Navigating the Integration Maze: Challenges and Concerns in Adopting Integrated Teacher Education Programme (ITEP)

Abstract

The field of teacher education is undergoing a transformative transition with the implementation of the National Education Policy 2020. The NEP-2020 has expressed disdain for the substandard teacher education programs offered by numerous Indian institutions. It has put out a proposal for an important shift by proposing a four-year integrated teacher education program (ITEP) that is in line with the 5+3+3+4 structure for school education levels. By 2030, the NEP-2020 mandates the implementation of only well-designed, interdisciplinary, and integrated teacher education programs. The National Education Policy (NEP) has declared that by the year 2030, a 4-year integrated B.Ed. degree will be the minimum requirement for individuals aspiring to become teachers. The National Council for Teacher Education (NCTE) started the Integrated Teacher Education Program (ITEP) at 43 universities and institutions, commencing in the academic session of 2023–24. Other institutions are urged to participate by transforming their current 4-year B.A. B.Ed. / B.Sc. B.Ed. programs into ITEP through curriculum alignment. Universities and colleges that launched the program in 2023 are facing challenges in its execution. Faculty members at institutions where the program has not yet started are also raising apprehensions. This paper focuses on the issues and challenges encountered by teacher educators in institutions offering Integrated Teacher Education Programs (ITEP) at Central University of Haryana, Mahnedergarh. There were challenges faced by Teachers while implementing the ITEP. The challenges included the selection of subjects, curriculum design, pedagogical issues, getting support from other departments and other administrative problems. Along with this, there are concerns of Teachers from the Institutions where ITEP is implemented has also been discussed. The present article aims to give Policymakers suggestions to improve the implementation of ITEP, to increase its effectiveness.