Speaking on the International Day of Education at the edtech conference Bett UK in London, Borhene Chakroun emphasised that conflict situations, as well as discriminatory education systems, are limiting students’ access to education.

A shortage of teachers is an “almost universal problem” and government policies are failing to attract, retain and properly train teachers.

“We are missing 44 million teachers to achieve SDG4 by 2030, mostly at the secondary level,” he said.

Globally, the rate of attrition ranges from 3-12% in different economies, and in many countries the teaching workforce is expressing an interest in leaving the profession.

There is a lack of valorisation and interest in a vocation that “we all think is one of the most noble on earth”, he continued.

His thoughts agreed with findings of the COBIS report released earlier this year that found 91% of its international school members responding find it “somewhat or very challenging” to recruit the required quality of teaching staff.

“If there is political will, there are actions”

“If there is political will, there are actions,” Chakroun added.

Along with adding value to the profession of teaching, Chakroun said that governments need to be offering a career development plan for teachers.

Currently, individuals without qualifications are able to enter the field. Globally, some 15% of teachers are not meeting the minimum qualifications to access the profession, while in Africa this can rise to 40%, he said.

Proper training is especially necessary as teachers try to keep up with developments that will inevitably change the role of teachers.

“If technology is used not for pedagogical purposes and not starting from what teachers are trying to achieve, it doesn’t help learning outcomes and it can distract children and learners from the pedagogical purpose,” he said of new technology.

But Chakroun added that technology is evolving at a very fast pace, making it difficult to measure the beneficial outcomes for students.

“Our research takes time,” he said. “By the time we have the data, the landscape has changed.”

By not valuing or ensuring the right working conditions of the profession, there have been strikes all over the world, from the UK, Canada and Morocco, Chakroun concluded.

And teachers need to be involved in the policy making.

“In many countries the reforms are designed in ministries and then they are dropped into schools. It’s very important that teachers as a voice participate in the reforms of education and are an active partner in this,” he concluded.