CURRICULUM INNOVATION IN TEACHER PREPARATION: A THEORETICAL PERSPECTIVE

Abstract

Curriculum innovation in teacher preparation has become a fundamental requirement for developing competent, reflective, and future-ready teachers capable of addressing the dynamic needs of twenty-first-century education. Rapid technological advancements, globalization, inclusive education, competency-based learning, and the implementation of India's National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 have necessitated substantial reforms in teacher education curricula. Contemporary teacher preparation programmes emphasize learner-centred pedagogy, digital competence, interdisciplinary learning, research orientation, professional ethics, and experiential learning to prepare teachers for diverse educational contexts. This theoretical paper examines the concept, principles, dimensions, significance, innovations, challenges, strategies, and future directions of curriculum innovation in teacher preparation. It concludes that continuous curriculum innovation is essential for producing professionally competent teachers who can lead educational transformation and contribute to sustainable national development.