Promoting Strong Equity and Inclusion in and through Teacher Education

Globalization, technological innovation, demographic shifts, and social justice imperatives have transformed educational landscapes, demanding a reorientation of teacher preparation toward equity. This conceptual paper introduces strong equity as a guiding principle that foregrounds the historical, economic, and sociocultural systems underpinning educational inequities, contrasting with "thin" access-focused approaches. We propose a five-question framework—Why? What? Who? Where? When?—to structure curriculum, pedagogy, and institutional partnerships: Why? Prompts critical analysis of structural disparities; What? Engages theory, policy critique, and reflective practice; Who? Emphasizes educator diversity and collaborative professionalism; Where? And when? Advocate contextualized, sustained learning across formal, non-formal, and community settings. Operationalized through supported school placements, practitioner inquiry, and cross-cultural exchanges, this framework offers a coherent roadmap for preparing teachers to recognize and dismantle inequitable structures and co-construct inclusive learning environments. It provides actionable guidance for policymakers, institutions, and researchers committed to transformative equity in global teacher education.