In November 2025, the University of Turku hosted 72 teachers from Punjab, India for the latest round of the Through Joy and Play – Professional Training in Early Childhood and Primary Education training programme.
The visit was part of a wider collaboration launched in September 2024, when the Punjab Government and the University of Turku signed an agreement to strengthen the exchange of educational expertise. The collaboration focuses on sharing Finland’s pedagogical practices, particularly those used in early childhood and primary education. As part of this initiative, teachers from Punjab take part in a professional training programme coordinated by the Global Educational Services of the University of Turku.
The third group of teachers followed two earlier cohorts that visited Turku in late 2024 and in March 2025. The training programme organised for each of the groups emphasises the role of joy, play and active engagement as key elements of learning. Participants combine research-based perspectives with hands-on experiences in Finnish primary schools and early childhood education and care (ECEC) centres.
Anindita Mitra, IAS, Secretary to the Government of Punjab, Department of School Education, reflects on how the collaboration is reshaping teaching and learning in Punjab.
“Our collaboration with the University of Turku marks a transformative era for Punjab’s education system, moving us toward a more child-centric, play-based approach. Seeing our third cohort of teachers engage with Finnish pedagogical excellence reinforces our commitment to integrating joy and active engagement into every classroom across the state,” Mitra explains.
Strengthening skills through observation, guidance and cultural exchange
The training programme introduced the teachers to a broad range of themes central to Finnish pedagogy. It began with a one-week training period in Punjab, followed by two weeks in Finland that included school and ECEC centre visits in Turku and Rauma, offering opportunities to observe classroom activities, explore learning environments and discuss everyday practices with teachers and principals. Lectures by experts from the University of Turku’s Faculty of Education provided insights into foundational literacy, numeracy, inclusive education and linguistically responsive teaching.
According to Anindita Mitra, the training has demonstrated the value of international collaboration for teachers’ professional growth.
“The experiences gained by our teachers in Turku and Rauma are invaluable, providing them with research-based perspectives that translate directly into better learning outcomes for our students. This ongoing professional development initiative is a testament to our vision of equipping Punjab’s educators with global best practices to foster a culture of lifelong learning," Mitra says.
Throughout the visit, each group worked on a project that linked programme themes to their own professional contexts. Mentors from the Faculty of Education supported the groups as they refined their ideas, reviewed approaches during school visits and prepared a final showcase. The teachers also took part in cultural activities, including a study visit to Helsinki and a joint celebration that marked the culmination of their training.
According to Soili Norro, one of the mentors from the University of Turku, the mentoring sessions fostered reciprocal learning.
“The mentoring sessions between the groups and the mentors were mutually fruitful, as they also helped the mentors understand the Indian school context better. The group projects allow teachers reflect on what they have learned and observed during the training, and adapt it to fit their cultural context. As the mentoring continues for three months after the training, it allows a follow-up until a final online report of a concrete development project made by the teachers in their respective schools in Punjab, which from a mentor’s perspective is particularly interesting and rewarding,” Norro explains.
Versatile training with lasting impact
From the University of Turku’s side, Key Account Manager Ari Koski, Coordinator Satu Nurmi and Education Specialist Meri Pihanperä highlight the training programme’s structured and versatile design as central to its success. Participants explore diverse settings, observe real-life practices, and develop projects that allow them to apply their learning in classrooms in Punjab. Mentoring after their return to India helps maximise impact and supports successful implementation in local settings.
Building on the experiences of the three teacher cohorts that have taken part the programme, the University of Turku and its partners in Punjab continue to strengthen the collaboration.
“The partnership between the Department of School Education in Punjab and the University of Turku has matured into a powerful exchange of educational expertise since its launch in 2024. By immersing our educators in the world-renowned Finnish ECEC practices, we are not just training individuals; we are building a sustainable foundation for high-quality primary education in Punjab,” Anindita Mitra concludes.
