Online training for teachers

Shillong, Jan. 23: The government announced today that online training would be introduced from this year to coach in-service teachers.

State education minister Roytre Christopher Laloo said the decision has been made to save the government from paying "double salary".

"Whenever in-service teachers have to be trained for at least two years, officiating teachers have to be appointed in their place. When this happens, we have to pay salary to both teachers, thereby straining our coffers," Laloo said.

He, however, said the online training for in-service teachers would save the government from needlessly paying two people simultaneously. Institutions like Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU) could be utilised as centres to provide the online training, Laloo said.

"The amount which would be saved would then be utilised as a scholarship for those young people who wish to become teachers," Laloo added. The scholarship would be introduced from this year onwards and fresh candidates would have to undergo training at the District Institutes of Education and Training (DIETs).

In 2010, the government had said 22,000 or 65 per cent of teachers in the state were untrained.

The minister also said steps are being taken to oversee the functioning of private institutions, especially those who are obtaining financial aid from the government.