Australia, India strengthen pioneer education exchange programs

New Delhi : The Australian High Commission today welcomed 34 Indian and Australian educators to build stronger ties between the Australian and Indian school systems and deepen engagement on two pioneering exchange programs.Funded by the Indian and Australian Governments, with support from the Asia Education Foundation, the Australia-India School Leaders’ Professional Learning (SLPL) Program involves reciprocal visits of principals and teachers, while the inaugural BRIDGE program aims to build teacher capacity in intercultural understanding, establish durable school partnerships and enhance ICT skills to provide students with personal, real-time connection with peers in the region.Australian High Commissioner to India, Patrick Suckling, welcomed the strengthening of partnerships between school leaders, teachers and school communities.”The Australia-India education relationship is strong and vibrant,” Mr Suckling said. “Almost 500 school leaders from both countries have now participated in the SLPL program, with 16 teachers involved in BRIDGE. The relationships forged through these exchange programs help to build enduring ties between our school systems and between our two countries.”