Educational exigencies of the 21st century: Implications for teacher education programmes in East Africa

Abstract

Questions about what constitutes effective teacher education, compatible with today’s changing educational demands, have become commonplace. This article is therefore an overview of ideas about the elements of effective teacher education in light of the 21st century demands. Drawing on literature and the authors' knowledge of teacher education in the East African context, the article argues the case for the different elements of effective teacher education programs that would help the region, and by extension other developing countries, meet their educational obligations in the 21st century. The paper also highlights the theoretical underpinnings of these elements and concludes with the implications of these elements to teacher preparation in East Africa.