Continuous Professional Development of School Teachers under NEP 2020:  From Policy to Practice

Abstract

The quality of school education depends not entirely on the existing competencies and motivations but on the continuous growth of the teachers. The National Education Policy 2020 (NEP 2020) places teachers at the centre of educational reform and underscores the need for structured and continuous professional development throughout a teacher’s career. Continuous Professional Development (CPD) refers to the sustained, lifelong process of learning and skill‐building that enables teachers to remain updated with innovations in pedagogy, curriculum, assessment, technology and learner diversity. In the context of NEP 2020, CPD is not simply optional but is a strategic imperative for actualising the Policy’s vision of holistic, future‐ready education. This paper explores the need of CPD for school teachers, outlines its importance, discusses benefits, and situates the discussion in the context of NEP 2020 including its provisions, implementation, challenges and implications for teachers, institutions and policy‐makers. Recommendations for effective CPD under NEP 2020 are also presented