Suraasa, a global teacher development ecosystem with 650,000+ educators across 50+ countries and 15,000+ schools, has partnered with Empyrean School in Navi Mumbai to establish the first Teacher Development Centre (TDC) in the country. The centre was inaugurated this week with both institutions’ leadership teams present, while the ribbon-cutting ceremony was followed by speeches from key figures and a walkthrough of the program by Suraasa’s Head of Admissions.

Blended Model Combines Online and In-Person Learning

The TDC is a blended learning model that combines Suraasa’s online training platform with in-person experiences at the school campus; Suraasa has been training teachers globally through its online platform for years. The TDC adds a physical dimension to that model, offering monthly collaborative sessions, classroom practice, and peer learning at a host school — Empyrean School is the first in India to host such a center.

The program includes live virtual classes delivered by educators from the US, UK, UAE, and Lebanon. Teachers who complete the program earn two globally recognized credentials: the Professional Graduate Certificate in Teaching & Learning (PgCTL) and the UK Level 6 Diploma in Teaching, regulated by Ofqual. Suraasa has also worked with governments and education boards to shape teacher qualification policies nationally.

Empyrean School Provides Practical Learning Environment

Empyrean School. Ranked #1 in Navi Mumbai by the Times School Survey 2025, brings the campus, classroom access, and learning culture to the partnership; the school follows an inquiry-based model and offers Cambridge and CBSE pathways from Nursery to Grade 12. Its philosophy emphasizes learning and wellbeing in tandem, making it an ideal environment for teacher training.

The 12-month program combines online learning, live international classes, and mandatory monthly in-person sessions at Empyrean’s campus, and Teachers enrolled in the TDC will also have the opportunity to observe and deliver classes at the school. The program is open to all qualified teachers in Navi Mumbai and surrounding areas, aiming to create a shared hub for teacher growth across the city.

Partnership Aims to Redefine Teacher Training

Soumyabrata Mukherjee. Principal of Empyrean School, emphasized the significance of the partnership. ‘We are very happy that we have this humble opportunity to partner with Suraasa to host a Teacher Development Centre at Empyrean School. It is a big milestone for all of us here at school — To redefine education, we have to reimagine and redefine the role of the teacher. Through this collaboration, we aim to take our people through quality standards and benchmarks, give them training, allow them to learn from people, and have amazing experiences in our classrooms, which will help us fast-track our journey to becoming a developed nation.’

Loulou Hsaiky, Head of Learning & Academics at Suraasa, highlighted the importance of the partnership. ‘At Suraasa, we focus on teacher development and derive our energy from educators who are self-motivated and eager to grow on their own. The decision to host a Teacher Development Center (TDC) at Empyrean shows that it is an institution that deeply cares about the happiness of the teacher community, providing them with tangible opportunities for professional development. We congratulate the school’s leadership for their vision in establishing their school as a place for teachers to grow, develop, and learn alongside one another.’

The TDC is now accepting enrollments for its first cohort, which begins on 11 April 2026. Interested teachers can learn more and apply at https://suraasa.co/t57N before the enrollment deadline of 31 March 2026.

India’s teacher training infrastructure has not kept pace with the rapid changes in the education sector. Most programs focus on training teachers for the current system rather than preparing them for the future. This partnership between Suraasa and Empyrean School aims to bridge that gap by equipping teachers with the skills needed for the evolving educational landscape.

The TDC will provide a unique opportunity for teachers in Navi Mumbai and surrounding areas to access high-quality training and mentorship. The program is designed to raise the standards of the teaching community and promote professional growth.

The initiative is expected to have a significant impact on the local education sector. By providing access to global training standards and hands-on experience in a real classroom environment, the TDC could set a new benchmark for teacher development in India.

As the program moves forward, it will be important to monitor its impact on teacher performance, student outcomes, and the overall quality of education in the region. The success of this initiative could pave the way for similar centers in other parts of the country.

With enrollments now open, the first cohort of teachers will begin the program in April 2026. The TDC represents a significant step forward in the quest to enhance teacher training and support the development of a more skilled and motivated teaching community in India.