Author: Debashish Mandal
Abstract: Educational reform is a complex and continuous process that involves the transformation of educational policies, institutional structures, teaching methodologies, and learning outcomes. Among the various stakeholders involved in this transformation, teachers occupy the most crucial position because they directly interact with students and implement educational policies in classrooms. The National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 of India recognizes teachers as the most important agents of educational change and emphasizes their professional empowerment, autonomy, and continuous development. The policy envisions an education system that promotes holistic development, multidisciplinary learning, critical thinking, creativity, and technological integration. This paper examines the central role of teachers in educational change as envisioned by NEP 2020. It analyzes key aspects of the policy related to teacher education reforms, professional development, student-centered pedagogy, technology integration, inclusive education, and assessment transformation. The study adopts a qualitative analytical approach based on the analysis of policy documents, scholarly literature, and research studies related to teacher education and educational reform. The findings suggest that NEP 2020 introduces significant structural reforms aimed at improving teacher quality and empowering teachers as leaders of educational transformation. However, the successful implementation of these reforms depends on adequate institutional support, teacher training, infrastructure development, and effective policy implementation strategies. The paper concludes that teachers are not merely implementers of educational policies but active architects of educational change who shape the future of the education system and society.
Keywords: National Education Policy 2020, Teacher Empowerment, Educational Reform, Teacher Education, Professional Development, Student-Centered Learning, Educational Change.
Page No: 220-225