Primary teachers sign up for training in Cambridge programme

With increasing number of schools opting for Cambridge International Examinations (CIE), more primary grade teachers are being trained to enhance the understanding and application skills of students.

A two-day training began here today and more than 35 primary teachers from schools in Mumbai have registered for a training course on the Cambridge International Primary Programme, hosted by University of Cambridge International Examinations at Dhirubhai Ambani International school here.

"The CIE system (pre-university exam) of education encourages different way of teaching and we examine the students for their understanding and application," Ian Chambers, Regional Manager for South Asia, University of Cambridge told PTI.

The training is led by Kate Ruttle, a UK expert in the Primary Programme, and is aimed at teachers who have recently begun teaching the programme, he said. The Cambridge International Primary Programme is respected worldwide because it provides an internationally benchmarked framework for learning, Chambers said.

The Primary Programme includes progression tests and assessment tools that are popular with teachers. They help teachers to identify childrens strengths and weaknesses so that they know where to direct their support," he said.   There are 230 schools in India following CIE of which 50 are in Mumbai including the Dhirubhai Ambani International school, New Era School, Podar International school and Utpal Sanghvi school.
     
Schools in 156 countries around the globe are following CIE and in Singapore, the entire country follows the cambridge examination system. A rising number of schools in India are implementing the Cambridge International Primary Programme to complement their existing Cambridge programmes, including Cambridge International General Certificate of Secondary Education (IGCSE) and International Advanced and Advanced Subsidiary (A/AS) Level.

The Primary Programme can be run as a stand-alone curriculum, or alongside the national curriculum, and develops children's skills in English, Mathematics and Science, Chambers said. CIE provides face-to-face and online training to teachers in all elements of the curriculum.

Dhirubhai Ambani International School offers the Cambridge International Curriculum to students, from primary level through to Cambridge IGCSE. Their experience of the Cambridge International Primary Programme will enhance the training course, and give participants practical insight into the curriculum, Chambers said. An added benefit of the training is that it provides a forum for teachers from a range of schools to share knowledge, Chambers said.

Dermot Keegan, Head of International Curriculum at Dhirubhai Ambani said, "CIE continues to contribute to the development of education across India through its intensive professional development sessions and the quality of the assessment it provides for schools taking its examinations."

University of Cambridge International Examinations (CIE) is the world's largest provider of international qualifications for 14-19 year olds.

It offers the Cambridge International Curriculum for 5- 19 year olds, professional qualifications for teachers and vocational qualifications for adult learners. CIE qualifications are recognised by universities, educational providers and employers across the world.

It is part of the Cambridge Assessment Group, a not-for-profit organization and part of the University of Cambridge, Chamber added.