Opinion | A New Dawn in Teacher Education Integrated Teacher Education Program (ITEP) & National Professional Standards For Teachers (NPST)

The landscape of Indian education is undergoing a radical transformation, catalysed by the landmark National Education Policy (NEP) 2020. One of the most significant reforms envisaged in this policy revolves around Teacher Education, its quality, structure, and professional standards. As a delegate from Jammu and Kashmir, I had the privilege along with other Academic and administrative officers of Jammu and Kashmir to participate in the National Conclave 2025 on “Transforming Teacher Education” under the Northern Regional Territorial Jurisdiction, held at Kurukshetra University, Haryana on 28th and 29th April 2025. This two-day event proved to be a vibrant platform for rich discussions, policy dialogues, and collaborative reflection on the future of teacher education in India.

The Conclave was facilitated by the National Council for Teacher Education (NCTE), in collaboration with Haryana state higher education Council and Kurukshetra University, Kurukshetra. a statutory body established under the NCTE Act of 1993. The body, operational since 17th August 1995, is responsible for the planned and coordinated development of teacher education across India, ensuring regulation and proper maintenance of norms and standards. With its pan-India jurisdiction and four Regional Councils (Northern, Eastern, Southern, and Western), NCTE has become the pivotal force steering India’s teacher preparation and professional development.

NEP 2020 recognizes the centrality of teachers in shaping the future of learners and the nation. It aspires to ensure that all students at all levels of education are taught by passionate, motivated, well-qualified, and professionally trained teachers. To realize this vision, the policy mandates sweeping reforms in both pre-service and in-service teacher education through three critical initiatives:

1. Integrated Teacher Education Program (ITEP)

2. National Professional Standards for Teachers (NPST)

3. National Mission for Mentoring (NMM)

 

Integrated Teacher Education Program (ITEP)

(A Paradigm Shift in Pre-Service Teacher Education)

The ITEP is a flagship initiative of NEP 2020 designed to prepare teachers holistically through a four-year integrated program. It replaces the previous models of teacher education programmes (after graduation) with a single, multidisciplinary, and integrated undergraduate program. As per para 15.5 of NEP 2020, ITEP is being piloted in multidisciplinary institutions and universities across India. The primary objective of ITEP is to develop teachers for the foundational, preparatory, middle, and secondary stages of school education and Offers a dual-major curriculum, with one major in Education and the second in a discipline of choice (such as Arts, Science, Sanskrit, Yoga, or Physical Education).ITEP is aligned with the new curricular structure of school education, as per NEP 2020. The program offers stage-specific specializations:

Foundational Stage: Pre-school to Grade 2

 

Preparatory Stage: Grades 3 to 5

Middle Stage: Grades 6 to 8

Secondary Stage: Grades 9 to 12

Each student-teacher will be trained specifically to teach one of these stages with pedagogical content knowledge, child psychology, assessment methods, and technology integration. ITEP (Arts Education) Will Prepare future arts teachers with interdisciplinary training, ethical values, and pedagogical innovation. Candidates need minimum 50% marks at +2 level (relaxation for reserved categories), and admission is through a nationwide NCET conducted by NTA. ITEP (Physical Education) Focuses on developing physical education instructors equipped to promote fitness, sportsmanship, and holistic well-being. ITEP (Sanskrit Education) Preserves India’s cultural and linguistic heritage by preparing future Sanskrit educators who can promote classical knowledge through modern pedagogy. ITEP (Yoga Education) Responds to the growing global interest in yoga by training educators in yoga philosophy, practice, and its therapeutic applications in schools.

 

ITEP emphasizes experiential learning, multilingualism, inclusive education, and digital literacy. Which includes, Classroom internships, Community-based projects, Technology-enabled instruction, Workshops on critical thinking, ethics, and emotional well-being.The curriculum integrates both disciplinary depth and pedagogical skills, thus fostering reflective practitioners rather than just subject transmitters.

ITEP will be offered by selected multidisciplinary institutions approved by NCTE. Universities and teacher education colleges must meet rigorous infrastructure, faculty, and academic standards to be eligible. The course structure will include continuous assessments, a capstone project, and school-based internships.

National Professional Standards for Teachers (NPST)

(Elevating Teaching as a Profession)

 

Teachers play an indispensable role in shaping the future of any nation. Their competence, dedication, and continuous professional growth directly influence the quality of education and the development of learners. Recognizing this vital connection, the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 introduced several ground-breaking reforms, one of the most transformative being the National Professional Standards for Teachers (NPST). Developed by the National Council for Teacher Education (NCTE), NPST is a flagship framework designed to define and guide the professional expectations from teachers across various stages of their careers. The NPST not only outlines the benchmarks for teacher competencies and behaviour but also provides a structured pathway for career advancement, performance appraisal, and continuous professional development. This article explores the structure, objectives, benefits, implementation strategies, and potential impact of NPST on the teaching profession in India.

