Introduction: Teachers play a vital role in shaping the future of our children and, in turn, the future of our nation. They have traditionally held a revered position in Indian society, as they were considered the most respected members - the gurus who imparted knowledge, skills, and ethics to students. However, the quality of teacher education, recruitment, deployment, service conditions, and empowerment of teachers in recent times have fallen short of the desired standards. To ensure a brighter future for our children and our nation, it is imperative to restore the high respect and status of the teaching profession. This is precisely what the Teacher Education & Training (TE&T) domain of the Performance Grading Index (PGI) 2.0 aims to address. 

As stated in the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, teachers are the guiding force behind the holistic development of students. They possess the power to inspire, motivate, and impart knowledge that goes beyond textbooks. However, in order to fulfil this noble role effectively, teachers themselves require continuous professional development, empowering them with the necessary skills and knowledge to nurture the young minds entrusted to their care.

The TE&T domain of PGI 2.0 focuses on evaluating the proportion of teachers with minimal professional qualifications. It highlights the need to enhance the quality of teacher education and training, recruitment processes, deployment strategies, service conditions, and empowerment measures. It recognizes that these aspects are critical in ensuring that teachers are well-equipped to deliver quality education and create a positive impact on their students.

The grades attained by states/UTs in this domain are as follows:

• Daksh (91 – 100): No state/UT has achieved this highest grade in the TE&T domain.

• Utkarsh (81 – 90.9): Five states/UTs have attained the Utkarsh grade, indicating a strong performance in teacher education and training.

• Atti-Uttam (71 – 80.9): Ten states/UTs have achieved the Atti-Uttam grade, demonstrating a commendable performance in the domain.

• Uttam (61 – 70.9): Thirteen states/UTs have reached the Uttam grade, showcasing a satisfactory performance in teacher education and training.

• Prachesta -1 (51 – 60.9): Five states/UTs have attained the Prachesta -1 grade, indicating an average performance in this domain.

• Prachesta -2 (41 – 50.9): Two states/UTs have achieved the Prachesta -2 grade, showcasing a below-average performance in teacher education and training.

• Prachesta -3 (31 – 40.9): Only one state/UT has attained the Prachesta -3 grade, suggesting a poor performance in this domain.

It is noteworthy that no states/UTs have achieved the Akanshi-1, Akanshi-2, or Akanshi-3 grades, indicating a need for improvement in teacher education and training across the board.

The analysis of the TE&T domain reveals varying performances among states/UTs. The states/UTs that have achieved higher grades demonstrate a strong commitment to teacher education and training, ensuring that teachers are well-qualified and empowered to deliver quality education. On the other hand, states/UTs with lower grades need to prioritize improving teacher education and training to enhance the overall quality of education.

Efforts should be directed towards providing professional development opportunities for teachers, establishing effective recruitment and deployment strategies, and improving service conditions to attract and retain high-quality educators. Collaboration between educational institutions, policymakers, and teachers' associations can play a crucial role in driving positive change in the TE&T domain.

The analysis of the TE&T domain provides valuable insights for states/UTs to identify areas of improvement and develop targeted strategies to enhance teacher education and training. By investing in the professional development of teachers and creating a supportive and empowering environment, states/UTs can elevate the quality of education and contribute to the overall improvement of the education system in the country.

Conclusion: Teacher education and training are fundamental to the holistic development of students and the overall improvement of the education system. The TE&T domain of PGI 2.0 serves as a valuable tool for assessing the current state of teacher education and training and identifying areas for improvement. Restoring the respect and status of teachers, providing continuous professional development opportunities, and empowering teachers are crucial steps in ensuring the best possible future for our children and our nation. By investing in teacher education and training, we lay a strong foundation for a brighter and more prosperous tomorrow.