DD Correspondent
Leh, Ladakh (India): The District Institute of Education and Training (DIET), Leh, in collaboration with the 17000ft Foundation, today commenced a three-day Balvatika training programme for teachers from 25 sample schools across Leh district.
Around 60 teachers are participating in the programme, which is being organised in line with the NIPUN Bharat Mission guidelines to strengthen the implementation of contextualised Model Balvatikas and improve early childhood learning outcomes.
The training focuses on creating joyful, activity-based learning environments through the use of child-friendly and indigenous teaching-learning materials (TLMs), including those made from wood, cotton and other locally available resources suitable for young learners.
Inaugurating the programme, DIET Leh Principal S.D. Namgial underscored the importance of early childhood education in building a strong foundation for lifelong learning. He stressed the need for teachers to adopt innovative, play-based and experiential teaching methods that meet the developmental needs of children, and urged participants to effectively apply the skills gained during the training in their schools.
The sessions are being conducted by Archana and her team from the 17000ft Foundation, who are guiding participants on the Model Balvatika framework, activity-based pedagogy, classroom organisation and the effective use of contextualised teaching-learning materials to promote holistic child development.
The three-day programme aims to enhance teachers’ capacities to establish vibrant, child-centric Balvatikas, supporting the objectives of the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 and the NIPUN Bharat Mission in achieving foundational literacy and numeracy across Ladakh.
