Samagra Shiksha State Project Director (SPD) B. Srinivasa Rao on Friday said that the Government of Andhra Pradesh was sending 29 teachers, who received the State Best Teacher Awards during last year’s Teachers’ Day celebrations, to Finland to expose them to internationally acclaimed teaching methodologies.

Addressing the teachers at the “International Professional Development Programme”, jointly organised by the School Education Department and Samagra Shiksha at Andhra Loyola College in Vijayawada, Mr. Rao said the initiative reflected the government’s commitment to the professional development of teachers in government schools.

Describing teachers as “change agents” capable of transforming Andhra Pradesh’s education system, he urged them to study Finland’s emphasis on foundational and school education, adapt the best practices to local requirements, and implement them under the envisioned “Andhra Model of Education”. He also encouraged the participants to serve as mentors and resource persons for fellow teachers after their return.

“The government believes this initiative will significantly contribute to providing world-class quality education to students across the State,” he said.

The selected teachers are undergoing a three-phase training programme. As part of the first phase, which will continue until June 17, 2026, education experts from the University of Turku, Finland, are imparting training on modern teaching methodologies.

The Finnish team comprises Educational Technology Specialist Ari Koski, Principal (Basic Education) Sari Isokyto-Sinjoi, and Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE) expert Suvi Puolakka. The sessions focus on themes such as ‘Learning through Joy and Play’ and ECCE, introducing innovative pedagogical approaches for foundational learning.

During the second phase, scheduled from August 17 to 26, 2026, the award-winning teachers will undertake an eight-day study visit to the Finnish cities of Turku and Rauma. They will observe classroom practices firsthand through visits to early childhood education centres, pre-schools and teacher-training schools.

After returning from Finland, the teachers will implement school-based projects inspired by their learning. Faculty members from the University of Turku will provide continuous guidance, mentoring and feedback through online sessions to support the effective implementation of these projects.

The programme was attended by V. Satish Reddy, Coordinator of the Supporting Andhra’s Learning Transformation (SALT) project, a major World Bank-backed education initiative being implemented by the Andhra Pradesh Department of School Education, besides officials and staff of SCERT and Samagra Shiksha.