A Review of Professionalization of Teacher Education of India in Terms of Curriculum Frame Work

Abstract

Teaching is a profession and teacher education is a process of professional preparation of teachers. Preparing one for a profession is an arduous task and it involves action from multiple fronts and perspectives involving oneself in academic as well as professional training in tandem with practical experience. Notably teaching is the profession which is different from others because of its multitude of dimensions where teachers required to be much more accomplished and professionalized. A general view of professionalism is considered as the continuous process of developing and fostering professional competence in teachers through pre-service, induction training, in-service training and on-going professional development programmes. A teacher possessing high degree of “professionalism” approaches each professional tasks and responsibilities in a planned and systematic manner with high level of efficiency. So that it can be said professionalism needs to be instilled in each and every phase of teacher preparation to prepare professionals and to improve the quality of education.This paper makes a systematic analysis of teacher education curriculum reforms in India and its effectiveness in professionalizing teacher education programmes. The curriculum of teacher education has been modified and modernized from time and again by the policy planners for qualitative improvement of teacher education along with professional preparation of teachers. The article sheds light on the attempt to professionalize teachers through the implementation of curriculum framework for teacher education. Among various policy initiatives this paper reviews and discusses the earlier curriculum reforms made by Kothari commission (1964-1966), National Policy on Education (1986) in one hand, and National Curriculum Framework for Teacher Education (2009), Justice Verma Committee Report (2012) on the other as a benchmark for professionalization of teacher education in India and instill professionalism in practicing teachers through pre-service and in-service teacher education programmes.