Centre of Excellence / ERTDU

Learning. Researching. Reflecting. Evolving.

Since 1999, Mathakondapalli Model School has continued to evolve with one constant purpose: to understand learning better and help teachers teach better. ERTDU, the Educational Research, Training & Development Unit, is how that purpose becomes practice.

Since 1999

About ERTDU

From policy to practice. From research to the classroom. From experience to improvement.

ERTDU strengthens this journey through educational research, teacher training, mentoring, curriculum and pedagogical development, action research and professional learning.

It provides a space for teachers to question, explore, reflect, share and improve, while keeping pace with evolving educational thought, national policies and curriculum frameworks.

Teacher Mentoring Action Research Curriculum Development Educational Research
What ERTDU Works On

Six Areas of Focus

From mentoring teachers to studying classroom practice, ERTDU's work spans the six areas below.

1

Teacher Development: mentoring, training, workshops, professional learning and reflective practice that enable teachers to continually strengthen their craft.

2

Scaffolding & Learning Support: helping teachers understand learner needs and design appropriate support that gradually builds confidence and independence.

3

Action Research: turning classroom questions into structured inquiry: trying, observing, reflecting and improving.

4

Curriculum & Pedagogy: exploring effective approaches to curriculum implementation, experiential learning, project-based learning, competency development and assessment.

5

Classroom Practice: using observation, dialogue and reflection to understand what helps children learn more meaningfully.

6

Educational Research: studying developments in pedagogy, curriculum, assessment and educational practice to inform the school's continuing growth.

Policy Into Practice

Keeping pace with educational change

ERTDU supports the school in understanding and responding to NEP 2020, National Curriculum Frameworks, CBSE guidelines and evolving educational practices.

Rather than viewing policy as simply a set of requirements, we look at the thinking behind the frameworks and consider how it can meaningfully strengthen teaching and learning at MMS.

NEP 2020 National Curriculum Frameworks CBSE Guidelines
AMPS TEACON 2026 · Chennai · 31 Oct to 1 Nov 2026

MMS at AMPS TEACON 2026

Mathakondapalli Model School took part in AMPS TEACON 2026, Tamil Nadu’s Triennial Premier Schools Summit (Expo, Awards & Conclave), at Chennai Trade Centre. Our students and teachers shared what MMS has learned from project-based, hands-on learning aligned with NEP 2020 and NCF-SE 2023, extending a hand to help schools grow the way education is meant to.

Stall C-20 received a special mention in the AMPS group, and many visitors told us they were inspired by what our students showed.

NEP 2020 Aligned NCF-SE 2023 Student-led Chennai
AMPS TEACON 2026, Tamil Nadu's technical premier schools summit, Expo, Awards and Conclave. Visit the MMS stall C-20 at Chennai Trade Centre on 31 October to 1 November 2026 for personalised learning for a brighter future.

AMPS TEACON 2026

Dates: 31 October to 1 November 2026

Venue: Chennai Trade Centre, Chennai

MMS stall: C-20 (The NEST Lab)

Details: For more information, please contact MMS.

AMPS TEACON 2026 · Highlights

Recognition and Visitors

Besides the stall, MMS teachers attended the conclave sessions and the school was recognised at the awards.

Awards received

MMS at the AMPS Awards

Best Principal Award: Mr. Joseph Jayaraj

Best Sports School Award: received by PE teacher Mr. Vishwanathan

Best Play School Award: received by Ms. Veena Chukka

Chief Guest Mr. U. Sagayam presented awards to our dedicated teachers.

Visitors to the stall

Encouragement for our students

Thiru J. C. D. Prabhakar, Hon’ble Speaker of the Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly, visited the conclave and interacted with our teachers and students, shook hands with them and extended his warm wishes and encouragement.

Our Governing Body members Mr. Baskar Susai and Mr. Sunderamoorthy, our Treasurer Mr. Oliver Solomon and our Hostel Director Mr. Vincent also visited the stall and motivated the students and teachers.

The Hon'ble Speaker of the Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly standing with MMS teachers and students in blazers at AMPS TEACON 2026.
VisitorsEncouragementA special visitor. Thiru J. C. D. Prabhakar, Hon’ble Speaker of the Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly, with our teachers and students.
An MMS student shaking hands with the Hon'ble Speaker of the Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly at the MMS exhibit.
Student confidenceVisitorsWarm wishes. The Hon’ble Speaker shook hands with our students and extended his encouragement.
MMS teachers and students at Stall C-20 with the robotic teacher, giving thumbs up and holding a certificate.
Robotic teacherStudent-builtTeam MMSThe stall team with the robotic teacher. Students and teachers who ran Stall C-20, with the robot they built.
Mr. Joseph Jayaraj M receiving the Best Principal award on stage at AMPS TEACON 2026.
RecognitionSchool leadershipBest Principal Award. Mr. Joseph Jayaraj M, Principal of Mathakondapalli Model School, receiving the award on stage.
Mr. Vishwanathan, PE teacher, receiving the Best Sports School Award on stage at AMPS TEACON 2026.
RecognitionSportsTeacher excellenceBest Sports School Award. PE teacher Mr. Vishwanathan receiving the award on stage.
Ms. Veena Chukka receiving the Best Play School Award trophy on stage at the AMPS TEACON 2026 awards ceremony.
RecognitionFoundational StageAMPS TEACON 2026Best Play School Award. Ms. Veena Chukka receiving the award on stage.

Read the school’s posts on Instagram and Facebook.

A Unique MMS Product · Built in the STEAM Lab

Meet the Robotic Teacher

Our robotic teacher was designed and built in the MMS STEAM Lab by four inspiring students, Master Nagadharshan, Master Faham, Selvi Jelin and Selvi Roopa, mentored by the STEAM Coordinator, Prabakaran. The robot was exhibited at Stall C-20, where the four students represented the project and took it to the venue entrance to welcome visitors.

The robotic teacher, a wheeled robot with a tablet face and an MMS jersey, greeting visitors at the TEACON 2026 venue while MMS students and visitors look on.
RoboticsHands-onMade at MMSWelcoming TEACON. The robotic teacher greets visitors with a Vanakkam gesture and invites them to meet our students and teachers at Stall C-20.
The robotic teacher moving along the red carpet at the TEACON 2026 venue, accompanied by three MMS students.
Project-based learningSTEAMNEP 2020NCF-SE 2023Built by students, for school. Nagadharshan, Faham, Jelin and Roopa built the robotic teacher under the guidance of their STEAM Coordinator: learning by building, not only by using.
STEAM & Robotics Lab Student-built Centre of Excellence
InnoChamp Season 2 · Regional Finale

Two MMS Teams at the InnoChamp Regional Finale

MMS students took part in InnoChamp at AMPS TEACON 2026, and two of our teams were shortlisted and participated in the regional finale: one from the middle school and one from the high school.

Middle school

Team ID: IC2-CAT1-088

Project: EcoPaper, tree-free paper made from banana-stem waste

Students: Harikishan S P, Ezhil Prakash T, Shanjai A

Mentor: Swetha M

High school

Team ID: IC2-CAT2-023

Student: Lohith Ashwa E

Mentor: Prabakaran M

“Because education keeps changing, the way we teach must change too.”
ERTDU's support isn’t limited to MMS: any school looking to strengthen teacher training, mentoring or curriculum practice is welcome to connect with us.

Is your school ready to grow with ERTDU?

Whether you're an MMS teacher or from another school altogether, ERTDU welcomes you to connect for training, mentoring, or simply a conversation about where to begin.

Contact Us →
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