Local and international education experts should collaborate to determine a permanent solution to skyrocketing figures of teacher shortage globally. According to the current UNESCO Statistics, teacher shortage in the Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) subjects and curriculum delivery at the General Education and Training (GET) level is currently siting at 44 million.

The global teacher shortage figures were officially revealed during the 14th Policy Dialogue Forum (PDF) of the International Task Force on Teachers (ITF) for Education 2030, which took place at The Capital on the Park Hotel in Johannesburg from 26-29 February 2024. The PDF, which was co-hosted by South Africa and the International Task Force on Teachers for Education 2030 through UNESCO,  brought together various education stakeholders ranging from ministries, policy-makers, civil society organizations, international organizations, donors, private foundations, school leaders, teacher educators and researchers to examine teacher issues; exchange good practice; explore policy options and recommendations; and strengthen collaboration and communication related to teacher shortages. The Forum also provided a unique opportunity to build alliances for advocacy and to mobilise resources towards producing clear outcomes leading to concrete change for teachers and the teaching profession.

Ms Stefania Giannini, UNESCO Assistant Director-General for Education, and other key speakers applauded the Minister of Basic Education, Mrs Angie Motshekga, for accepting to serve on a high-level panel convened by the Secretary-General of the United Nations, Mr Antonio Gutterres, on the recommendation of the International Teacher Task Force for Education 2030 in September 2023. Ms Giannini highlighted that the PDF will play a pivotal role in terms of sustaining the teaching profession in the education field: “Global teacher shortages and solutions to address them is the theme at the heart of the 14th ITF for Education 2030 PDF. This follows the growing global emphasis and recognition of the critical role of teachers, teaching and the teaching profession towards the provision of quality, inclusive and equitable education for all”.

In her welcome remarks, Minister Motshekga stated that the South African Government views teacher development and recruitment as the most critical aspects towards the improvement of quality education in schools. “We cannot talk about improving the quality of education, without talking about improving the quality of our teachers. It is therefore befitting that we have our teachers amongst us, so that we do not discuss teacher issues without the involvement of teachers. The availability of qualified teachers must be understood as the engine that drives the achievement of Sustainable Development Goals as well as the Africa Agenda 2063. It is important for us as countries to celebrate and appreciate teachers, and the teaching profession; to invest in the support and development of our teachers; and to ensure that teachers work in safe and conducive environments”. She further indicated that through its dedication and commitment towards the development of teachers, the DBE introduced the Funza Lushaka Bursary Scheme. Minister Motshekga added that, “The scheme has been a critical initiative to close the teacher shortage gap in various fields of the schooling system. The scheme has produced 52,099 teachers from 2007 to 2023. Over the past decade and the seven months (from 2013 to August 2023) a robust 82% of the 47,340 educators trained have been recruited in the education system”.

Speaking during the PDF, Deputy President Paul Mashatile, thanked the ITF on Teachers for Education 2030 for recognising South Africa as a key player in the journey towards achieving quality education for all by the year 2030. “South Africa welcomes the theme of this Policy Dialogue and is hoping to learn from the good practices emanating from the Forum. As we gather here today, we are faced with a stark reality: a shortage of qualified and motivated teachers across the globe. This shortage not only jeopardises the quality of education, but also undermines our collective efforts to achieve the SDG4 goal of inclusive and equitable quality education for all. Instead of disregarding the situation and continuing as if everything is going according to plan, we need to acknowledge the problem and devise a solution that is both effective and efficient. We need to acknowledge the inherent worth of teachers and the crucial role they play in shaping the future of our nations. Besides teaching and imparting knowledge to future generations, teachers play a crucial role in nurturing, fostering critical thinking; inspiring dreams; and pushing the limits of human potential. As policy makers and leaders, it is our responsibility to attract and retain exceptional educators. I believe that a key component of any effective educational system is the ability to recruit and maintain a workforce of highly qualified teachers,” concluded the Deputy President.