Victoria is reaching out to forge stronger educational bonds with India, a move initiated by the Allan Labor Government. Minister for Education Ben Carroll announced a program today that will see 12 Victorian school principals heading to India for a 10-day immersive experience. This is all part of the 2023 Women in School Leadership (WISL) professional learning initiative.
The Victorian principals won’t just be there to sip chai and admire the Taj Mahal. These women will roll up their sleeves and dive deep into the Indian educational system. Working alongside their Indian counterparts, they’ll engage in a series of workshops honing their leadership abilities, cultural intelligence, and grasp of education policy. Moreover, they’ll be observing the Indian approach to student learning, engagement and wellbeing during their school placements.
But the exchange isn’t all one-sided. The principals are expected to bring back fresh insights and teaching methods to implement in Victoria’s multicultural classrooms. After all, education isn’t just about what’s taught in classrooms; it’s also about how our future leaders perceive the world around them. Having educators who are sensitive to cultural nuances can only enrich the educational experience for students.
The delegates will also make their presence felt at the DIDAC Conference in Bengaluru, Asia’s largest exhibition for teaching and skills. Here, they’ll join in on discussions about women in leadership roles and the potential of educational technology to enhance student wellbeing.
WISL, launched in 2019, is a facet of the broader Victoria’s India Strategy: Our Shared Future. This initiative is working on multiple fronts to solidify the relationship between Victorian and Indian schools. And this isn’t a one-off event; an inbound delegation of 12 Indian school principals will visit Victoria in May 2024 to continue this fruitful exchange.
Apart from the leadership exchange, Victoria is also investing $3.5 million to promote the study of Indian languages like Hindi and Punjabi in local schools. Three schools located in Melbourne’s west, north, and south-eastern suburbs will initiate language programs starting from 2025. These aren’t just token offerings; they are rigorous programs intended to bring students up to VCE level proficiency. The programs will not only benefit those of Indian descent but are open to all students enrolled in these schools.
Once these language programs are up and running, they’ll serve as models for other schools across the state. The objective? To boost the number of Victorian students learning Hindi and Punjabi. This is more than just an academic exercise; it’s about strengthening cultural links and fostering a richer, more diverse learning environment.
Minister Ben Carroll emphasized that this initiative provides an incredible chance for some of Victoria’s best educators to collaborate on a global scale. He also stressed that offering Hindi and Punjabi courses at VCE level will “build cross-cultural ties and connect local students with the rich heritage of India.”
Ingrid Stitt, Minister for Multicultural Affairs, summed it up best: the goal is to make sure Victoria continues to lead in educational quality while also embracing the cultural diversity that makes the state a fantastic place to live.
As the saying goes, the world is a classroom. And right now, Victoria is looking to expand its horizons all the way to India. It’s not just about forging partnerships; it’s about sharing perspectives, methodologies, and ultimately, a vision for a better educational future.
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The Victorian Government strengthens educational ties with India through a leadership exchange program, language initiatives, & a commitment to cultural diversity. 12 Victorian school principals heading to India. 🇦🇺🇮🇳📚 #TheIndianSunhttps://t.co/k1Oq1ngjCy
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