Jharkhand Rolls Out Next-Gen STEM: Teachers Trained for Innovation Labs
Jharkhand is making bold strides in STEM education through the recently concluded iRISE teacher training initiative, a collaboration between the Jharkhand Education Project Council (JEPC) and IISER Pune. The third phase of this program, just conducted across Ranchi, Ramgarh, West Singhbhum, and Palamu districts, focused on modernising how mathematics and science are taught by equipping teachers with hands-on, inquiry-based pedagogical techniques.
The iRISE (Inspiring India in Research, Innovation in STEM Education) Programme stands out for its “Teacher Development Strand,” under which educators receive intensive workshops and practical toolkits to make lessons more engaging. From September 8–10, 2025, teachers attended sessions emphasising model-building, experimental activities, and local relevance in lesson design. State Project Director Shashi Ranjan and quality education officer Dr. Abhinav Kumar urged participants to use STEM labs and newly learned strategies to foster creativity and scientific curiosity among students. The initiative is also crafted to boost participation in nationwide programs like the Inspire Awards–MANAK, encouraging students to innovate at the grassroots level.
Workshops drew praise for their focus on experiential, student-centred learning—moving away from rote memorisation toward real-world application and collaborative discovery. District officials stressed continued support for teachers as they take these new approaches back to the classroom, with iRISE-trained educators expected to serve as “innovation champions” within their communities.
Ultimately, this training is about more than upskilling teachers: it is about transforming school culture, creating a new generation of problem-solvers and tinkerers, and ensuring Jharkhand’s students have the tools and mindsets to compete on a national and global stage as the STEM insight Education of tomorrow.
