While a shortage in the supply of qualified teachers is most prominent in sub-Saharan Africa and Arab States,(4) all regions need to significantly invest in teachers, including by providing appropriate salaries and quality training. Developed countries are not immune to the effects of teacher shortages and must also take concerted action. Within the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) - an international organisation of primarily Western and European States - teachers’ salaries are in general less than the average annual wage for employees with a similar level of education.(5) Ensuring a constant supply of qualified and motivated teachers is a critical step to combat the staggering global illiteracy rates, especially in girls and women, who account for two thirds of the world’s 774 million illiterate.(6)
The International Federation of University Women (IFUW) is based in Geneva, Switzerland, and has an international membership. Founded in 1919, IFUW is the leading girls’ and women’s global organisation advocating for women’s rights, equality and empowerment through access to quality education and training up to the highest levels. IFUW is in special consultative status with ECOSOC and is an NGO maintaining official relations with UNESCO.
For more information, please contact: Aoife Hegarty T: +41 22 731 23 80; Email: [email protected]Learn about our grants & fellowships and our advocacy work. Follow us on Facebook, LinkedIn and Twitter (@IFUWomen).
(1)UNESCO(2013)http://www.uis.unesco.org/Education/Documents/fs27-2013-teachers-projections.pdf(2)UNESCO http://www.uis.unesco.org/Education/Pages/global-teacher-shortage.aspx(3)UNICEF http://data.unicef.org/education/secondary (4)UNESCO http://www.uis.unesco.org/Education/Pages/world-teachers-day-2013.aspx (5)OECD(2011) http://www.oecd-ilibrary.org/sites/gov_glance-2011-en/06/01/index.html;jsessionid=3pvkmxbn5shlv.x-oecd-live-02?itemId=/content/chapter/gov_glance-2011-31-en&_csp_=3f0c56b964e27a8505088f5991d15792(6)UNESCO(2013) http://www.unesco.org/new/fileadmin/MULTIMEDIA/HQ/ED/GMR/images/2011/girls-factsheet-en.pdf