Administrator of the Vadodara Municipal Primary Education School Board C V Nisarta told Express Newsline on Tuesday that at a meeting held on Monday the Manchester University representatives decided to train the teachers.

The training, he said, would be part of the University's research project to evaluate the current methods of teaching and introduce new systems, if necessary. To begin with, out of the 107 Gujarati schools, teachers of 25 schools would be trained.

Board chairman Kishan Sheth and other members discussed the project proposal with representatives of the University's Literacy Group Department of International Development, United Kingdom.

Sheth said that the University members would minutely observe the manner in which the teachers impart class I students and then suggest ways for improvement. A Board spokesman said that teaching to these students coming from the lower economic strata of the society was all the more important because they do to have any access to other facilities which students of private schools have.

Nisarta further explained that under the project, the researchers would prepare materials which could be used even in schools at the state-level. The civic school teachers would help in preparing the material, Nisarta said, adding that the training is expected to be completed within a year's time.

He further explained that the researchers would regularly visit the municipal schools to interact with the teachers. If necessary, video cassettes would also be prepared.

Financial cost of the project would be borne by the University and the Department of International Development.

A Board official said this was one of the first projects of its kind in the municipal schools.

At the meeting on Monday, the representatives of the University called upon the Board members to ensure that the students are taught in a much effective manner. In some of the classes, the School Board is already following the system of learning with fun.