CONTENTS

LIST OF ABBREVIATIONS 5

LIST OF FIGURES 6

LIST OF TABLES 6

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY 7

INTRODUCTION 9

1.1. Objectives and structure of the study 10

TEACHER SHORTAGES – UNPACKING THE MAIN ISSUES 12

2.1. What do we mean by teacher shortages? 12

2.2. Context matters: National models of teacher regulation 14

2.3. Wider issues in European societies 16

2.4. Improving the attractiveness of the teaching profession 17

MAPPING TEACHER SHORTAGES IN EUROPE 18

3.1. Shortage patterns: What is the current situation? 18

3.1.1. Teacher shortages reported to European Labour Authority 18

3.1.2. Unfilled teaching vacancies 20

3.1.3. The use of non-fully qualified teachers 20

3.1.4. The perspective of school leaders on the implications of teacher shortages for quality instruction 21

3.1.5. Shortages over period 2012-2021 22

3.1.6. Summary of current shortages 23

3.2. Shortage patterns: Prospects 24

3.2.1. Ageing of the teacher workforce and demographic developments 25

3.2.2. Intentions to leave the profession 27

3.2.3. Teachers leaving the profession due to resignation or retirement 28

3.2.4. Planning and forecasting teacher supply and demand 30

TEACHER SHORTAGES AND THE ATTRACTIVENESS OF THE PROFESSION – WHICH FACTORS MATTER? 32

4.1. Supporting teaching as a ‘first choice’ profession 32

4.2. Financial factors 35

4.3. Balancing job resources and demands 37

4.4. Implications for ITE and CPD 39

CASE STUDIES 41

5.1. Estonia: A new teacher career model 42

5.1.1. Teacher shortages in Estonia 42

5.1.2. Policy actions in Estonia 43

5.2. Italy: Countering institutionalised precariousness 43

5.2.1. Teacher shortages in Italy 44

5.2.2. Policy actions in Italy 45

5.3. The Netherlands: In search of policy coherence 46

5.3.1. Teacher shortages in the Netherlands 47

5.3.2. Policy actions in the Netherlands 47

5.4. Poland: A focus on financing and regional differences 49

5.4.1. Teacher shortages in Poland 49

5.4.2. Policy actions in Poland 50

POLICY RECOMMENDATIONS 52

6.1. Recommendations for national level action 53

6.2. Recommendations for EU level action 55

REFERENCES 57

ANNEX 64

A. Methodology of the study 64

B. Main indicators in Teachers’ Dashboard 65

C. Teacher shortages in EU Member States — Country Overview 66

D. Selected Teachers’ Dashboard Indicators for Case Countries 69

E. Overview of recent policy actions to address teacher shortages 71