Research for excellence in Teacher Education

Abstract

The National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 represents a transformative vision for the Indian education system, emphasizing holistic, multidisciplinary, and inclusive learning to meet 21st-century challenges. It seeks to revitalize the foundations of teacher education by integrating pedagogical innovation, research orientation, and technological advancement within a flexible and competency-based framework. The policy redefines the role of teachers from information transmitters to facilitators of critical and creative thinking, thereby aligning classroom processes with global standards of excellence. However, realizing this vision requires overcoming persistent challenges such as inadequate teacher training, infrastructural limitations, funding constraints, and disparities in access and implementation across regions. This paper critically examines the implications of NEP 2020 for teacher education in India, evaluating its potential to foster educational excellence through professional development, institutional reform, and policy coherence. It also explores strategies for capacity building, curriculum restructuring, and digital integration to ensure the creation of a competent, innovative, and ethically grounded teaching community capable of driving sustainable educational transformation.