Teacher education: issues and concerns

This paper aims to discuss and analyze the issues and concerns related to teacher education in India. Despite of India's commitment towards universalization of elementary education (UEE) and implementation of various flagship schemes like Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan (SSA), Rashtriya Madhyamik Shiksha Abhiyan (RMSA) and mid day meal scheme, the quality of education in India is unsatisfactory in terms of teaching learning environment and learning achievements. The present paper is divided in 2 sections. Section 1 deals with the current issues and concerns of teacher education namely shortage of qualified and trained teachers, poor state of teacher education institutes, weak teacher education curriculum and low status of teachers. Section 2 states some structural and curricular changes that will ensure success in teacher education.