Dutch Teacher Trainees visit Deepalaya

The visitors from the cool climes of Netherlands were in Delhi when the temperatures were at record highs. Undeterred by the heat, the large team of 57 teacher trainees,13 faculty members, 2 film crew members and 1 volunteer from Netherlands went around Delhi learning about the Indian School System.

Deepalaya was facilitating the program of these visitors who were divided into two groups to optimize their interaction and learning processes.The visit began with a traditional welcome, followed by a brief address by Rtn. T.K. Mathew, Secretary and Chief Executive.A succinct explanation on the Indian System of Education was given to the visitors through a Power Point presentation.In the interactive session that followed, the visiting Teacher Trainees asked a number of questions centering on the role of English language education in schools. A cultural program had been arranged for the visitors and they were thrilled at the sheer variety – a welcome song, a skit on love and peace, choral group songs, rock band songs and a Bangra dance.


Children at the DSSC performing Folk dance
The guests heartily applauded throughout and
returned the favour by staging a puppet show and singing songs.
The basic aim of the visitors in making this trip was to learn at first hand knowledge of the methodologies employed
in the Indian Educational system. We had arranged for an interaction for them with the students of two teacher-training institutes,


Together we learn
The Great Mission Teacher’s Training Institute and Vidya Teacher Training Institute. Each visiting teacher trainee was paired with an Indian and together they developed lesson plans and taught at the four formal schools of Deepalaya for three days. It was an enriching experience for both as they exchanged ideas on how best to teach the students.
The visitors were desirous of seeing different places of worship and were taken to the Akshardham Temple, Birla Mandir, the Bangla Sahib Gurudwara, the ISKON temple and two Churches. They were also taken to Raj Ghat, Qutab Minar and the Taj Mahal and on shopping trips as well. They discussed with Indian youth groups different matters of religion, the relationship between the state and the church etc.
The visitors interacted with the communities from where our school children were coming.


Puppet Show by the Dutch Teacher Trainees
What impressed the visitors was the cheerful attitude of our children and the communities who are much less endowed in terms of the amenities of life compared to their own. They also expressed admiration for the stellar role of Deepalaya in providing opportunities to the under privileged.
Chella Heijsteeg, a member of the group expressed their feelings thus: “I really enjoyed my time with you and I learned a lot. Not only do you provide education to under privileged children but also look after the whole community! Wonderful! I hope to come back soon! Blessings!”