Quality, standards and benchmarking in teacher education : Whither and Hitherto

Generally speaking, quality, standards and benchmarking are three distinct concepts in the language of educational management and organization. However, in respect of teacher education, they are not only closely related but also highly critical in ensuring the manifestation of effective pedagogical programmes and activities in any education system. This paper, which is intended as a keynote address attempts to examine several major issues and dimensions of teacher quality, standards and benchmarking within the conceptual framework of teacher education system, continuous development of professional competence and tendencies of acceptable behavioural practice, both from a global and local perspective. The basic thrust of the presentation is an attempt to argue for the case of continuing process of examining the fundamental bases and rationalization of teacher reform strategies in the context of the changing character of learning in the globalization era.