Adapting Teacher Education Programmes in Alignment with NEP 2020: Perceptions and Preparedness of Teacher Educators in Kerala

Abstract

The National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 introduced the Integrated Teacher Education Programme (ITEP) as a major reform to improve the quality of teacher preparation in India. The successful implementation of ITEP largely depends on the preparedness and support of teacher educators. Therefore, the present study examined the perception of teacher educators regarding the implementation of ITEP in Kerala. The study adopted a descriptive survey design and collected data from 800 teacher educators working in Government, Aided, Self-Financing teacher education institutions and University Centres across Kerala. Data were collected using a standardized Perception Scale on ITEP Implementation developed by the investigator. The scale measured five dimensions, namely Understanding of NEP/ITEP, Faculty Readiness, Administrative Readiness, Institutional Preparedness and Infrastructural Readiness, and Opportunities and Challenges. The findings revealed that teacher educators possess a moderate level of perception regarding the implementation of ITEP (M = 137). They demonstrated a high level of understanding of NEP 2020 and ITEP, while perception regarding faculty readiness, administrative readiness and institutional preparedness was found to be moderate. No significant differences were observed in perception based on the type of management or subject specialization. Teaching experience influenced perception only in the dimension of administrative readiness. The study highlights the need for capacity building, institutional preparedness, infrastructural strengthening and administrative support for the effective implementation of ITEP in Kerala.