New figures show that teacher shortage is not decreasing
New figures from the Ministry of Education show that schools have difficulty finding new teachers. For example, there were three times as many vacancies in primary education in the past school year compared to the 2014/2015 school year. Secondary schools are mainly affected by the shortage subjects.
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Today sent education ministers Arie Slob (ChristenUnie) and Ingrid van Engelshoven (D66) presented the latest figures on the education labor market to the House of Representatives. The letter used many different data, such as the number of vacancies, the intake and the personnel numbers per education sector.
The figures show that finding enough good teachers for schools is becoming increasingly difficult. The ministers write that the number of online vacancies in primary education has tripled in the past three years. In addition, less than five candidates responded to 70 percent of the vacancies last school year. This percentage rose sharply compared to the previous school year, when it concerned 43 percent of the vacancies.
Deficiency
The Ministry of Education expects a shortage of 2023 full-time teachers in the 2024/4.200 school year. In previous forecasts, this shortfall was expected a year earlier, but the magnitude remains comparable. In addition, relatively many older teachers work in primary education. Almost a quarter are 55 years or older and they will retire in the coming years. A forecast for ten years later shows that the shortages in all regions could amount to ten thousand FTEs.
A forecast for ten years later shows that shortages in all regions could reach up to ten thousand FTEs
In secondary education, the Ministry of Education foresees a shortage of 2023 FTEs in 2024/1075, whereby the shortages in the Randstad will be more serious than in the region. In the case of shortage courses, the situation will become more dire in the coming years. Secondary schools will find it more difficult to find suitable teachers for mathematics, physics, German, French, chemistry and classical languages.
Shortage courses
Just as in primary education, fewer candidates responded to vacancies in secondary education. Last school year, less than five candidates applied for 41 percent of the vacancies. A year earlier this was still the case for 26 percent of the vacancies. According to schools, two out of five vacancies were difficult to fill. The teacher shortage in secondary education is reflected in the share of lessons given by unqualified teachers. In 2017, this was 4,3 percent of the lessons, but the percentage for mathematics was 8. 'It is likely that shortages will be solved by having teachers teach without qualifications', the ministers said in their letter.
The number of vacancies also rose in MBO, but the increase is less than in the other education sectors. In MBO, there are already shortages in technical subjects.
The education ministers write that the new figures are cause for concern and that structural measures are needed. 'There is no question of a bump in the trend that will pass by itself', the ministers write about primary education. The ministers refer to their measures that should turn the tide. For example, they focus on drawing on the hidden reserve and on lateral inflow. They also want better progression in teacher training and have halved tuition fees.
There is no bump in the trend that will go away on its own
According to the ministers, it is not yet possible to say whether these measures will actually help. Their approach to the teacher shortage did not come until 2017.
More investments
AObchairman Liesbeth Verheggen says that the latest figures again show that substantial investments are required. The AOb announced last week a nationwide education strike on March 15 in The Hague. “When I look at our recent survey about the teacher shortage there is no evidence that the measures taken by the ministry have already been successful. Our survey shows that school teams are under pressure and that schools have to work with emergency solutions every week to keep things going. Structurally more money is needed for education to make the profession more attractive. "
