Modernizing Teacher Training in India

In a recent India Academic Forum hosted by QS IGauge, leading educators raised urgent concerns that India’s Bachelor of Education (BEd) programs are lagging in meeting the evolving needs of students and the aspirations outlined in the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020.

Despite sweeping changes in school curricula, teacher training remains rooted in outdated models, limiting its effectiveness in today’s dynamic classrooms.

Experts like Lakshmi Kumar (Avasara Academy) highlighted the static nature of BEd curricula, noting that many senior educators still rely on a single grade-level, one-size-fits-all teaching style. Kumar emphasized that continuous learning—not just sporadic workshops—must be considered essential for modern teachers.

Pratima Sinha, CEO of DSR Educational Society, further noted a key mismatch: while students today demand emotional support, critical thinking, and engagement, many teachers aren’t equipped to deliver it due to outdated training methods.

Speakers, including Meghana Gorukanti Jupally of Meru International School, called for stronger connections between BEd institutes and actual schools. They argued that hands-on classroom exposure and real-school collaborations are vital to developing future educators who can implement contemporary pedagogy. Jupally also stressed the urgent need to elevate societal respect for teaching, noting that declining BEd enrollments reflect a profession that is underestimated by the public.

These concerns align with the NEP 2020’s broader agenda, which aims to implement a four-year integrated teacher education program by 2030, blending pedagogy, liberal arts, research, and digital literacy.

The policy also sets a requirement of 50 hours of continuous professional development for working teachers to remain current with evolving classroom dynamics. Despite these ambitious goals, the transition has been slow. As of early 2025, only about 60 of India’s 15,000 teacher training colleges offer the new Integrated Teacher Education Programme (ITEP).

Experts warn that unless reforms intensify, with better resources, stronger oversight, and a changed public perception of teaching, India may fail to deliver the high-quality, holistic education promised by NEP 2020.

By aligning BEd programs with NEP mandates through continuous upskilling, practical training, institutional partnerships, and enhanced professional respect, India can bridge the gap between policy and practice, empowering educators to lead classrooms of the future.