UNESCO: urgent need for new teachers worldwide

UNESCO published a new report in which it addresses the issue of teacher shortages worldwide. 

Sustainable Development Goal 4 brings forward the aim to reach inclusive, equitable and quality education for all. However, as the data show, 44 million additional teachers are needed to achieve universal primary and secondary education by 2030. 

While the lack of teachers is a global problem, sub-Saharan Africa is the most impacted area, with 15 million new teachers needed by 2030. 

On the occasion of the International Task Force on Teachers for Education in Johannesburg, South Africa, a new set of recommendations to safeguard future learning for all were announced by the UN Secretary-General’s High-Level Panel on the Teaching Profession.

The lack of teachers causes the creation of larger class sizes and the overburdening of educators. This leads to educational disparities and financial strain on school systems. The quality of and access to education is negatively impacted.

UN Secretary-General António Guterres states that now, more than ever, it is time to give teachers the support, recognition and resources they need. As the UN underlines, if no measures are taken now, 84 million children will not attend school, 300 million students will not possess fundamental reading and math abilities, and only one out of every six countries will meet the goal of ensuring all students complete secondary school.

For more information, read the report here.