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Thursday, April 16, 2026 3:22 AM

Digital Skills

Delhi Government Reopens SCERT-Led Online Training Programmes for Teachers

The Delhi government has relaunched a series of structured online professional development programmes for teachers in government as well as private schools for the ongoing academic year. The State Council of Educational Research and Training (SCERT) has announced the fresh rollout of NISHTHA (National Initiative for School Heads’ and Teachers’ Holistic Advancement) courses, along with General Continuous Professional Development (CPD) and short-duration nano courses. These programmes are open to teachers, school leaders and teacher educators from government, aided, unaided and private institutions across the capital. As part of the NISHTHA initiative, training modules will focus on Foundational Literacy and Numeracy (FLN) and Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE). The courses will be offered in English, Hindi and Urdu, and are designed to enhance teaching practices at the foundational level in alignment with the National Education Policy (NEP). SCERT stated that the General CPD courses will address a broad spectrum of contemporary and emerging themes, including cyber hygiene, online safety, cyber crime awareness, digital well-being, inclusive education, techno-pedagogy, media literacy, financial security, data privacy, environmental issues such as e-waste, action research methodologies and the use of open educational resources. In addition, nano courses focusing on cyberspace safety and related topics will also be available. Teachers can register for all programmes through the DIKSHA portal, where course content is hosted in digital format. The DIKSHA platform offers a mix of video-based lessons, reading material and assessments, enabling educators to complete the training at their own pace within the stipulated timeframe. SCERT has informed that enrolment for all courses will remain open until March 10, 2026, while participants must complete the courses by March 15, 2026. Teachers and school heads have been advised to follow the schedule strictly, as course links will become inactive after the deadline. The initiative aims to enhance professional competencies among educators and ensure wider access to updated pedagogical and digital skills across Delhi’s school education ecosystem. Source: PTI

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NCERT and Canva Partner to Offer Free Digital Certification Courses for Indian Educators

In a move aimed at empowering educators with 21st-century teaching skills, the National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT) has entered into a strategic partnership with Canva, a global visual communication platform. The collaboration will roll out three self-paced, online certification courses for school teachers across India—completely free of charge. These courses, designed to enhance digital fluency, creative instruction, and collaborative teaching practices, will be hosted on DIKSHA, the Ministry of Education’s flagship digital learning platform. To ensure inclusivity, they will also be televised via PM eVidya’s DTH channels, making the training accessible even in areas with limited or no internet access. The programme will be offered in multiple Indian languages to promote nationwide participation. Teachers participating in the training will explore Canva for Education’s features to create interactive lesson plans, visually engaging presentations, infographics, and a variety of educational content. The programme also includes exposure to collaborative pedagogies and artificial intelligence (AI) tools that can elevate classroom learning. Successful participants will receive joint certification from NCERT and Canva. As per the MoU, Canva will provide complimentary access to its educational suite and contribute to developing customized instructional resources. Meanwhile, NCERT will ensure the content aligns with India’s national curriculum framework and is tailored for regional relevance. This initiative supports the goals outlined in the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, particularly around visual learning, critical thinking, and design-centric pedagogy. Teachers will also receive guidance on leveraging AI tools to boost classroom engagement and optimize lesson delivery. With over 500 integrated educational tools and apps—including games, translation aids, worksheets, and subject-specific infographics—Canva for Education is positioned as a comprehensive platform for modern teaching. Its AI-powered features simplify content creation, enabling teachers to plan and execute lessons more efficiently. Canva’s statement highlighted that its education arm saw remarkable growth in 2024, onboarding over 25 million students and teachers globally, with its total education community surpassing 100 million users. Teacher usage on the platform surged by 50%, while student engagement more than doubled, fueled by tools like Dream Lab that empower educators to create customized visual content. This collaboration marks a significant step towards digital empowerment in Indian classrooms, equipping teachers with the tools and training to thrive in a technology-integrated learning environment. Source: Indian Express

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Majority of HR Teams Unready for 2025 M&A Surge, Says WTW Report

With merger and acquisition (M&A) activity expected to rebound strongly in late 2025, a new survey by WTW highlights growing concerns around HR preparedness in navigating complex deal landscapes. According to the Asia-Pacific-focused report, 54% of organisations expect a rise in M&A activity this year, despite a sluggish start, while only 19% anticipate a decline — signalling a potential late-year acceleration driven by pent-up market momentum. However, the report reveals a significant preparedness gap, as 65% of HR professionals admit they feel underprepared to handle the anticipated wave of deals. Among the top challenges cited are conducting thorough HR due diligence (HRDD), pinpointing critical talent, and aligning workplace cultures post-merger. A notable 78% of companies rank the identification of specialised, non-executive talent as their foremost HRDD priority — a concern that overshadows even leadership retention. In fact, 50% of respondents consider retaining this non-executive workforce as the most vital integration success factor, outpacing the emphasis on executive-level continuity by 21 percentage points. Cultural integration remains another major obstacle. Around 74% of companies outside the US and 54% of those within the US consider cultural alignment the most challenging aspect of M&A, surpassing concerns around technological and operational resources. Looking to the future, HR leaders are increasingly acknowledging the role of emerging technologies. About 65% believe Generative AI will influence M&A processes within the next two years. Yet, widespread adoption remains cautious, with many citing limited practical applications beyond legal assessments and internal communications. The findings underscore the importance of embedding HR early in M&A strategy — particularly as companies use acquisitions to gain access to niche digital and AI talent. Strengthening HR capabilities through foresight and investment could be crucial in preserving long-term deal value amid intensifying talent competition. Source: Economic Times   

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