Ei-iE

On January 24, Education International (EI) marked the International Day of Education with the launch of the Global Status of Teachers Report. Authored by Dr. Ben Arnold and Dr. Mark Rahimi, this groundbreaking publication provides an analysis of the state of the teaching profession worldwide, highlighting the key role teachers play in ensuring equitable and quality education for all.

The survey says: key findings

The report draws on data from 204 unions in 121 countries, providing a vivid picture of the challenges and opportunities faced by educators globally. It reveals a teaching profession under strain yet brimming with potential. Key findings include:

• Teacher shortages: The report identifies severe shortages across all levels of education, particularly in special education, STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) subjects, and secondary teaching. Low salaries, poor career progression, and excessive workloads are the primary drivers of this crisis.
• Working conditions and well-being: Teachers face high stress levels due to large class sizes, administrative burdens, and emotional demands, exacerbated by inadequate mental health support and unsupportive working environments.
• Professional status: Despite their vital societal role, teachers are often undervalued, facing limited professional voice, restricted labor rights, and public perceptions that fall short of recognising their expertise and contributions.

The way forward: building a high-status, high-retention profession

The report calls for bold and urgent action to address these challenges. Key recommendations include:

• Improve teacher compensation: Competitive salaries and career progression opportunities are essential to attract and retain qualified teachers.
• Support teacher well-being: Reduce workloads, enhance support systems, and prioritise mental health in school environments.
• Elevate teacher status: Foster respect for the teaching profession through strong social dialogue, equitable resources, and meaningful engagement in decision-making.
• Invest in public education: Governments must commit to fair funding for public education and resist privatisation trends.

The report serves as a vital tool to mobilise action, aligning with EI’s Go Public! Fund Education campaign, which advocates for increased public investment in education and the teaching profession.

Call for action

During the launch, EI General Secretary David Edwards called on governments and stakeholders to act decisively, stating: “Today, we come together to end the acute global teacher shortage putting the right to education at risk for millions of students. Our new report offers critical insights and a global consensus on how to strengthen the teaching profession. Now, we must organize and mobilize to compel governments to act."

EI’s President Mugwena Maluleke added: "The Global Status of Teachers report calls for bold action: addressing teacher shortages through better pay and manageable workloads, prioritising retention with supportive environments, promoting equity and strengthening social dialogue to tackle education challenges collectively. The Go Public! Fund Education campaign advocates for increased funding for teachers and public education worldwide."

Get involved

Explore the full findings and recommendations of the 2024 Global Status of Teachers Report. Download the full report, read an exclusive blog by the authors, and access our communications toolkit to amplify the message. Join EI’s Go Public! Fund Education campaign to advocate for quality, inclusive, and well-funded public education systems.