Addresses a subject of common interest in developed countries - the apparently diminishing role of universities in the education of teachers. There is pressure to redesign teacher education, an on-going struggle between those who see the need to strengthen the knowledge base of teachers and those who favour learning on the job; there is a perceived need to define precisely what teachers need to know and be able to do and at the same time there is relaxation of entry standards for students entering the profession in an attempt to relieve the chronic shortage of teachers. This situation is prevalent in the USA, in the UK, Europe and Australia. The struggle over who should control the preparation of teachers is the significant emerging issue in education, and could change the whole structure of the teacher preparation.