Delhi government will send 60 principals of government schools to UK’s Cambridge University for a leadership training programme this month, Deputy Chief Minister and Education Minister Manish Sisodia said on Monday.

The principals will be sent in two batches of 30 each, he said.

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“The first batch will be at Cambridge between October 8 and 17. The training for the next batch will start from October 19 to 28,” he said.

Addressing the principals, Sisodia said Delhi government has increased it teachers’ training budget more than 11 times from Rs 9 crore to Rs 102 crore.

“After improvement in infrastructure in Delhi government schools, people feel that children studying in government schools should get world-class education. An important step in that direction is that teachers should be trained at the best level.

“Teachers should have first-hand experience of best education practices of the world. It is with this perspective that our government stresses teachers’ training at best institutes of the world,” Sisodia said.

He appealed to the principals not to confine themselves to merely training seekers at Cambridge, but as education administrators.

“My suggestion is go with preparation, and be completely focused during your training tenure,” the Deputy Chief Minister said.

“All of you are being sent on tax payers’ money, therefore in return, I expect you to be harbingers of change in making Delhi government schools’ education world class. This will be a great service,” Sisodia said.

He also told the principals that they would get a chance to visit schools there and they should form an understanding about the autonomy and accountability of schools.

“I am in favour of schools getting complete autonomy, which comes with accountability. I would like to know your views about autonomy and accountability there,” Sisodia said.

Mentioning about the School Management Committees (SMCs), Sisodia asked the principals to learn about the concept, role and decision-making abilities of such committees in the United Kingdom.

He also encouraged the teachers and principals to be active on social media platforms.

“Please share your Cambridge experiences on Facebook and Twitter. This will help your colleagues and other teachers across the country to pick up best education practices across the world,” he said.

During the last three-and-a-half years, Delhi government has been sending teachers and principals to the best institutes of the world.

So far, 119 Delhi government school principals have attended the 10-day Inspiring Leadership Improving Performance at Cambridge.