capacities of Policymakers and Teachers for Inclusive Education in Sri Lanka

On 16 October 2024, the Commonwealth Educational Media Centre for Asia (COL-CEMCA), in collaboration with Sri Lanka’s Ministry of Education (MOE) and the ChangeInkk Foundation, India, organised a webinar on ‘Building Capacities of Policymakers and Teachers on Inclusion of Children with Learning Disabilities in Schools in Sri Lanka’. The event aimed to raise awareness, reduce stigma, and enhance support for students with dyslexia and specific learning disabilities (SLDs), promoting a more inclusive education system.

In his welcome remarks, Dr B. Shadrach, Director, COL-CEMCA, highlighted Sri Lanka's inclusive education plan (2019-2030), which focuses on accessibility, inclusive curricula, and teacher training. He posited that despite significant progress, challenges are apparent in areas like infrastructure and teacher preparedness, which are also corroborated by academic research in Sri Lanka. Dr Shadrach stressed the need for technological tools, teacher training, and continued collaboration to advance education for students with SLDs.

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