NCERT Hosts SCERT, SIE Directors' Conference: 30 States and UTs Unite for Quality Education
New Delhi: The National Council for Educational Research and Training (NCERT) has begun its three-day Conference of Directors of State Councils of Educational Research and Training (SCERTs) and State Institutes of Education (SIEs) in New Delhi, gathering education leaders and representatives from 30 States and Union Territories. The gathering focuses on fostering collaboration between NCERT and state-level education institutions, sharing effective practices and addressing challenges in school and teacher education.
It comes against the backdrop of ongoing efforts by states to implement key reforms under the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020. NCERT has historically used this conference as a platform for states and UTs to share achievements, challenges and strategies in school and teacher education.
NCERT Conference Brings 30 States and UTs Together
The three-day conference commenced at NCERT, New Delhi, with Directors of SCERTs, representatives and officials from 30 States and UTs participating in the discussions. The gathering offers a common platform for state education leaders to discuss their on-the-ground experiences, identify areas of further need and learn from initiatives being implemented across different parts of the country.
Rather than viewing educational reform as a one-way process, the conference emphasises sharing of experiences between national and state-level institutions.
Prof Sharad Sinha Sets the Context
Prof. Sharad Sinha, Head, Department of Teacher Education (DTE), NCERT, set the context for the conference and highlighted the importance of the annual meeting in strengthening the teaching and education ecosystem. The conference provides an opportunity for SCERTs and SIEs to exchange their experiences and discuss issues affecting school education and teacher education across different regions.
Such an interaction is particularly relevant given that educational challenges can vary considerably between states and UTs: sharing of locally developed approaches can help institutions identify practices that could be adapted to their own contexts.
NCERT Director Highlights Viksit Bharat 2047 Vision
In the inaugural address, Prof. Dinesh Prasad Saklani, Director, NCERT, highlighted the vision of Viksit Bharat 2047 and emphasised harmony and collective effort in implementing educational initiatives. He also spoke about the implementation of major initiatives under NEP 2020, stressing the importance of collaborative efforts towards nation-building.
Another area highlighted during the inaugural session was NISHTHA, the national initiative associated with teacher professional development. The emphasis on collaboration places teachers and teacher educators at the centre of efforts to strengthen learning outcomes and classroom practices.
Senior NCERT Officials Participate
The conference was also attended by Prof. Amarendra P. Behera, Joint Director, CIET-NCERT, along with Dean (A), Dean (C), heads and faculty members from various NCERT departments. Their participation brings together different areas of NCERT's academic and institutional expertise, allowing state-level representatives to engage with officials and faculty working across education, teacher development and educational technology.
For teachers and teacher educators, such forums can be important as changes in curriculum, pedagogy and educational technology ultimately need to be translated into classroom practice.
Panel Discussions Focus on State-Level Experiences
The first day of the conference witnessed panel discussions on shared initiatives, experiences and challenges from participating States and UTs. The discussions focussed on three broad priorities:
- Strengthening school and teacher education
- Sharing effective practices across States and UTs
- Learning from the experiences of other education systems
The format allows state representatives to move away from policy documents and discuss practical experiences from their respective education systems.
Why SCERT-SIE Collaboration Matters
SCERTs and SIEs play an important role in supporting school and teacher education at the state and UT levels. Their work can include areas such as teacher education, academic support, curriculum-related activities, training and educational research. NCERT has previously described its annual SCERT/SIE directors' conference as a forum for sharing significant achievements, issues and challenges in school and teacher education.
This makes the current conference relevant not only for education administrators but also for teachers, teacher educators, students and families. Stronger academic support systems can have an impact on how curriculum reforms and teacher-development initiatives eventually make their way to classrooms.
Towards More Collaborative Educational Reform
The three-day conference is intended to create a space for continued dialogue between NCERT and state-level institutions. Its focus on shared learning is particularly relevant given the changing priorities of NEP 2020. For students, the real measure of such collaboration will ultimately be visible in classrooms in terms of the quality of teaching, availability of learning resources, teacher preparedness and the ability of education systems to respond to diverse learning needs.
The conference therefore represents more than a meeting of education officials. It is an attempt to connect different parts of India's school education system around a shared objective: building stronger, more collaborative and inclusive approaches to quality education.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What is the NCERT SCERT/SIE Directors’ Conference 2026?
The NCERT SCERT/SIE Directors’ Conference is a platform for education officials from States and Union Territories to discuss school education priorities, share experiences and strengthen coordination for improving the quality of education.
2. When did the NCERT SCERT/SIE Directors’ Conference 2026 begin?
The three-day conference began on September 28, 2026, at the National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT), New Delhi, according to the event information provided.
3. How many States and Union Territories are participating in the conference?
Officials and representatives from 30 States and Union Territories are participating in the conference.
4. Who inaugurated the NCERT SCERT/SIE Directors’ Conference 2026?
The inaugural session featured Prof. Dinesh Prasad Saklani, Director, NCERT, who spoke about collective efforts in strengthening education and the broader vision of Viksit Bharat 2047.
5. What is the role of SCERTs in school education?
State Councils of Educational Research and Training (SCERTs) support school education at the state level through areas such as curriculum development, educational research, teacher training and preparation of learning resources. For example, SCERT Kerala describes curriculum development, textbooks, evaluation strategies, educational technology and teacher education among its functions.
6. What is the role of SIEs in the education system?
State Institutes of Education (SIEs) are state-level academic institutions associated with school education, teacher education and academic support. Their structure and functions can vary across States and Union Territories.
7. What topics are being discussed at the NCERT conference?
The conference focuses on shared education initiatives, experiences and challenges faced by States and Union Territories, along with approaches to strengthen the school education ecosystem and exchange effective practices.
Click Here for More Latest News