There is no doubt that the educational process is not possible without appropriate teachers. Society has entrusted this profession and the educational system, no more and no less, with the enormous task of training younger generations to acquire the skills, values ​​and knowledge necessary to develop their potential and to navigate, create meaning and contribute. increasingly complex and challenging world.

Given the transcendental relevance of this work, there is concern that there is a worldwide shortage of teachers. According to the latest estimates of the UNESCO Institute for Statistics, the world lacks 44 million teachers, of which 3.2 million in Latin America and the Caribbean, to achieve universal primary education and meet educational needs in all areas of education.

UNESCO and politics

Several factors explain the shortage of teachers. On the one hand, it is increasingly difficult to attract young people to the profession, which is reflected in the decrease in the number of students who choose to study. Between 2015 and 2019, the growth in the number of teachers was only 2.7%, in contrast to the 6.3% that characterized the period 2010-2015. In addition, there has been an increase in the number of teachers leaving the profession, whether due to retirement, job dissatisfaction or other reasons, a phenomenon exacerbated by the pandemic. On this World Teachers’ Day (October 5) and in the face of this alarming reality, we invite you to think and act on the shortage of educational professionals.

However, not all levels and social contexts have the same lack of teachers. This occurs to a greater extent in disciplines such as mathematics and science, as well as in education centers that serve a high proportion of vulnerable students, including those from lower-income families or of Indigenous origin.

The future is in the young: half of the world’s population is under 30, the UN reported on International Youth Day

Other factors that are related to disinterest in the profession and high dropout rates are related to the low social evaluation of teaching, its complexity and the lack of more attractive working conditions.

In order to attract more young people into teaching, it is essential that education systems take the necessary measures to develop selective but flexible entry systems and that the entrance doors to the profession are diverse. At the same time, it is important to strengthen teacher training programs, ensuring quality and relevance and maintaining a strong link with schools from the first year of training. This early socialization with the school environment could prevent future dropouts, especially common among beginning teachers. In addition, it will be necessary to strengthen quality continuous training, contextualizing programs and focusing them on topics where teachers need more support, but taking into account their ability to make independent and professional decisions in their work.

The lack of teachers is a threat to the fulfillment of the right of every boy or girl to fair and quality education. It is necessary to recognize the problem and solve it. There is no time to waste. (OR)