Global trends in mathematics teacher education: Pedagogical practices and approaches for pre-service secondary teachers (2015-2025)

Hendri Theron; Thuthukile Jita

doi:10.29333/ejmste/18072

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Hendri Theron ¹ ^* , Thuthukile Jita ¹

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¹ Department of Curriculum Studies and Higher Education, University of the Free State, Bloemfontein, SOUTH AFRICA^* Corresponding Author

Abstract

There are various ways around the world in which pre-service mathematics teachers are trained. This systematic review explores global approaches to training pre-service secondary mathematics teachers between 2015 and 2025. Guided by complexity theory and following PRISMA protocols, the study analysed 21 peer-reviewed articles from five continents. Thematic analysis identified five recurring areas: gaps in foundational mathematics knowledge, limited digital competencies, insufficient development of 21st-century teaching skills, the influence of teacher beliefs and attitudes, and the need for enhanced programme design. Findings reveal persistent challenges in content mastery, technological integration, and pedagogical preparedness. This research is significant in revealing systemic weaknesses in mathematics teacher education and emphasises the necessity for policy reforms that embed digital literacy, reflective practice, and emotional resilience within pre-service training. Overall, the study highlights the importance of holistic and adaptive teacher education models to equip future mathematics educators for complex, technology-driven classroom environments.

Keywords

complexity theory
mathematics teacher training
pedagogical practices
pre-service teachers

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This is an open access article distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution License which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.

Article Type: Review Article

EURASIA J Math Sci Tech Ed, Volume 22, Issue 3, March 2026, Article No: em2797

https://doi.org/10.29333/ejmste/18072

Publication date: 11 Mar 2026

Article Views: 12

Article Downloads: 5

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How to cite this article

APA

Theron, H., & Jita, T. (2026). Global trends in mathematics teacher education: Pedagogical practices and approaches for pre-service secondary teachers (2015-2025). Eurasia Journal of Mathematics, Science and Technology Education, 22(3), em2797. https://doi.org/10.29333/ejmste/18072

Vancouver

Theron H, Jita T. Global trends in mathematics teacher education: Pedagogical practices and approaches for pre-service secondary teachers (2015-2025). EURASIA J Math Sci Tech Ed. 2026;22(3):em2797. https://doi.org/10.29333/ejmste/18072

AMA

Theron H, Jita T. Global trends in mathematics teacher education: Pedagogical practices and approaches for pre-service secondary teachers (2015-2025). EURASIA J Math Sci Tech Ed. 2026;22(3), em2797. https://doi.org/10.29333/ejmste/18072

Chicago

Theron, Hendri, and Thuthukile Jita. "Global trends in mathematics teacher education: Pedagogical practices and approaches for pre-service secondary teachers (2015-2025)". Eurasia Journal of Mathematics, Science and Technology Education 2026 22 no. 3 (2026): em2797. https://doi.org/10.29333/ejmste/18072

Harvard

Theron, H., and Jita, T. (2026). Global trends in mathematics teacher education: Pedagogical practices and approaches for pre-service secondary teachers (2015-2025). Eurasia Journal of Mathematics, Science and Technology Education, 22(3), em2797. https://doi.org/10.29333/ejmste/18072

MLA

Theron, Hendri et al. "Global trends in mathematics teacher education: Pedagogical practices and approaches for pre-service secondary teachers (2015-2025)". Eurasia Journal of Mathematics, Science and Technology Education, vol. 22, no. 3, 2026, em2797. https://doi.org/10.29333/ejmste/18072