Recent UNESCO research estimates that 69 million new teachers will be needed to meet the ambitious sustainable development agenda. Schools in sub-Saharan Africa and Southern Asia are suffering most from the teacher shortage, needing 14.6 million new staff members, according to the report published to coincide with World Teachers’ Day on Oct. 5.
However, recruiting new teachers is only part of the battle; achieving the Sustainable Development Goal of ensuring inclusive and quality education will require a wider set of innovations and reforms that go beyond simply hiring more teaching staff.
That was the message from global education experts convened during the World Bank annual meetings to discuss how leadership development could improve global education.
Read more stories on education:
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► Privatized education's growing role requires data, attention and planning
► An early look at Chan Zuckerberg Initiative's investments in education
► Julia Gillard on new 'information and data journey' for education
► Universal education champions fight 'primary' battle of their own
About the author
Sophie Edwards
Sophie Edwards is a Devex Contributing Reporter covering global education, water and sanitation, and innovative financing, along with other topics. She has previously worked for NGOs, and the World Bank, and spent a number of years as a journalist for a regional newspaper in the U.K. She has a master's degree from the Institute of Development Studies and a bachelor's from Cambridge University.
