Gandhinagar: Scotland’s First Minister John Swinney visited Sabarmati Ashram in Ahmedabad on Saturday and held discussions with Gujarat government officials and teachers on education reforms, teacher training and opportunities for future cooperation between Scotland and Gujarat.
During his visit to the historic ashram, Swinney paid tribute to Mahatma Gandhi by offering floral tributes and a skein of cotton yarn to his statue and portrait. He also visited Hriday Kunj, Gandhi’s former residence, where he tried his hand at spinning yarn on a traditional charkha.
Swinney expressed respect for Gandhi’s simple way of life and his message of self-reliance, truth and non-violence.
He presented the ashram with copies of letters Gandhi had written to a Scottish lord. The letters are preserved in the National Records of Scotland. The ashram, in return, gave Swinney a copy of a letter written to Gandhi by Lord Lothian.
In the visitors’ book, Swinney described the visit as a privilege and praised the ashram for sharing Gandhi’s life, writings and contribution to humanity with people around the world. He also expressed pride in sharing copies of Gandhi’s letters preserved in Scotland.
The 11-member Scottish delegation also visited the ashram’s prayer ground, Vinoba Kutir, Mira Kutir, archives and exhibition showcasing Gandhi’s life and ideas.
Gujarat and Scotland Discuss Education Cooperation
Earlier, Swinney and the delegation met Gujarat Education Department officials and teachers to discuss the education systems of both regions, ongoing reforms and areas where they could work together.
Officials briefed the Scottish team on Gujarat’s use of technology and data to monitor schools and improve educational outcomes. The delegation appreciated the functioning of the Vidya Samiksha Kendra (VSK), which supports real-time monitoring and data-driven decision-making in the state’s education system.
The team also took note of Gujarat’s Shala Praveshotsav and Continue to School campaigns. These initiatives have been running for more than two decades, with a focus on reducing school dropout rates and supporting children’s overall development.
The meeting also covered the Glasgow-Gujarat Teacher Mobility Exchange Programme, organised with support from the British Council. Teachers from both sides shared their classroom practices and experiences of cultural exchange.
Focus on Teacher Training and Inclusive Education
Swinney outlined Scotland’s approach to education, covering schools and tertiary education. He highlighted the importance of students’ overall development and inclusive learning.
The discussions explored possible cooperation in improving educational quality, strengthening continuous professional development for teachers and promoting research.
The visit provided an opportunity for Gujarat and Scotland to exchange ideas on education and explore ways to build on their existing engagement. Teacher training, the use of technology in schools and inclusive education were among the key areas discussed.