Teacher training and retention in India: Balancing tech advances and burnouts

Educators seek support and recognition

Though teacher training in India has begun to integrate technology and empathy to improve education, yet challenges like administrative overload and rural single-teacher schools lead to regular burnouts and teachers say ongoing support and recognition remain essential for retention and quality.

One of the biggest challenges, of the many that India faces in education sector, is the quality of its teachers, especially in terms of their continuous training and upgrading of their skills. Teachers also face issues of immense workload and responsibilities that go beyond teaching and examining, with many burdened with non-teaching, administrative duties.

In 2025, retaining and training teachers is becoming increasingly crucial to strengthening India’s educational system. As the nation approaches a milestone of over 10 million teachers, there is a growing need for appropriate focus on improving teacher quality, wellbeing, and ongoing professional development to better serve the diverse needs of students.

Teacher training in India has seen significant changes in recent years.

“It is no longer about simply finishing the syllabus or sticking to fixed lesson plans. In 2025, the focus has shifted towards understanding how children learn, not just what they are taught. Training today is far more practical, data-driven, and emotionally intelligent. Teachers are encouraged to view each student as an individual with different learning modalities,” Krishna Kumar, CEO and business management consultant in Bengaluru, Karnataka, tells Media India Group.

This shift coincides with the integration of technology like AI and digital learning tools, which have expanded access to global knowledge and interactive educational content.

“Concepts that took hours to explain can now be visualised, experienced, and understood instantly, reshaping how teachers are trained to combine empathy with digital skills using AI-based diagnostic tools and micro-learning platforms,” Kumar adds.

Such advancements are especially important for rural schools, helping to bridge the educational divides.

According to experts, certification courses such as Google Certified Educator and Cambridge International Certificates equip teachers with cutting-edge digital pedagogy and teaching strategies aligned with national education reforms.

However, challenges persist. A recent survey by Heart NGO and GreenSignature revealed that Indian teachers spend only about 34 pc of their time on actual teaching, with the remainder consumed by administrative tasks, event management and student discipline.

This imbalance often leads to fatigue and burnout, causing many dedicated educators to leave the profession.

To address this, some progressive schools are now providing administrative support, mentorship, mental wellness programmes, and clear career growth paths. Teacher retention increasingly depends on respect and recognition more than just salary. Emotional and professional support helps foster long-term commitment, with peer support networks and counselling services playing a key role in sustaining teacher motivation and wellbeing.

“Teaching today is multifaceted and challenging. When administrative burdens overwhelm us, we lose focus on students’ learning. What helps is when schools acknowledge our efforts beyond exam results, when they value our emotional and professional needs. Upskilling opportunities and recognition make us feel seen and inspire us to keep innovating in the classroom. It is not just a job, it is a calling that demands continuous learning and resilience,” Bhupendra Vyas, a high school teacher based in New Delhi, tells Media India Group.

Teacher learning is no longer confined to workshops or preset programmes. Continuous curiosity and adaptation to evolving pedagogies are essential.

“Teacher learning never really stops. The more teachers keep learning, the more confident and creative they become. It is about staying open to new ideas and understanding diverse learning styles,” Vyas adds.

Technological advances now dominate academic delivery, with AI tools offering students interactive explanations and visuals on demand.

“The teacher’s role has shifted from information giver to guide and mentor, helping students think critically and apply knowledge wisely. We still guide emotional growth and behaviour, but when it comes to academic content, technology leads,” says Vyas.

However, meaningful innovation will require robust collaborations between government bodies, teacher training institutes, and edtech companies.

“While the government sets policies, new-age edtech provides agility and tools for AI-based teaching simulations and flexible digital courses,” Kumar points out.

Such partnerships help align teacher training with global standards and national policies, preparing educators to anticipate educational needs 15-20 years into the future within a rapidly evolving knowledge landscape.

“When teachers feel valued and equipped, they bring their best to the classroom every day, shaping a future-ready generation,” Vyas added.

Yet, the challenges remain stark. India has approximately 100,000 schools run by only one teacher, serving over 3.3 million students, primarily in rural and remote areas. These single-teacher schools often exceed the ideal pupil-teacher ratio outlined in the Right to Education Act, with an average of 34 students per school, one of the worst in large economies and almost double the number in comparable countries.

Such conditions put tremendous pressure on teachers to manage multiple grades and diverse student needs single-handedly.

“It feels like we are left to fend for ourselves with no support. Managing all grades alone, handling administrative work, and trying to teach effectively feels impossible. Sometimes, I question if this is really education or just survival in the classroom,” Rekha Tiwari, a science teacher based in Jaipur, Rajasthan, tells Media India Group.

“The system overloads us with tasks outside teaching. We barely get time to focus on actual learning. Without proper resources or backup, teaching becomes exhausting and demotivating,” Tiwari adds.