Volume : 12, Issue : 3, MAR 2026

TRANSFORMATIVE PEDAGOGY IN TEACHER EDUCATION: PROPOSING THE RCA-MODEL FOR SYSTEMATIC REFORM

DEEPA BHUE

Abstract

Teacher education in India is undergoing reforms under NEP 2020, but ongoing pedagogical and structural challenges hinder its effectiveness. Many approaches prioritise procedural training and content knowledge over reflective inquiry, critical engagement, and action. This article advocates shifting towards transformative pedagogy through the Reflective–Critical–Action (RCA) Model—an iterative framework that combines reflective practice, critical consciousness, and transformative action to cultivate socially responsible educators. It provides a roadmap for curriculum, culture, assessment, and policy reforms, connecting philosophical principles with practical strategies to improve teacher education in India.

Article : Download PDF

Cite This Article

IESRJ

International Educational Scientific Research Journal

E-ISSN: 2455-295X

International Indexed Journal | Multi-Disciplinary Refereed Research Journal

ISSN: 2455-295X

Peer-Reviewed Journal - Equivalent to UGC Approved Journal

Peer-Reviewed Journal

Article No : 30

Number of Downloads : 37

References

1. Barik, S., Sharma, V., Sutar, B. (2026). Project-Based Learning as a Pedagogy for 21st-century education with reference to NEP2020- A study of the middle stage grade of Government Schools in Kandhamal, Odisha, Journal of Emerging Technologies and Innovative Research (JETIR)  vol.13, issue 2, https://www.jetir.org/papers/JETIR2602236.pdf.

2. Singh, N., Meitei, A. Devi, R. (2025). The Need for Bridging Holistic Education, Assessment, and Reporting: Transformative Approaches in NEP2020,International Journal for Multidisciplinary Research (IJFMR) Vol. 7(1). https://doi.org/10.36948/ijfmr.2025.v07i01.35393.

3. Muller, A. J., Kormann, E., Rosa, J. C., &Gripa, S. (2025). John Dewey and the development of reflective teachers. IOSR Journal of Humanities and Social Science, 30(3), 09–14. https://doi.org/10.9790/0837-3003030914.

4. Talluri, S.  (2025). Transformative pedagogical innovations in teacher Education Under Nep2020, International Journal of Humanities, Social Science and Management (IJHSSM), Vol. 5(3), pp. 722–726.https://ijhssm.org/issue_dcp/Transformative%20Pedagogical%20Innovations%20in%20Teacher%20Education%20Under%20Nep%202020.pdf.

5. Simpson, D.J., Jackson, M.J.B., & Aycock, J. (2005). John Dewey and the Art of Teaching: Toward Reflective and Imaginative Practice. https://doi.org/10.4135/9781452232386?urlappend=%3Futm_source%3Dresearchgate.net%26utm_medium%3Darticle.

6. Somantri, M., H.Maulidah, N. (2025).Transformative Pedagogies in Elementary Teacher Education: Strengthening Social Studies Learning in Primary Schools, vol.960, Advances in Social Science and Humanities Research 960, https://doi.org/10.2991/978-2-38476-489-1_83.

7. Suprijono, A.Purwaningsih, M.Liana,C. (2021). Reflection on transformative pedagogy in High school in History learning in Indonesia,Advances in Social Science, Education and Humanities Research, Vol 6(03),https://www.atlantis-press.com/proceedings/icss-21/125965205.

8. Dorji,K. Tshering, P. Wangchuk,T. Jatsho, S. (2020). The implication of transformative Pedagogy in classroom teaching: A case of Bhutan,Journal of Pedagogical Sociology and Psychology,vol2,issue 2.http://www.doi.org/10.33902/JPSP.2020262924.

9. Chetry, K. (2024). Transforming Education: Paradigm Shifts in 21st-century learning,vol.2(5), International Journal of Multidisciplinary Research, Vol-2(5). https://theacademic.in/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/41.pdf.

10. Ireen, B., D.,B.,B. (2024). Transformative pedagogies: Cultivating Educators for 21st-century Graduates, International Journal of Advanced Multidisciplinary Research and Studies, vol. 4(5), pp. 289–295. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/384428160_Transformative_Pedagogies_Cultivating_Educators_for_21st_Century_Graduates.

11. Singh, K. P. & Singh, I. (2023). Transformative potential of NEP2020 in secondary education, International Journal of Applied Research 2023;9(12):pp-181-188, https://www.allresearchjournal.com/archives/2023/vol9issue12/PartC/9-12-45-908.pdf.

12. Chalaune, B. S. (2021). Paulo Freire’s Critical Pedagogy in Educational Transformation. International Journal of Research - GRANTHAALAYAH, 9(4), 185–194. https://doi.org/10.29121/granthaalayah.v9.i4.2021.3813

13. Barnett, E., &Botes, W. (2022). Adoption of transformative pedagogy by natural sciences pre-service teachers at a South African university. Issues in Educational Research, 32(4), 1290–1308. http://www.iier.org.au/iier32/barnett.pdf.

14. Law, M. Y. (2021). Transformative Learning: A Research Study on Emergency Remote Learning in Tertiary Education. Creative Education, 12, 494-528. https://doi.org/10.4236/ce.2021.123035..

15. Ministry of Education. (2020). National Education Policy 2020. Government of India. https://www.education.gov.in/sites/upload_files/mhrd/files/NEP_Final_English_0.pdf.

16. Tan, C. (2020). Revisiting Donald Schön’s notion of reflective practice: a Daoist interpretation. Reflective Practice, 21(5), 686–698.https://doi.org/10.1080/14623943.2020.1805307.

17. Srivastava, S. & Agnihotri, K. (2019). A Study on Modern Teaching Pedagogy with Special Reference to Outcome-Based Education System, International Journal of Business Excellence, vol. 26 (1).https://doi.org/10.1504/IJBEX.2019.10028903.

18. Schön, D. A. (1987). Educating the reflective practitioner. Jossey-Bass.https://www.scirp.org/reference/referencespapers?referenceid=2842631.

19. Schön, D. A. (1983). The reflective practitioner: How professionals think in action. Basic Books.https://raggeduniversity.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/1_x_Donald-A.-Schon-The-Reflective-Practitioner_-How-Professionals-Think-In-Action-Basic-Books-1984_redactedaa_compressed3.pdf.

20. Mezirow, J. (1978). Perspective transformation. Adult Education Quarterly, 28(2), 100–110.https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/074171367802800202.

21. Freire, P. (1970). Pedagogy of the Oppressed. Continuum.https://files.libcom.org/files/Paulo%20Freire,%20Myra%20Bergman%20Ramos,%20Donaldo%20Macedo%20-%20Pedagogy%20of%20the%20Oppressed,%2030th%20Anniversary%20Edition%20(2000,%20Bloomsbury%20Academic).pdf.