Maharashtra government has taken a crucial decision to set up Training Institute to provide training in the field of vocational education and skill development to the newly recruited teachers and professors in universities and colleges under the jurisdiction of the higher and technical education department. This is necessitated as there has been rising demand from the industry for skilled manpower and it will be possible if the teachers and professors are trained in this regard. The state higher and technical education department has issued a notification in this regard. The proposed Training Institute will develop courses to upgrade professional eligibility of professors and teachers from universities and affiliated colleges. Further, the Institute will develop Massive Online Open Courses in local languages and suggest changes in training courses. The Institute will put in place a network of trained and experienced professors and teachers to propagate new training methods across the state and also develop a professional standard for the associate professors. Former Vice-Chancellor of the Nanded and Lucknow Universities Dr SB Nimse said in today's educational scenario it is important to have sufficient skill knowledge in addition to theoretical knowledge.'' However, skills are ever-changing therefore teachers need to be trained periodically so that they can adapt to the changing skills. Teachers below 50 years age should be concentrated for training,'' he told DNA. Fact File A nine-member committee chaired by the additional chief secretary of the higher and technical education department has been formed for the establishment of Training Institute The Institute will put in place a network of trained professors to propagate new training methods across the state and also develop a professional standard for the associate professors According to the notification, a nine-member committee chaired by the additional chief secretary of the higher and technical education department has been formed for the establishment of Training Institute and take necessary administrative decisions for its smooth functioning. Former Vice-Chancellor of Mumbai University Dr Bhalchandra Mungekar observed that apparently these are the lofty objectives but they amount to putting cart before the horse. Teachers need upgradation of training in the subjects and courses which they teach or should be teaching soon. ''Though giving that kind of training is welcome, it needs to restructure the syllabi being taught in the universities. Further, there is a system in place in the form of National Council of Education, Research and Training which is the apex institute catering to the needs of teachers across the country. Thus I doubt such hasty step by the state government will serve any worthwhile purpose,'' he opined.

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