THE IDEA OF SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT AND ITS IMPLICATION FOR TEACHER EDUCATION IN INDIA

There is no doubt that Education is considered as a prime tool for social development and the role of teachers is very important for this purpose. At present, sustainable development is an inseparable part of social development and onus of its implementation lies on our teachers. It is obvious that the teachers would only be able to effectively educate their learners if they have been informed well about the idea of sustainable development. So, there is a need to focus on the concept of Sustainable development in the light of Teacher Education. This paper will try to examine the status and role of Teacher Education in India with historical and contemporary perspectives, both in the context of sustainable development. The paper will also try to present the major challenges and the basic impediments before the Teacher Education for promoting sustainable development. The paper will also look in to the meaning and contexts of sustainable development, and how to reorient Teacher Education to promote the idea of social sustainability. The paper concludes with some observations, suggestions and solutions to reorient Teacher Education in our country for inculcating the value of sustainable development.