Photo: Depositphotos.com
Two primary schools in The Hague organize a four-day week during the school year at the beginning of the year as due to a shortage of teachers, the umbrella organization De Haagse Scholen confirmed to local broadcaster Omroep West.
Teacher recruitment
The National Union of Teachers (NUT) believes there is “growing evidence of a crisis in teacher recruitment and retention” where teacher training is not up to par goals. There are many opportunities available to aspiring teachers, with Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) offering training opportunities such as PGCE, Primary School Initial Teacher Education (SCITT) qualifications as well as direct and First Home. But even with that, recruitment targets have been missed over the past four years. As you can see, the percentage of places occupied has decreased since 2010/11 in percentage terms with the targets set out in the Teacher Supply Model (TSM). The TSM figure estimates the number of teachers needed in relation to student growth and teacher flow estimates.
Although the number of new entrants to postgraduate education increased in 2015/16, 6% of places were still empty.
How is the shortage of teachers in Africa?
In East Africa, Tanzania has more than 60 million inhabitants, of which more than 44% are children.
What does that mean?
Global need for qualified teachers
The figure of 5.2 million shows the need for 1.58 million newly employed teachers and 3.66 million to replace those who are leaving the profession, retiring or engaged in another occupation. It is extremely difficult to attract and retain teachers in many developing countries, where life is hard and salaries (if any) are lower. The greatest needs are in sub-Saharan Africa, where six out of every ten additional teachers are needed, and in the Arab States, which account for 14% of global needs.
And this is not just about filling positions with companies. In a third of the countries, less than 75% of teachers are properly trained. Part of this problem is that despite the millions of dollars given to developing countries, very little (only about $189 million a year) goes to teacher training. And because of the many challenges of teaching in these settings, teachers must also receive practical classroom training and be prepared to teach with very limited resources, often in very diverse classrooms. in terms of age and in areas where sex attitudes are strong. Those with a bilingual education are also vital. In countries where education is not highly valued or subsidized, and especially where women are not encouraged to get an education, this type of preparation is almost impossible to obtain. Teacher training programs are often too expensive or difficult for people in these countries to access. And while online schools have greatly expanded access to teacher education programs around the world, often at much lower costs, many people in developing countries lack the technological tools to take advantage of the opportunities. this.
Spain
Another country to watch out for if you want to teach in Europe is Spain. Many schools in Spain need international teachers to teach English as a foreign language.
Teachers can teach there with no experience but be able to get certified with a certificate teaching English as a Foreign Language (EFL).