Agartala, May 18: The Education Department of Tripura has expanded early childhood education coverage by introducing pre-primary sections in 450 government schools during the current academic year, with officials emphasising the importance of foundational learning in shaping long-term educational outcomes.
The announcement was made during the concluding session of a five-day teacher training workshop organised by the Directorate of Elementary Education in West Tripura district. The programme, which began on May 12, provided training to 100 teachers from 94 newly established government pre-primary schools opened for the 2026–27 academic session.
Addressing participants, Education Secretary Milind Dharmarao Ramteke highlighted the importance of the three-to-six age group in a child’s development, stating that a major portion of brain development is completed during this stage. Referring to the National Education Policy 2020, he said early childhood education has become a crucial component of foundational learning nationwide.
He urged teachers to prioritise creating an environment of trust and comfort in classrooms, saying children learn more effectively when they feel secure and emotionally connected. Ramteke also stressed that the success of the department’s initiatives would depend on the dedication and responsibility of teachers, adding that strong foundational education is essential to achieving the broader vision of a developed India.
The workshop focused on play-based learning approaches designed to strengthen foundational literacy and numeracy among young learners. Participants were trained in classroom engagement techniques and introduced to methods involving low-cost teaching and learning materials.
A special exhibition displaying handmade puppets, classroom aids and other educational materials created by teachers was also organised during the closing programme.
Harshita Biswas said enrolment in government pre-primary schools has increased by nearly 24 to 25 per cent this year compared to the previous year, indicating growing public confidence in the system. She added that similar training programmes would be rolled out across districts in phases to further strengthen classroom delivery.
OSD Abhijit Samajpati said the newly introduced pre-primary sections are intended to ensure access to early education for children across different socio-economic backgrounds. He added that teachers had also been provided with lesson plans, handbooks and workbooks to support classroom activities.
The programme was conducted by six master trainers and six mentor trainers specialising in pre-primary education, while certificates were distributed to participating teachers at the end of the workshop.
