Empowering chemistry teachers through competency based training for effective teaching in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands India

In this article, we discussed the essence and impact of a five-days professional development workshop organized by Regional Institute of Education, National Council of Educational Research & Training (RIE-NCERT) Bhubaneswar for Post Graduate Teachers (PGTs) in chemistry from the Andaman & Nicobar Islands approved by the NCERT, New Delhi under Ministry of Education Government of India. Aligned with the transformative goals of the National Education Policy (NEP 2020) which is a new and reformative policy of India, the program aimed to build teacher capacity in competency-based education and assessment. Sessions conducted by subject-matter experts, covered important topics ranging from IUPAC (International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry) nomenclature, stereochemistry, acid-base theories, thermodynamics, and contemporary evaluation procedures. Flipped learning and inquiry-based instruction were showcased as effective methods for engaging the classroom. Participant feedback measures indicated significant improvement in teacher confidence, instructional competence, and receptivity towards competency-based instruction. This project is a model for potentially expanding similar capacity-building activities to other educationally disadvantaged areas.