The teacher shortage negatively affects thousands of students in Sub-Saharan Africa and worldwide. This article will discuss why it is so important to fight against the teacher shortage and some ways you can help.

What is the Teacher Shortage, and Why is it Happening?

The teacher shortage is the inability to fill vacancies in teaching positions around the world due to low wages, lack of resources, etc. According to the United Nations (UN), education has changed drastically (especially in recent years), including the rise of technology in the learning environment, deteriorating working conditions, and more. The UN states: “Today, teachers are overworked, undervalued and underpaid, and more and more are forced to leave the profession. At the same time, fewer young people aspire to be teachers.”

Teachers face many challenges in their profession, which is constantly demanding and can be extremely stressful at times. For these reasons and many others, the teacher shortage has become much more serious.

Why is it Important to Fight the Teacher Shortage?

According to UNESCO, there is currently “an urgent need for 44 million primary and secondary teachers worldwide by 2030. This includes a demand for seven out of ten teachers at the secondary level and a need to replace over half of the existing teachers leaving the profession. Sub-Saharan Africa is especially affected, with an estimated need for 15 million new teachers by 2030.”

Sub-Saharan Africa not only experiences extreme poverty, but its population is rapidly increasing, with not enough teachers to keep up. This affects the educational experience for students because it can lead to classroom overcrowding and also lower levels of learning and retention. In some cases, it can even discourage students from attending school altogether, exacerbating the extreme cycle of poverty.

Teachers have the unique opportunity to make an impact on the lives of their students, both inside and outside of the classroom. Their job is to educate and inspire future generations of changemakers and leaders, and through their work, they provide a way for students to realize their potential. Because of this, fighting the teacher shortage is crucial in ensuring quality education for all students and giving them tools to help them succeed.

Related: The Importance of Teachers to Education

3 Ways to Fight the Teacher Shortage

With the decline in educators comes a need to support teachers still working and to inspire others to become teachers as well. The power of education is priceless, which is why we must be an active part of bringing education to as many students as possible. Here are some ways that you can help fight the teacher shortage/promote equal education for all:

1. Increase financial support

Some ways to increase financial support for teachers include:

• Investing in teacher recruitment and retention (through both domestic and international funding)
• Increasing teachers’ salaries
• Funding teacher wishlists, school supplies, and classroom resources

Education is historically underfunded and can greatly benefit from financial support, which can ease worries when teaching and therefore provide a better teaching experience overall.

2. Improve teacher trainings

Teacher trainings that are optimized for both student learning and teacher support can help to build a stronger team of qualified teachers. Continuous professional development ensures that teachers are properly equipped to do their jobs successfully and to take care of their students.

3. Emphasize the importance of diversity

Diversity is important in making both teachers and students feel included and supported in the school environment. It also helps fight against educational inequities that can cause harm to the student learning experience. 

When students see themselves represented in their teachers, they are more likely to be excited about learning and attending school. Female teachers are in especially low numbers compared to male teachers, and minorities in general are seen less often in the teaching profession—this needs to change.

Related: Closing the gap – Ensuring there are enough qualified and supported teachers in sub-Saharan Africa

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