Teacher education

Abstract

Teacher education is characterized by confusion, effervescent hopes, mordant fears, wishful thinking and increasing pessimism. Indeed education, per se has never had an easy time. The classist feels that real education entails cultivation of the mind while the vacationist stresses the importance of job-oriented instruction, and the pragmatist tries to reconcile these views but with little success. These differing opinions often end up confusing teachers. Critics argue that teaching is a pseud- or semi- profession, resting on experience and apprenticeship. They continue to say that teachers cannot be trusted with the responsibility for educational policies in curriculum, discipline, moral values or promotion of high standards. Nor can they be trusted with professional controls such as entry requirements or selection of pupils, or judgement of one another's competence; nor can they be trusted in the appointment of another teacher; nor can they be trusted to have an independent and cohesive professional organization.