The teaching profession in India, despite its centrality to the education system, has historically lacked a structured career progression framework. Career advancement often relied on seniority rather than performance, innovation, or professional growth. NEP 2020 highlighted the need to address this gap and emphasized the importance of attracting and retaining the best talent in teaching. The NPST was envisioned to define clear professional expectations for teachers, create transparent and merit-based career progression pathways, Align teacher performance with student learning outcomes, Promote teacher agency, innovation, and leadership, Standardize teacher appraisal and certification across the country.

National Professional Standards for Teachers key objectives are,

1. Standardization of Professional Competencies: To create a national framework that defines what teachers should know, be able to do, and value at different stages of their careers.

2. Career Advancement Based on Merit: To shift from time-bound promotions to merit-based progression by recognizing professional growth, skills, and performance.

3. Guidance for Teacher Education: To inform curriculum development and training design for both pre-service and in-service teacher education programs.

4. Improvement in Student Learning Outcomes: By focusing on teacher capacity building, NPST aims to improve classroom practices and ultimately enhance student performance.

5. Development of a Reflective Practitioner: To encourage teachers to engage in reflective practices, self-evaluation, and continuous learning.

NPST recognizes that teachers evolve through various stages in their careers, and each stage requires a different set of competencies. The framework identifies four career stages, with clearly articulated expectations for each:

1. Beginner Teacher (Fresh graduates entering the teaching profession, Focuses on foundational knowledge, classroom readiness, and mentoring.)

2. Proficient Teacher (Teachers with some experience demonstrating effectiveness in classroom practices, expected to handle complex teaching situations and adapt to diverse learners.)

3. Expert Teacher (A seasoned educator who mentors peers, leads innovations in pedagogy, and impacts the school culture positively.)

4. Lead Teacher, (Plays a leadership role at the institutional or policy level, Involved in school reform, teacher training, curriculum development, and educational research.)

This progression allows for horizontal and vertical career mobility, giving teachers opportunities beyond traditional teaching roles. The successful implementation of NPST requires a collaborative and technology-enabled approach. The following steps form the foundation of its roll-out:

1. Development of Digital Teacher Registry (All teachers will be registered in a tech-based repository that maintains professional profiles, achievements, and training records.)

2. Certification and Appraisal Mechanism (Teachers will undergo performance evaluations aligned with NPST standards. Based on these evaluations, they will be certified or promoted.)

3. Continuous Professional Development (CPD) (Teachers must complete a minimum number of CPD hours annually, focusing on improving competencies defined in NPST.)

4. Capacity Building of SCERTs and DIETs (Institutions like SCERTs and DIETs will play a key role in providing NPST-aligned training, mentoring, and support services.)

 

 

5. Integration with School Leadership (Heads of institutions will also be trained in NPST principles to ensure school-level ownership and implementation.)

 

The NPST framework has far-reaching benefits for the education system:

1. Elevates Teaching as a Profession (By defining standards and career paths, NPST gives the profession the structure and respect it deserves.)

2. Encourages Innovation and Growth (Teachers are encouraged to innovate, reflect, and adapt, leading to a more vibrant and responsive classroom environment.)

3. Enables Transparent Promotions (Shifts promotion criteria from seniority to performance, removing bias and boosting morale.)

4. Improves Student Outcomes (Better trained, evaluated, and motivated teachers directly contribute to improved student engagement and achievement.)

5. Aligns with Global Best Practices (NPST brings India on par with international models like the Australian Professional Standards for Teachers (APST) and the UK’s Teachers’ Standards.)

The National Professional Standards for Teachers (NPST) is a transformative initiative that has the potential to redefine teaching in India. By placing teachers at the centre of educational reform and empowering them with a roadmap for professional growth, NPST aims to build a motivated, competent, and reflective teaching force. As the education system moves toward 21st-century learning, NPST ensures that teachers are not left behind but rather are equipped, recognized, and supported to lead from the front. The success of NPST will not only determine the future of teachers but also shape the future of millions of students and the nation as a whole.

Javeed Abdullah

Writer attended this National Conclave At Kurukshetra University Haryana, with Syed Ishtiyaq Ahmad Principal HSS Hawal Pulwama and Mr Kishor Kumar Principal DIET Anantnag is Grateful To Director School Education Kashmir Dr. G.N.Itoo (JKAS) for the selection to this national Conclave on Transforming Teacher Education in India. He can be reached at Javeedwrites378@gmail.com