Ahmedabad : A delegation of teachers from Glasgow is visiting Gujarat as part of the Glasgow-Gujarat Teacher Mobility Programme, a four-day initiative aimed at strengthening education and sporting connections between Scotland and India ahead of the 2030 Commonwealth Games.
The delegation met Gujarat Deputy Chief Minister Shri Harsh Sanghavi during the programme, which is being held from September 21 to 25. The initiative, supported by the British Council, brings together educators and education leaders from Glasgow and Gujarat to exchange ideas and explore the role of sport and education in learning, inclusion, wellbeing and international collaboration.The programme includes engagements across Ahmedabad, Gandhinagar and the wider Gujarat education ecosystem, with visits to schools and key education and sports institutions.
Glasgow Educators Explore Gujarat’s Education Ecosystem
As part of the programme, the visiting teachers are engaging with schools including Thaltej Primary School, M.K. Patel Primary School, Sanskardham School, a tribal school in Aravalli district and a PM SHRI School. The delegation will also visit the Vidya Samiksha Kendra in Gandhinagar to understand Gujarat’s technology- and data-driven approach to school education. Another key engagement is planned at the Veer Savarkar Sports Complex in Ahmedabad, which is expected to serve as an official venue and key aquatic centre for the 2030 Commonwealth Games.
The programme is providing participants with an opportunity to exchange approaches around sports education, inclusive education, digital learning and global citizenship, while exploring how major sporting events can contribute to long-term educational and cultural partnerships.
Focus on Education, Sports and Youth Development
During the programme, participants have been engaging with British Council representatives, Gujarat government and education officials, school leaders, educators, sports stakeholders and education institutions. The programme also aims to develop sustainable school-to-school connections between Glasgow and Gujarat, enabling educators to share experiences and build professional relationships that can continue beyond the visit.
Speaking during the interaction with the delegation, Shri Harsh Sanghavi, Deputy Chief Minister, Government of Gujarat, 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. 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.”
He added that as Gujarat looks ahead to the opportunities associated with the Commonwealth Games 2030, international collaboration can contribute to creating a lasting legacy through education, youth engagement and sports.
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.”
She highlighted the role of sport beyond competition, including its potential to support learning, inclusion, wellbeing and leadership, while helping young people develop skills and confidence.
Shannon West, Deputy Director India and Director North India, British Council, said the initiative is aimed at bringing the Glasgow and Gujarat education communities into a shared conversation and creating opportunities for mutual learning.
She said the delegation would experience different facets of Gujarat’s education landscape, from schools in Ahmedabad and Aravalli to the technology-led work at Vidya Samiksha Kendra and the state’s developing sports infrastructure.
Glasgow Teachers Participate in Exchange
The visiting 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 educators a deeper understanding of education and culture in India while supporting professional relationships with their counterparts in Gujarat. The British Council and participating stakeholders aim to build on these interactions to develop future education, cultural and sporting collaborations between Glasgow, Gujarat and the wider Scotland-India education ecosystem.