Importance of teacher education for effective schools

Globalisation and technology flows have increased dramatically and changed financial and industrial production and consumption patterns. Likewise, education processes have entered the marketplace as a commodity, to be priced, marketed and sold to willing buyers. The increasing rate of corporatization of universities, the import and export of academic programmes, the increasing presence of the private sector in education, the rise of private and international schools are examples of this trend. For example, more Indian and Chinese students than ever before are traveling abroad to study; at the same time, the number of students from the West studying in China and India is increasing. The teacher-student relationship is far more complex and demanding than ever before. The implication of this more diversified role for the teacher is what prompted a new view of the process of teacher education and training. As a matter of fact, teacher education is seen as a continuous process, beginning with a phase of initial training and continuing throughout the teacher's professional life throughout regular and sustained periods of in-service training. Maintaining the view that a teacher must remain a learner during the scope of their service is mandatory. Teacher Education Institutions have the potential to bring changes within educational systems that will shape the knowledge and skills of future generations. An effective school is where all the stakeholders are in favour of teacher education policies so as to make the teaching and learning experiences meaningful and relevant to the students' needs as well as the society. This study explores the impact of teacher education on school effectiveness in a constantly changing society. It presents information and recommendations on how teachers training and continuous professional development can positively influence the educational panorama.