Global Demand for Teachers on the Rise

UNESCO Institute of Statistics (UIS) has released updated expectations on the global supply and demand for primary teachers through 2015. As school enrollment increased in most developing countries, the increase of teachers has yet to follow. According to UIS, there will be a need to create 2 million new teaching positions in order to meet the expected goals for Universal Primary Education by 2015. To account for attrition, those teachers leaving the classroom due to retirement, illness, death, shifts in position level or profession, etc., the number of new teachers needed between 2009 and 2015 is estimated at 6.1 million. Also, a gender balance of primary school teachers is critical. UIS indicated that a higher rate of female teachers increases enrollment of girls at secondary education level.

More Information:

UNESCO Institute for Statistics
Global Demand for Primary Teachers 2011

Education International
UNESCO Warns About Teacher Shortage and Gender Gap