UNESCO’s Global Report on Teachers: A Wake-Up Call for the Future of Education

15 Apr

Written By Sandy

As a teacher, you're likely well aware of the severe teacher shortages we're experiencing in Australia—a challenge that extends far beyond our borders. Around the world, educators are leaving the profession in growing numbers, taking with them valuable experience and expertise. For early career teachers, the situation is especially concerning, with many exiting the profession within just three to five years.

In response to this global crisis, UNESCO has undertaken significant research and released the Global Report on Teachers in 2024, offering critical insights and recommendations to address these urgent issues. It delivers a stark message: the world needs 44 million more teachers by 2030 to meet universal education goals. This shortage threatens the quality and accessibility of education globally. Here is a summary of the report’s findings and recommendations.

The Global Teacher Shortage Crisis

The report highlights a severe global teacher shortage, with sub-Saharan Africa requiring 15 million additional teachers. Even high-income countries face challenges in retaining educators, leading to overcrowded classrooms and diminished learning outcomes.

Elevating the Teaching Profession

To address these challenges, UNESCO advocates for:

Improved Working Conditions: Enhancing salaries, reducing workloads, and providing better support systems.
Professional Development: Offering continuous training opportunities to keep teachers updated with modern pedagogical practices.
Teacher Involvement: Encouraging teachers to participate in decision-making processes to ensure policies reflect classroom realities .

A New Social Contract for Education

The report calls for a reimagining of the teaching profession, emphasizing collaboration, lifelong learning, and public support. It underscores the need for inclusive policies that recognize teachers as agents of change in building equitable and sustainable societies .

Key Recommendations

UNESCO outlines several strategies to combat the teacher shortage:

Policy Reforms: Implementing inclusive policies that attract and retain teachers.

Investment in Education: Increasing funding to support teacher training and infrastructure.
Global Collaboration: Encouraging international cooperation to share best practices and resources .

Implications for Australia

Australia is not immune to these challenges. The country faces its own teacher shortages, particularly in rural and remote areas. Addressing these issues requires national policies aligned with UNESCO's recommendations, focusing on improving teacher support and professional development.

UNESCO’s Global Report on Teachers serves as a critical reminder of the essential role teachers play in shaping our future. Addressing the global teacher shortage is imperative to ensure quality education for all. It is a call to action for governments, communities, and individuals to invest in and support the teaching profession.

In the meantime, it's up to us to find the motivation to stay in the profession. Yet, I’m seeing more and more of my colleagues either stepping away or upskilling to pivot into new career paths—and honestly, I can’t blame them.

Sandy

Sandy is a qualified counsellor, certified life coach, and meditation teacher with over 20 years of experience in education. Having worked across high schools, universities, and leadership roles, she understands the deep challenges and quiet toll teaching can take.

Through her practice, Dear Teacher, Breathe, she offers counselling, coaching, and retreats designed to support the wellbeing of educators. Her work is grounded in compassion, lived experience, and a deep belief that teachers deserve care, too.