Professional Commitment in Teacher Education: A Comparative Analysis of B.Ed. and M.Ed. Trainees

The effectiveness of teacher education programs is not only determined by academic achievement but also the level of professional commitment demonstrated by trainees.This study aims to compare the professional commitment of Bachelor of Education (B.Ed.) and Master of Education (M.Ed.) teacher education trainees.Using a descriptive survey method, a sample of 400 trainees (200 B.Ed. and 200 M.Ed.) was selected through stratified random sampling from recognised colleges of education.A standardised Professional Commitment Scale was administered, and the data were analysed using descriptive statistics and independent sample ttests.The results revealed a statistically significant difference in the professional commitment levels of B.Ed. and M.Ed.trainees, with B.Ed. trainees showing higher commitment.However, no significant difference was observed when the data were analysed gender-wise between B.Ed. and M.Ed.male trainees and between B.Ed. and M.Ed.female trainees.The findings highlight the need for interventions at the postgraduate level to sustain and enhance professional commitment.Recommendations include motivational programmes, reflective practices, mentorship, and field-based learning in M.Ed.curricula.This study contributes to the understanding of how teacher training programmes can be tailored to nurture committed professionals in education.