A delegation of teachers and education leaders from Glasgow is in Gujarat for a four-day exchange programme aimed at strengthening education and sporting links between Scotland and India ahead of the 2030 Commonwealth Games.
The Glasgow-Gujarat Teacher Mobility Programme, being held from September 21 to 25, is supported by the British Council and brings together educators from both regions to exchange ideas on sports education, inclusion, digital learning, wellbeing and global citizenship. “As Gujarat looks ahead to the opportunities associated with the Commonwealth Games 2030, we recognise the importance of mutual learning and international collaboration in creating a lasting legacy. Claire de Braekeleer, Director, British Council Scotland, said: “The Glasgow-Gujarat Teacher Mobility Programme is a unique opportunity for teachers from Glasgow to share learnings and ideas from the 2026 Commonwealth Games with teachers and educators across the state of Gujarat.
Speaking during his meeting with the delegation, Gujarat Deputy Chief Minister Harsh Sanghavi said: “We are pleased to welcome the Scottish delegation to Gujarat as part of the Scotland–Gujarat Education Commonwealth Dialogue, supported by the British Council. Shannon West, Deputy Director India and Director North India, British Council, said: “This initiative is about bringing the Glasgow and Gujarat education communities into the same conversation – not simply to share what works in one context, but to understand what we can learn from each other. As part of the programme, the delegation met Gujarat Deputy Chief Minister Harsh Sanghavi and is engaging with government officials, school leaders, educators and sports stakeholders across Ahmedabad, Gandhinagar and other parts of the state. Rooted in the shared values of the Commonwealth, this programme provides a platform for educators to connect, exchange ideas and build lasting relationships that inspire innovation, inclusion and learning across our schools. By bringing together the strengths of Scotland and Gujarat, this initiative enables educators to create an opportunity for engaging youth in competitive sports and viewing them as viable for future careers. It also supports in developing their spirit of teamwork, collaboration and resilience for the future. “We also see significant potential to deepen partnerships beyond schools, particularly with leading higher education institutions in the UK that specialise in sports education, sports science, sports management and athlete development. Such collaborations can help strengthen Gujarat’s sporting ecosystem, support skills development among young people and contribute to building a world-class talent pipeline for the future. Together, these exchanges can create enduring educational, cultural and sporting links between the United Kingdom and Gujarat. Sport has the power to do much more than bring people together on the playing field. It can support learning, inclusion, wellbeing and leadership, helping young people develop the skills and confidence they need to thrive in an increasingly inter-connected world. Over four days, the delegation will experience different facets of Gujarat’s education landscape, from classrooms and school communities in Ahmedabad and Aravalli to the technology-led work at Vidya Samiksha Kendra and the state’s growing sports infrastructure.
The delegation will also visit the Veer Savarkar Sports Complex in Ahmedabad, which is expected to be an official venue and key aquatic centre for the 2030 Commonwealth Games. “As Gujarat looks towards the Commonwealth Games in 2030, this is an important moment to explore the education and cultural legacy that can be inspired by large sporting events. The teachers are visiting schools including Thaltej Primary School, M K Patel Primary School, Sanskardham School, a tribal school in Aravalli district and a PM SHRI School. The programme also includes a visit to the Vidya Samiksha Kendra in Gandhinagar, where the delegation will learn about Gujarat’s use of technology and data in school education. The exchanges are intended to explore how major sporting events can create wider opportunities in education, youth development and international collaboration. The programme has also brought together officials including Principal Secretary, Education, Milind S Torawane; Sports Secretary Rahul Gupta; the Municipal Commissioner; and representatives from the British Council, schools, sports institutions and the wider education ecosystem. “At the heart of this programme is a commitment to mutual learning, and we hope the teachers in both Glasgow and Gujarat will gain fresh perspectives and share innovative approaches to benefit their own schools and communities. We hope these conversations will lead to lasting relationships between schools and educators in Glasgow and Gujarat and open up new opportunities for young people to learn from one another. The Glasgow delegation includes Ruth Cockburn of Highpark Primary School; Shaun Donnelly of Haghill Park Primary School; Nadine Fitchie of Cranhill Primary School; Carol Fawkes of Carmyle Primary School; Lewis Pollock of Pollokshields Primary School; James Prentice of St Patrick’s Primary School; and Samir Shah from Education Services Glasgow at Glasgow City Council. The programme is expected to give the visiting teachers a deeper understanding of India’s education and cultural landscape while creating opportunities for professional relationships with their counterparts in Gujarat. The exchanges could also form the basis for future school-level partnerships and wider collaboration across Scotland’s education sector. You use AI every day. Now get your AI Quotient. Take the AIQ test Get the latest Lifestyle News and more. Download the TOI app.