World faces teacher shortfall as South Africa marks educators

A global estimate that the world needs 44 million additional primary and secondary teachers by 2030, alongside at least 6 million more preprimary educators in some countries, framed World Teachers’ Day on October 5. UNESCO, the International Labour Organization, UNICEF and Education International called for action to address the reported shortfall, while South African officials, unions and education authorities marked the day with recognition of teachers and attention to workplace pressures. The combined figure of roughly 50 million draws on two separate UNESCO reports published in 2024. One estimates that 44 million additional teachers are needed at primary and secondary levels to meet education goals by 2030. The other, produced with UNICEF, estimates that low- and lower-middle-income countries need at least 6 million more preprimary educators to reach specified enrollment benchmarks. The figures cover different stages of education and populations. In South Africa, Basic Education Minister Siviwe Gwarube said more than 13,300 early childhood development centres were registered in the previous year, exceeding a target of 10,000.