Teacher Education for Social and Educational Equity

Abstract

Teacher Education plays important role in promoting social and educational equity in Indian society. Teacher Education is a range of programs which are related to the development of teachers' proficiency and competence to enable and empower the teacher to meet the requirements and challenges of the profession. Teacher Education for social and educational equity includes tools for creating highly effective classrooms that promote a respectful climate for all, knowledge of diverse needs, and how to implement strategies, such as differentiated instruction and collaborative learning, in those classrooms. This training will be instrumental in securing equity in education, among all the pupils to which learning is provided, but especially among marginalized and vulnerable pupils. Teachers are adequately trained to facilitate cooperation, interdependence and interculturalism among students to improve social integration and eliminate stigma. Teacher Education promotes the realization of educational equity, justice and the universal right to education, as a liaison between inclusive policy making and its implementation in the classroom. It helps teachers to support those pupils who have typically not been supported by the teacher because of disabilities, ethnicity or socio-economic issues and the like. Through training teachers can identify and value the variety of classroom skills, background and learning styles. They know how to recognize the social, emotional, behaviour, physical and learning needs and strengths of all children and can offer support to children accordingly. Emphasis is placed on the creation of a safe and supportive learning environment that helps all students feel that they belong. This includes fostering favourable interactions among students and teachers, and good group dynamics.