Institutional Strengthening
Program
Transforming SCERTs and DIETs into Centres of Excellence
Building Stronger Education Ecosystems
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Institutional Strengthening Program
The quality of teacher education in India depends not only on teachers but also on the strength of the institutions that prepare and support them. As envisioned in the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, State Councils of Educational Research and Training (SCERTs) and District Institutes of Education and Training (DIETs) play a pivotal role in driving teacher education, research, and school improvement.
However, many of these institutions face challenges, from limited resources and research capacity to gaps in institutional vision and culture.
Sterlite EdIndia Foundation’s Institutional Strengthening Program (ISP) addresses this need head-on by transforming SCERTs and DIETs into Centres of Excellence (CoEs). The program works to build institutional leadership, strengthen pedagogy and research, and create a culture of collaboration, data use, and innovation that leads to sustainable improvement in learning outcomes.
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Teacher Education Program
Teachers are the cornerstone of quality education. Sterlite EdIndia Foundation’s Teacher Education Program (TEP) strengthens India’s teacher preparation system by building the capacity of both pre-service and in-service educators. The program works closely with SCERTs, DIETs, B.Ed. colleges, and education departments to ensure that every teacher entering the classroom is confident, reflective, and future-ready.
Our goal is simple yet profound, to ensure that every child in India learns from a well-prepared, compassionate, and competent teacher.
Data Analytics Support
Program
The Indian education system is one of the largest recipients of data inputs related to various academic and administrative aspects of education. With the advent of digitization, Department of Education has initiated efforts to collect data and record the same.
However, efforts to initiate data analysis have remained nascent. With the advancement in data analytics and technology, administrators can make well-informed academic and administrative decisions.
Given the wealth of data and its potential use, Sterlite EdIndia Foundation has been working with state governments to support them in making informed decisions.
Institutional Strengthening Program
The quality of teacher education in India depends not only on teachers but also on the strength of the institutions that prepare and support them. As envisioned in the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, State Councils of Educational Research and Training (SCERTs) and District Institutes of Education and Training (DIETs) play a pivotal role in driving teacher education, research, and school improvement.
However, many of these institutions face challenges, from limited resources and research capacity to gaps in institutional vision and culture.
Sterlite EdIndia Foundation’s Institutional Strengthening Program (ISP) addresses this need head-on by transforming SCERTs and DIETs into Centres of Excellence (CoEs). The program works to build institutional leadership, strengthen pedagogy and research, and create a culture of collaboration, data use, and innovation that leads to sustainable improvement in learning outcomes.
Our Vision
To enable SCERTs and DIETs to evolve as dynamic Centres of Excellence, capable of shaping future-ready teacher education systems and fostering high-quality classroom learning across India.
Our Mission
To strengthen institutional capacity, empower faculty, and align teacher education systems with the goals of NEP 2020, ensuring that every child in India benefits from a stronger and more responsive education ecosystem.
Why Institutional Strengthening Matters
A well-prepared teacher needs a well-equipped institution. SCERTs and DIETs are responsible for designing curricula, conducting research, and mentoring teachers — yet, many lack adequate systems for planning, innovation, and evaluation.
Through ISP, EdIndia acts as a strategic partner to these institutions, helping them co-create a vision for excellence supported by planning frameworks, faculty training, and digital tools.
This leads to:
- Stronger academic planning and monitoring
- Evidence-based policymaking
- A shift from individual excellence to institutional excellence
- Better alignment with NEP 2020 and the National Professional Standards for Teachers (NPST)
Program Objectives
Co-create a strategic vision and roadmap for SCERTs and DIETs
Align institutional practices with NEP 2020 and NPST
Build faculty capacity in pedagogy, facilitation, and research
Strengthen pre-service and in-service teacher education through experiential and technology-enabled methods
Promote reflective and data-driven practices across teacher education institutes
Foster sustainability and ownership through institutional leadership and collaboration
Our Approach
The Institutional Strengthening Program is designed around six key pillars, inspired by the CoE (Centre of Excellence) framework:
Supporting SCERTs and DIETs in creating functional, inclusive, and technology-enabled environments conducive to research, innovation, and professional learning.
Training State Resource Groups (SRGs), Key Resource Persons (KRPs), and faculty members to become instructional leaders capable of mentoring and facilitating effective teacher education.
Embedding action research and reflective practices within teacher education systems to ensure evidence-based pedagogy and localized academic planning.
Building faculty and institutional capacity to promote inclusive practices, ensuring that learning is accessible and equitable for all.
Integrating skill-based and vocational education in alignment with NEP 2020’s focus on future-ready learning pathways.
Creating platforms for peer learning, cross-DIET collaboration, and state-level knowledge exchange, driving innovation and continuous improvement.
EdIndia Foundation's Role
Under the Institutional Strengthening Program, Sterlite EdIndia Foundation acts as a catalyst and collaborator, helping institutions envision, implement, and sustain their transformation journey.
Our work includes:
- Strategic Planning – Supporting visioning exercises, roadmap design, and goal setting.
- Capacity Building – Conducting workshops and blended learning modules for faculty and SRGs.
- Research Integration – Facilitating academic and action research aligned with NEP 2020.
- Technology Enablement – Introducing digital dashboards, learning tools, and M&E systems.
- Framework and Tools – Co-creating benchmarking frameworks to evaluate institutional performance.
- Sustainability Planning – Building institutional ownership so that the change endures beyond program timelines.
Impact and Reach
State Supported
Rajasthan
Institutions Strengthened
6 CoE DIETs and RSCERT
Participants Trained
507 faculty members and administrators
Workshops Conducted
92 days of structured activities
New Institutional Tools Developed
CoE DIET Planning Framework, RPST Draft, and 24-Session Capacity Module
Impact Vision
To transform SCERTs and DIETs into self-sustaining Centres of Excellence that:
Lead continuous improvement in teacher education
Serve as hubs for educational research and innovation
Foster inclusive, technology-driven, and reflective teaching practices
Support state governments in data-driven planning and policy formulation
Program in Action
In Rajasthan, Sterlite EdIndia Foundation partnered with the Rajasthan State Council of Educational Research and Training (RSCERT), supported by UNICEF and IGNUS, to implement the Institutional Strengthening Program, making it one of the most comprehensive state-level capacity building efforts in India.
Aligned with NEP 2020
The Institutional Strengthening Program is deeply aligned with the NEP 2020’s vision to revitalize teacher education by:
- Strengthening SCERTs and DIETs as apex bodies for teacher training and academic research.
- Promoting reflective practice and continuous professional development.
- Encouraging institutional autonomy and accountability.
- Advancing integration of technology, inclusivity, and vocational education into mainstream teacher preparation.