First Edition, March 2025
Commonwealth Teachers Group (CTG)
A global shortage with local challenges
Although teacher shortages have become a global crisis, their causes and consequences vary across regions and local
contexts. In Australia, nearly half of teachers report they may leave the profession within five years, citing stress,
workload, and inadequate pay. The United Kingdom faces similar challenges, where excessive workloads, rising
privatisation in education, and the pressures of standardised testing have made teaching an increasingly unattractive
career.
The report finds that in many countries, teachers are paid significantly less than other professionals with comparable
qualifications, making teaching one of the lowest-paid professions relative to skill level. In South Africa, for example,
experienced teachers earn far less than mid-career professionals in other fields, leading to high turnover rates. The
situation is even more severe in rural areas, where underqualified or unqualified staff are often leading classrooms
due to a lack of trained teachers.
A similar challenge is unfolding across the Caribbean, where poor salaries and limited career progression have driven a
wave of emigration among teachers. Many educators are seeking better-paying opportunities abroad, further
depleting local education systems of experienced professionals.
In India, a different but equally concerning trend has emerged. The reliance on untrained contract teachers—who
often work without job security or benefits—has further destabilised the profession. Without long-term investment in
permanent teaching positions, teacher retention will continue to decline, weakening public education systems in the
long run.
Even in countries with well-funded public education systems, teacher shortages remain a pressing issue. In Canada,
early retirements and high attrition rates, particularly in STEM subjects and special education, are placing immense
strain on schools. Rising workloads and stagnating salaries have only worsened the situation, discouraging young
people from entering the profession and prompting experienced teachers to leave.
Rebuilding a high-status, high-retention profession
The Global Status of Teachers report calls for bold and urgent action to address the crisis in the teaching profession.
.Governments and stakeholders must ensure competitive salaries, job security, and clear career progression
opportunities. Without fair pay and stable career prospects, education systems will continue to lose their best
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educators.
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