Bridging the Gap—INSET Teacher Training programme Address Critical Teacher Training Shortfalls in India
Jalandhar, Oct 27 th , 2025: As India’s education system continues its transformation under the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, the demand for continuous teacher training and professional development has never been higher. In Punjab, where about 6,423 teaching posts in government schools are currently vacant 1 , and over 44% of principal positions in senior secondary schools remain unfilled, the need for structured, skill-based upskilling is urgent.
To address this growing demand, the Aditya Birla Education Academy (ABEA) has announced a new batch of its INSET (In-Service Education and Training) Programme — a comprehensive teacher development initiative aimed at equipping educators with the tools, techniques, and mindset to bring NEP’s vision to life.
Punjab’s education ecosystem serves nearly 59 lakh students across 27,000+ schools, yet a significant portion of educators face challenges aligning classroom delivery with 21st-century teaching standards. 2 Recent education surveys reveal that while 88% of teachers in the state recognise the need for digital and competency-
based learning.
In Jalandhar, a key education hub, nearly one in three teachers report struggling to integrate technology and AI tools into classroom instruction. Leadership shortages add to the problem — 44% of senior secondary schools in Punjab currently lack permanent principals, impacting governance, mentorship, and innovation at the school level.
“Teachers are at the heart of NEP 2020’s success. However, without proper upskilling and support, even the best policies cannot be implemented effectively,” said Prodipta Hore, Programme Director at ABEA. “The INSET programme is designed to empower teachers with both the vision and the practical classroom
strategies they need to thrive in a rapidly evolving educational landscape.”
The INSET programme moves beyond theoretical discussion, offering hands-on, research-backed training across a range of modules that address both pedagogical and leadership challenges. The upcoming batch includes modules such as:● Shaping Global Educators: Building 21st-century competencies and global
perspectives.
● Smart Teaching, Learning, and Assessment with AI: Integrating technology and data-driven insights.
● Social-Emotional Learning in Schools: Enhancing student engagement and wellbeing.
● Educational Leadership and School Management: Developing reflective and resilient leaders.
● Inclusive Education and Differentiated Instruction: Addressing diverse learning needs in the classroom.
According to ABEA’s analysis of previous INSET batches, the most preferred modules among educators have been Smart Teaching with AI (34%), Shaping Global Educators (28%), Professional Development and Teacher Growth (16%) and Leadership for Learning (22%) — highlighting educators ; desire for practical, technology-driven teaching strategies, continuous professional development, and effective assessment methods.
By expanding the INSET programme to Punjab and Jalandhar, ABEA aims to make professional development more accessible beyond metro cities, empowering schools to meet NEP benchmarks through sustainable and scalable learning and emphasizing experiential learning and the integration of AI tools in classroom
instruction. The workshops blend in-person and digital sessions, ensuring flexibility for educators from both urban and rural schools.
“ABEA’s goal is simple — to make high-quality teacher training accessible and impactful,” added Mr Hore. “When teachers grow, schools transform, and so does the nation’s learning To promote awareness, ABEA will host a free introductory workshop on November 1, offering educators and school leaders an overview of the INSET programme’s benefits, structure, and impact.
Teachers and school administrators can register for the session and the upcoming INSET batch at https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfLbo2R92iXrf3hzJ-LKrNydIu233SfJUfF1HTL-tzaEUwHEA/viewform
https://www.abea.in/school-services