This is the first time in the state’s history that teachers will be sent on foreign learning missions under a government-sponsored programme: Reports
HYDERABAD: The government will send 160 teachers of state-run schools and education officials on an international study tour to Japan, Finland, Singapore and Vietnam next month. This is the first time in the state’s history that teachers will be sent on foreign learning missions under a government-sponsored programme.
Officials said the study tour is part of the government’s broader vision to establish Integrated international skill and knowledge development hubs aimed at upgrading teaching quality, expanding global exposure and blending international practices with local education standards. The initiative, steered by the school education department, seeks to bring Telangana’s school education on par with the best in the world.
According to departmental sources, each of the four selected countries will host one team of educators focusing on specific areas—Finland for student-centred learning, Japan for discipline and innovation, Singapore for technology integration and Vietnam for community-driven educational models. Teachers will attend interactive workshops, visit model schools and engage with policymakers and education experts during these visits.
Eligibility criteria include a minimum of ten years of experience and an upper age limit of 55 years. The response to the call for applications was overwhelming, with hundreds of teachers applying before the October 22 deadline. The final selection will be made transparently by district- and state-level expert committees, with district collectors overseeing the preliminary nominations. Each district will send three outstanding teachers representing categories such as SGT/LP/PET/TGT, SA/PGT, and headmasters or principals from Zilla Parishad, government, model and TREIS institutions.
Officials said the evaluation will consider measurable contributions to school enrolment drives, English communication skills, innovative teaching methods and past recognitions or awards.
“It’s a dream opportunity for government teachers like us,” said Banuka Anuradha, a government high school teacher from Nizamabad, welcoming the government’s decision. “Exposure to Finland or Japan’s classrooms will teach us how to connect with students differently. I am hoping to be selected and bring those ideas back to my own school.”
Education department officials said the insights gained abroad will directly inform upcoming curriculum reforms and teacher-training modules. The government expects the participants to act as “ambassadors of innovation” upon their return. By setting the tone for international collaboration in education, the Telangana government is positioning itself as a leader in educational reform, with a long-term goal of turning government schools into centres of excellence.
