Programme Management and Teaching Learning Materials for In-Service Training: An Exploration at Elementary School Level in Odisha

This research paper is the result of a study which explores the perception of primary school teachers about program management and the quality of learning materials, training packages and ICT equipment in the in-service training program called 'Samarthya' which is organized by Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan (SSA) in Odisha (Samarthya, 2011-12). To carry out the study, the descriptive survey type research design was adopted. A sample of 420 teachers who were working in primary schools in Odisha was randomly selected and the data was collected through a self-made questionnaire. The results revealed regarding program management, are that the majority of teachers (89.04%) received information about the inservice training program well in advance and also, more than 90% of the teachers reported that the distance between the training centers and their school is reasonable. Regarding the quality of teaching materials for learning, 90% of the teachers reported that there was provision of learning materials and packages including kits. Half of the teachers (50.79%) reported that the language of the training package was easy to understand. Also, most teachers (86.43%) reported the unavailability of math and science kits during training.